Gerry Pierce

Put new plugs in the day before yesterday. Got done, car ran good for about
15-20 miles. Stopped for a minute to wait on my son, when I restarted, the
idle was very rough. When you step on the gas, it is very sluggish and
rough, then smooths out as the rpms climb above 1500. I went back, replaced
all plug wires (the ones that were in there looked original (had a date on
them of 1993) and put all new plugs in again. I still get the same
indications. I checked for loose vacuum lines and connections, only one was
vacuum on the EGR valve. I trimmed the end, it is now tight and I can see
the egr valve diaphram moving open and closed through the little openings in
it. It idles in park ok (not as smooth as before) but once in drive, it is
rough.

Also, maybe related, maybe not. Auto tranny seems sluggish to down shift
beyond the first time (step on the gas, it does down 1 gear, but WOT doesn't
get any more down shifts.

I am at a loss on where to go now. Car ran good up to the point that I shut
it off that time. I am a little short on funds, so I would rather not take
it into the dealer yet. Any ideas on what to try?


Second question, what are the indications of a bad/going bad catalytic
convertor?

Thanks for any help....

Gerry