Grand Prix needs some help!

**horvath** · 05-20-2009

Okay so my 97 3.8L GP GT needs some major help. It has sat for about 3 months due to me getting a new Tundra. I know it is awful of me to leave it sitting there that long but I also go to school out of town and...well, it just happens...

After starting it for the first time and taking it down the road, I noticed that the front end would shake while I was stopped. Everything seems fine while driving. Also the "service engine soon" light is flashing, which tells me the problem is critical. After examining everything under the hood, I noticed that the spark plug area is smoking a bit and it seems like the car is missing out.

Can anybody shed some light on what I should do or where to start? The nearest shop is about 7 miles away. I would tow it but I want to avoid the tow bill and shop bill if it is a simple fix. I am also worried about driving it 7 miles and making the problem worse...

Thanks in advance!!!

TDCRacing · 05-20-2009

Well if you can't get it scanned to see what the code is then It's going to be hard. Check all of your plugs and wires. Make sure you are getting fire to all cylinders. It could be a coil pack. Among many,many other things.

**Zef_66** · 05-20-2009

Originally Posted by TDCRacing

Well if you can't get it scanned to see what the code is then It's going to be hard. Check all of your plugs and wires. Make sure you are getting fire to all cylinders. It could be a coil pack. Among many,many other things.

The flashing SES light means that you have multiple misfires. No need for a code reader to know that. So my advice would be to put in a set of new plugs and wires. I would start there.

The shaking when stopping can be a variety of things. First thing that came to mind was that the tires flat spotted from sitting so long. Or the brake rotors need turned.

But get the mis-fire straight first, then go from there.

**horvath** · 05-20-2009

Thank you very much! I apprecitate everything. I checked the tires and they don't appear to have any flat spots on them. If there were a flat spot wouldn't I notice it driving down the road instead of just at a stop?

**Sabrewings** · 05-20-2009

I think he misunderstood you. He thought you meant while you were stopping, not once you've already stopped. The shaking while stopped is probably the misfires.