I have a 1989 2.8L V6 Automatic Camaro RS and the rpms keep dropping randomly. The check engine light is on but i don't have a code checker to use. It used to only happen after driving for like ten minutes but now it does it from the start of driving. I can be accelerating, decelerating, or nothing and they still drop like crazy. Any suggestions on what it might be?

 

Is the motor itself dropping off or just the tach showing low? If the motor isn't dropping off, its probably a tach error. I know the tach is a major issue in the 90-92 cars and could be in an 89 also.

 

It's not just the tach. For instance, when I accelerate after a stop or something it feels like the motor lags almost.

 

hmmm, interesting. Fuel filter perhaps. Has it had a tune up lately?

 

Has it progressively gotten worse? Could be the timing chain or a fuel problem.

 

you can use a jumper wire on the diagnostic plug under steering wheel to get the codes. I'd start there. Definitely could be fuel pressure related or electrical, a code could help narrow it down.

 

No, I haven't had a tune up lately. It kind of has gotten worse. Before it happened after 10 minutes of driving and the rpms dropped really hard and fast but now it starts when i turn the car on and it drops only slightly now, not so hard and fast as before.

 

how many miles on the car?

 

181,000 total miles

 

Could be due for a new distributor. I had to replace mine in my z28 at 141k. It was "chugging" off and on. I am wondering if that might be similar to what you are experiencing.

 

o2 sensor getting worse making it run real rich? Just a thought.