I have a 1992 3.1 Firebird. The other day I hit the gas pedal to get on the freeway and the car started acting sluggish. It felt like the transmission was slipping because I had the rev the engine much higher than usual to get to freeway speed.

After a few miles I had to push the pedal down farther just to maintain speed, all the while the RPMs are getting higher. I almost made it home when the engine died. It started again, but was running like crap. Eventually the car was just running like crap and lost all power. But it wasn't over revving.

Now the car will start and run like crap for a few moments before it dies.

At first I thought it was the transmission, because it felt like it was slipping on the freeway, but now I'm not sure because if it was the tranny, wouldn't the engine idle just fine?

Thanks for any help.

 

Yeah, as far as I know how your engine idles has little to nothing to do with your transmission. Check for vacuum leaks, and your IAC valve, as well as your tps sensor.

 

It just seemed like the transmission at first, it took a while (10 miles) before the engine started running like crap.

I thought it might be a vacuum leak, but I couldn't see any evidence of a massive vacuum leak. Also, I don't think it's the IAC, since it also runs like crap while giving it gas. I'll have to check on the TPS.

 

When was the last time the fuel filter was replaced? Remove a spark plug and note its color, do the same for one on the other side of the engine. Have the ignition module tested at a parts store.

 

As for the transmission, TCC maybe?

 

A misfire will make the car feel as though the trans is slipping at speed... And can gradually get worse, as in this case, where the engine won't run at all for whatever reason.

 

True, but when he said that he had to keep putting the pedal further down to hold speed it sounded like a TCC not working correctly, you and I both know what thats like. Thank god mine started working correctly again with a computer reset.

 

TCC won't affect the engine running unless he has an ECM problem.