Lately my car has been surging lightly at idle. I have read that this may be the fuel filter... if anybody has any ideas, car is in the sig. Also, the check engine light sometimes comes on in the morning on my way to school, it will flash and the car will sort of bog out, then go back to normal, then it will happen again, the car never stalls, and it goes away very quickly, but I would still like to figure it out before it leaves me strande on the side of the freeway! Also, this problem never occurs if the engine temp is at it's correct temp. Thanks

 

i would find out what code your computer is getting with the CES light.

as far as i know there is no code for the fuel filter, but if it is bad, you could possible get a 'lean exaust' code to the computer.

 

I'd suggest looking at the Idle Air Control valve. I doubt you need to replace it as it's obviously working, but I would suggest cleaning out the chamber. Remove the IAC and blast the hole with carb cleaner.

 

Youngin,

It's probably the commonly known incompatibility of the Clarion 4 x 6 speakers and the 5% rear window tint, causing the acoustic/optical calibration to fall beyond the limits of the sensing range of the OEM vehicle operating computer. That happens to me all the time - my head gets stuck in such darkened recesses in the rear that I can't hear what I'm saying.

As for your problem, it isn't that much different. Try to listen to what your vehicle ECM is telling you. Scan for error codes to "see" what it is saying. This method works for me:

First, you'll need to acquire a GM OBD I ECM Diagnostic Trouble Code Retrieval Tool (commonly known as a paper clip to TGO members).

With the engine and ignition turned off, locate the ALDL connector under the dash, just to the right of the steering wheel in the driver's foot well area. There should be a small rectangular cover over the access hole in the lower dash trim.



Insert a tool as described above (paper clip) into the 'A' and 'B' terminals on the ALDL connector:



WITHOUT STARTING the engine, turn the ignition to the "RUN" position. Watch the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) - it will begin to flash. This is also commonly called the "Service Engine Soon" or "SES" lamp. The first code will flash three times, and will usually be a code '12'. This is encoded by one flash of the lamp, a brief pause, then two successive flashes of the lamp. Each code will repeat three times, so you should see a "Code 12" flash three times. Any other error codes will follow in numerical order, and each code should flash three times. After all codes have been displayed three times, the "Code 12" will again flash three times, then all other codes will follow as described earlier. This cycle will continue until the jumper is removed or the ignition is turned off.

After you have made a note of all error codes, turn off the ignition and remove the jumper immediately. If you forget to remove the jumper and attempt to start the engine with it in place, you could damage the ECM. For this reason you should remove it immediately.

Once you have a note of all error codes, check this file for the decoding:

GM Error Codes.pdf.

(You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view/print the file.)