Gerry Pierce

"CCTGENE" <cctgene@att.net> wrote in message
news:3Ezzf.498978$zb5.335105@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>
> "Gerry Pierce" <gpierce123@msn.com> wrote in message
> news:mawzf.59182$QW2.52773@dukeread08...
>>
>> "Backyard Mechanic" <pettyfog@yaywho.com> wrote in message
>> news:Xns974F6D0786DDApettyfogery@207.115.17.102...
>>> "Gerry Pierce" <gpierce123@msn.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> 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?
>>>>
>>>
>>> First get the codes read out.
>>>
>>> Is Check engine on?
>>>
>>> Second.... the age of car and symptoms point to possible bad Throttle
>>> Position Sensor...that's a stab at it, of course
>>>
>>
>> No check engine light. No smell of gas in the exhaust (re your next
>> post). Will look up the TPS and see what I can find out, although I wont
>> know what to do to check it out. May end up taking it in to get codes
>> read.... will just have to bite the bullet and pay for the diagnostic
>> fee.
>>
>> Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it.
>>
>> Gerry
>>Based upon your description of the symptoms, my guess would be you got an
>>EGR problem. A car with a leaky EGR valve will idle and run like crap
>>until you get around 2000 rpm and then it will smooth out. Just because
>>you see the EGR diaphragm moving doesn't mean that the valve is closing
>>all the way. I would pull the valve and check it out.
>

Thanks. When I pull it, what am I looking for? I pulled the sensor off the
end of it and looked inside, but all I can see is what looks like a diapram
and a spring.

Gerry