Odd engine problem

[greddy2race]

I have a 99 Grand am GT1 sedan, it has been having this engine problem. It has been stalling, or trouble starting when hot. It is also overheating but thats a different issue all together. I have a video that shows what it is doing. I'm am just confused. Not sure if its an electrical problem, or an air/fuel problem....
Please help

[AaronGTR]

could be a lot of things. That isn't much to go on.

I'd start looking for head gasket leaks, clogged catalytic convertor, and things like that. Might want to pull the spark plugs and see what they look like. Could be getting a bad misfire maybe. And get the computer checked for trouble codes. You also have the brake and ABS lights on, but those should be unrelated to the engine problems.

[greddy2race]

Well I just got this car today and driving it home one of the coolant hoses in the back came off, and then the stuttering happened and I got it home before it got too hot. But when I would come to a light or need to stop it would stall. The only way I kept it running was by holding the rpms at about 2k. All of this takes place parked not driving. Also had a strange symptom where my heater was blowing cold air, not normal outside temp air but it felt like a/c cold air, and my a/c needs recharged.

[UndeadGods]

Did u replace the hose? I'm assuming that the hose that you are talking about is the heater core hose.

Did you top up the coolant afterwards?
Did you lose any coolant?
Did you bleed the system for air bubbles?

[greddy2race]

I believe it was the heater core hose and I reattached it, it just came undone. But I tried to bleed the system but my car doesn't run long enough to do it myself. That's the problem I'm having. I noticed the battery light comes on for a split second when it stutters.

[greddy2race]

ok well found out the bleeder valve was leaking, so replaced that and re bled the system now everything works fine, including the engine stutter... odd, but now the ses light is on with an o2 sensor problem. I guess it'll always have something going on.

[UndeadGods]

Originally Posted by greddy2race

ok well found out the bleeder valve was leaking, so replaced that and re bled the system now everything works fine, including the engine stutter... odd, but now the ses light is on with an o2 sensor problem. I guess it'll always have something going on.

Welcome to owning a Grand Am .

Did you get your car scanned by an OBDII?

[DaRkWaVe]

My car ran like that after I did a head gasket change. I put my fist through a wall because I thought the motor was ruined, but it turned out I forgot to clean the coolant/oil jelly out of my PCV valve. Good times.

[greddy2race]

I did get it scanned but it came up no definition.... but the auto zone guy said something about a O2 sensor malfunction, but that happened after I fixed the bleeder valve.

[locoman99]

Originally Posted by greddy2race

I did get it scanned but it came up no definition.... but the auto zone guy said something about a O2 sensor malfunction, but that happened after I fixed the bleeder valve.

prob bad heater in the 02...does it stumble when cold and run good when warmed up?

[greddy2race]

Yes it does actually, so replacing the O2 sensor should help

[locoman99]

Originally Posted by greddy2race

Yes it does actually, so replacing the O2 sensor should help

yep. It needs replaced. Soak it with wd-40 or pb blaster and let it soak a few hours cold and it will make it come out alot easier.

[greddy2race]

Still having the starting issue, now coupled with a charging issue. Battery keeps running down so I need to get it jumped. I have a new alternator and a new battery and it keeps happening. When I try to start it, the car cranks but it doesn't want to start. And now when driving at night the battery dies very quickly, it seems like all the electronics are being run by the battery and the alternator isn't doing anything.

Any ideas on these issues?

[locoman99]

Originally Posted by greddy2race

Still having the starting issue, now coupled with a charging issue. Battery keeps running down so I need to get it jumped. I have a new alternator and a new battery and it keeps happening. When I try to start it, the car cranks but it doesn't want to start. And now when driving at night the battery dies very quickly, it seems like all the electronics are being run by the battery and the alternator isn't doing anything.

Any ideas on these issues?

Im guessing the o2 fixed the cold stumble? First "new" does nt always mean good. Cheap chinese reman alts are often bad out of the box. First take it to a parts store and get it tested...

[greddy2race]

yes o2 sensor fixed that and it doesn't run super rich anymore, but I guess I will have o get this one tested now, my old one was doing the exact same thing and it tested ok but still.

[Kayaus]

Does your GA always run that hot??? The hottest I've ever seen my block get is like 220, but it usually always goes back down to ~200.

[greddy2race]

It used to run that hot now it averages about 190, unless i try to use the a/c or heat, it sends it over the top when I turn the air on.... I don't know why.

[locoman99]

Originally Posted by greddy2race

yes o2 sensor fixed that and it doesn't run super rich anymore, but I guess I will have o get this one tested now, my old one was doing the exact same thing and it tested ok but still.

Then u can prob eliminate the alt as your cause. All you cables and grounds good?

[greddy2race]

The grounds are all good but I haven't had time to check all the connections with a voltmeter yet.

[UndeadGods]

Originally Posted by greddy2race

It used to run that hot now it averages about 190, unless i try to use the a/c or heat, it sends it over the top when I turn the air on.... I don't know why.

Is the coolant level okay?