This just hasn't been my year with this thing...More problems.

[SexySilhouette]

After 6 years of mostly solid reliability, the van -1995 Olds Silhouette L27 3.8 - may be parked permanently...The transmission has been rebuilt, the A/C system has been completely replaced, new LIM, new plenum, new ICM, new brakes all the way around, new front hubs, new tires and more.

Lately I've been having a bad hesitation. I've put in new plugs, wires, coils, ICM, crank sensor, cam sensor, related wiring, done a compression test, fuel pressure test, checked it on TunerPro RT, and it's still there.

It also "pounds" at cruising speed. Like the TCC is stuck, It goes away if I tap the brake pedal or accelerate, but gets worse at deceleration.

Plus the A/C is still leaking, it takes about 2 weeks for it all to leak out. I've put dye in and nothing shows up.

So I guess I'll ask here before giving up.

[Duke George V]

Have you cleaned the MAF recently? What kind of gas do you use?

[85_Ciera_Rebuild]

bad hesitation...."pounds" at cruising speed.

Hook vacuum gauge up to a true intake vacuum....drive around, and notate vacuum readings at idle, light load, heavy load, and deacceleration.

Unplug brake booster's vacuum-line, and plug it off....here where stopped at home, check vacuum at idle, and at a higher RPM....then unplug brake booster's vacuum-line and plug it. Then recheck vacuum readings at idle and higher rpm. Also, drive it, but check to make sure you can stop it with your foot before going faster.

[SexySilhouette]

Have you cleaned the MAF recently? What kind of gas do you use?

Yes...I run 89.

[85_Ciera_Rebuild]

Intermittent Hesitation While Accelerating or While Cruising

An intermittent chuggle or hesitation that can be felt during light acceleration or while cruising at highway speeds with no Check Engine light or no fault codes set may be caused by intermittent operation of the automatic transmission torque converter clutch (TCC). The problem is not the torque converter clutch or clutch solenoid, but a faulty input to the powertrain control module computer from the engine's throttle position (TPS) sensor. The fix for this problem is to replace the TPS sensor.

Vehicles that may be affected by this include the following:
1995-1999 Buick Riviera
1995-2004 Buick Regal
1995-2005 Buick LeSabre, Park Avenue
1997-2005 Buick Century
1995-2001 Chevrolet Lumina
1995-2002 Chevrolet Camaro
1995-2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala
1995-1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, Ninety Eight
1995-1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
1995-2002 Pontiac Firebird
1995-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
1995-2005 Pontiac Bonneville
with 3800 V6 Engine (VIN K - RPO L36)

[85_Ciera_Rebuild]

i've put in new ...

tps....yes?

[SilentWing]

As far as the AC goes did you check your evaporator/evaporator drain to see if that's where it's leaking from? That's a common place to check if you can't find the dye...

[SexySilhouette]

Intermittent Hesitation While Accelerating or While Cruising

An intermittent chuggle or hesitation that can be felt during light acceleration or while cruising at highway speeds with no Check Engine light or no fault codes set may be caused by intermittent operation of the automatic transmission torque converter clutch (TCC). The problem is not the torque converter clutch or clutch solenoid, but a faulty input to the powertrain control module computer from the engine's throttle position (TPS) sensor. The fix for this problem is to replace the TPS sensor.

Vehicles that may be affected by this include the following:
1995-1999 Buick Riviera
1995-2004 Buick Regal
1995-2005 Buick LeSabre, Park Avenue
1997-2005 Buick Century
1995-2001 Chevrolet Lumina
1995-2002 Chevrolet Camaro
1995-2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala
1995-1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, Ninety Eight
1995-1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
1995-2002 Pontiac Firebird
1995-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
1995-2005 Pontiac Bonneville
with 3800 V6 Engine (VIN K - RPO L36)

tps....yes?

Mine is a VIN L Series I 3.8 but yes, that was the first thing I checked and it tested fine.

As far as the AC goes did you check your evaporator/evaporator drain to see if that's where it's leaking from? That's a common place to check if you can't find the dye...

I did and nothing there.

[85_Ciera_Rebuild]

Mine is a VIN L Series I 3.8 but yes, that was the first thing I checked and it tested fine.

Well replace it....

For a transmission shop that has Snap-On tester, they could do a check ride, and see what's happening.

[Duke George V]

Yes...I run 89.

Octane doesn't really factor in to it. If you're running unbranded stuff from the local Gas 'N Go or whatever, it's probably clogging up your injectors. Chevron and Shell have really good detergent additives. You could also throw a "21 gallon" bottle of Techron into the tank next time you fill up (before you put gas in). How about your fuel filter?

[85_Ciera_Rebuild]

Mine is a VIN L Series I 3.8...

Info U get on internet is not complete....I would buy a new TPS, and install it.

Also, have you disconnected battery for say 24 hours? Assuming your ECM dumps datapoints.

[85_Ciera_Rebuild]

Like the TCC is stuck, It goes away if I tap the brake pedal or accelerate

In this diagram located here, I would disconnect wire going to TCC solenoid, if this is the case for your vehicle...I don't know how ECM in your vehicle gets signal to turn off TCC solenoid, so look at vehicle's wiring diagram.

[SexySilhouette]

Octane doesn't really factor in to it. If you're running unbranded stuff from the local Gas 'N Go or whatever, it's probably clogging up your injectors. Chevron and Shell have really good detergent additives. You could also throw a "21 gallon" bottle of Techron into the tank next time you fill up (before you put gas in). How about your fuel filter?

Ah, I run Valero usually. Chevron if I'm around there. Just changed the filter 2 weeks ago.

[SexySilhouette]

New TPS and it is just as bad. Anyone else?

[85_Ciera_Rebuild]

New TPS and it is just as bad. Anyone else?

Brake Switch...are there dual wires there? One for brake lights, and one to let transmission know to kick out lockup torque converter?

Disconnect or Connect it, which ever it is...so transmission does not engage lockup.