Thread: Bucking hesitation, extremely intermittent.

I have a 2005 Loaded Grand Prix Base (don't know why the orig owner got a base with all the options..) with just shy of 124k but aside from the fact.

I have a bucking or hesitation that happens intermittently it does not matter if its hot or cold. Usually if it is bucking and I restart the car, it goes away.

I'm lost. I have no check engine lights, no apparent misfires or anything out of the ordinary. I am posting this in engine but maybe its transmission? I know cars pretty well but this one has me stumped. Don't know where to start.

It is the 3.8. Is MAF a common problem?

Try cleaning the MAF. I've never had an issue with the MAF and I'm at 205k, cleaning it is always a first start. Other than that clean the backside of your throttle body. If you are going to be cleaning the MAF, you're pretty much done 1/3 of the work to get to the throttle body. DO NOT clean them with the same cleaner though!! Try this and then see if that solves the problem. Otherwise the crankshaft position sensor (CPS) could be your problem. If the problem seems to go away after a restart the CPS is a pretty good giveaway, and it doesn't always pop a code.

Be warned though, if it turns out it is the CPS or even the MAF DO NOT go with "budget" parts. Get AC Delco or equivalent. You don't necessarily have to go to the dealer, but no budget parts. I learned a hard lesson here when you go budget, never again.