Wednesday Morning Blues: Sluggish Car

Posts : 223 Join date : 2012-09-22 Location : Western MA

Just after leaving my driveway this morning, I wanted to accelerate to get some distance between myself and a truck that was coming up behind me. The Roadmaster was sluggish and felt almost like it was just going to cut out. A mile down the road, the SES light came on for a few seconds. The sluggishness got better, but the car still feels "off."

Of course, my first suspicion is the Opti cap. I have asked the previous owner whethere the car ever had a major tune-up during his period of ownership. If not, then at 157k miles, it probably never has and needs one.

It was damp and drizzly this morning, so maybe that is part of the problem if it is Opti related, although I thought that by '95 they were vented and no longer suffered from moisture issues inside.

Posts : 4294 Join date : 2009-12-16

The vent didn't really solve anything IMO. My old '95 had real trouble with the opti in the cold and wet. Put in a new one (2) and lasted all last year no issues. See if there is a code stored.

Subject: Re: Wednesday Morning Blues: Sluggish Car Wed Oct 10, 2012 12:51 pm

Pull the codes and go from there. Download and keep with you the handy glove box guide on how to pull the codes from the climate control and what they mean. I complied this from the SS forum a while back. I have had a similar problem with 2 wagons, both time it was a failing O2 sensor. When it kicks the light on it goes into open loop and ran better for me as it stopped relying on the bad sensor.
http://ex-vtc.gotdns.com/downloads/Roadmaster_HVAC.pdf

Posts : 4292 Join date : 2009-03-20 Location : Revere, MA

You know the RMW climate control panel is also has OBD's too right?

If you didnt know that.... you need the info I have in my glovebox as to how to access that info

I'll try to grab it out of the car tonight (its parked at home)

PM me with your email address & I'll scan & email....or let me know what other method you prefer

Posts : 223 Join date : 2012-09-22 Location : Western MA

I didn't really understand what you guys were talking about at first with this HVAC stuff. I actually went out to my car tonight with my OBDII scanner, thinking it was backwards compatible with OBDI as well. Of course, it isn't. Then I read what you wrote again and looked at that link. So, I can read all my PCM codes via the HVAC panel and don't need a separate scanner? If so, that's awesome.

Posts : 2182 Join date : 2009-01-21 Age : 36 Location : NH

Your ignition coil wire is all corroded at the coil end and you need a new EGR valve.

Just a guess.

All b-body opit's are vented. '92-'94 Vettes and '93-'94 F-bodies got an unvented opti.

Once you try a vented opti you'll never go back, trust me.

Unvented Opti internal #1

Unvented Opti internal #2

Posts : 4292 Join date : 2009-03-20 Location : Revere, MA

Bull wrote:: ........Then I read what you wrote again and looked at that link.

So, I can read all my PCM codes via the HVAC panel and don't need a separate scanner? If so, that's awesome.

Yes, you can & yes....yes it is.

Thats EXACTLY what I said when I found out.

Lets see if I can remember to grab that info between now & departure. Very Happy

Subject: Re: Wednesday Morning Blues: Sluggish Car Thu Oct 11, 2012 7:50 am

Bull wrote:: I didn't really understand what you guys were talking about at first with this HVAC stuff. I actually went out to my car tonight with my OBDII scanner, thinking it was backwards compatible with OBDI as well. Of course, it isn't. Then I read what you wrote again and looked at that link. So, I can read all my PCM codes via the HVAC panel and don't need a separate scanner? If so, that's awesome.

Yes, the link I posted tells you how to pull the codes.

Posts : 4292 Join date : 2009-03-20 Location : Revere, MA

Dont know how I missed Daves post....doh
OK then.....but at least I remembered to grab the stuff this AM..

Posts : 223 Join date : 2012-09-22 Location : Western MA

95brmw wrote:: Pull the codes and go from there. Download and keep with you the handy glove box guide on how to pull the codes from the climate control and what they mean. I complied this from the SS forum a while back. I have had a similar problem with 2 wagons, both time it was a failing O2 sensor. When it kicks the light on it goes into open loop and ran better for me as it stopped relying on the bad sensor.
http://ex-vtc.gotdns.com/downloads/Roadmaster_HVAC.pdf

This link isn't working for me anymore; does it work for you guys?

Admin Posts : 1525 Join date : 2009-01-17 Age : 55

All OBD1 codes are accessible without a scanner no matter the car. You can also access a tach through your HVAC. If anyone upgraded the control unit in the caddy for the RM version, you can still do it.

Posts : 4292 Join date : 2009-03-20 Location : Revere, MA

Now dont go jumping forums.... Laughing

but try this...

http://www.buickforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=43614#post43614

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