I bought a 92 Chevy caprice (an old police car) with 160k miles. Very good car, never had a problem before. For a while I would start it up, and it would, how would you say, stutter I suppose. I would give it gas, but it wouldn't go, then it would jump forward, then not go, then go forward, after about a minute of this, it would be fine. Occasionaly it would cut off while it did this, but after restarting it would stutter then be fine. My step-father said it might be the thermometer, saying that if its not reading right, the car might not know how much gas to give (it's fuel injected). Which wasn't a major problem (the fuel gauge also doesnt work and I just noticed the RPM's meter will sometimes drop to 0, then go right back up, but the car would keep running). About a month ago I installed 2 15's, a 3000 watt amp, and a gel battery. The side terminal (that screws in) kept coming out (the negative) so I bought new ones and I still have the same problem, sometimes I have to mess with it to get the car to start. I've been waiting to buy the terminals for the top. Anywho, while I was at auto zone, they were working on my battery, the wrench he was using was dropped, and it touched both the positive and negative at the same time, since then, my alarm hasnt worked. It will lock, unlock and auto start, but it wont beep while I lock or go off if its been messed with. Now,a few days ago my car just wouldn't start. It'll crank, but wont turn over. I put gas into it, gave it gas while cranking, still nothing. I tried the whole, unplug spark plug and see if there was a spark, but I didnt see one(but then again im a 21 year old girl who has no mechanical experience whatsoever). I also noticed that while I would try to crank it, I smelled gasoline. My step-father (the mechanicI try to always turn to) says it might be a fuel problem. If so, I just need to know what it MIGHT be, so I can have it checked, since my stepfather isnt really coming through for me right now, I need to get it fixed fast(ive already lost my job, and missed a test in school). I'm a bit afraid to take it to a shop, because they see a young white woman and want to take all the money i've got. If anyone has a suggestion for me to try and figure out whats wrong (im pretty intelligent so if you tell me exactly what to do to check a few parts, im quite sure I could get it done) therefore, I could just buy a new part and get my stepfather to put it in, instead of waiting 98464567 years for him to come look at it. I appreciate you help.
Feb 20, 2009 at 11:13 AM
