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The Pontiac Grand Am is a mid-size size (and later compact) car produced by Pontiac. The 1999-2005 generation is the final generation of the Pontiac Grand Am.

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Why is it when driving the RPM gauge drops or jumps up?

When I'm accelerating and get to required speed my RPM gauge either drops and steadies or jumps up then steadies back. Also if i push her too much to go faster too quickly it starts acting like the transmission is slipping. I've figured out that if i stop (in a safe place, of course) and cut the engine and wait a few minutes and restart the engine the transmission is fine again. I was told i needed new intake gaskets, i did that and it's still happening? could it be a sensor?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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Is it just your tachometer or can you feel the vehicle surging? Any errors codes or is your check engine light on?

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I agree with oldturkey - the first step is to check the computer memory for trouble codes. From your description, you might have a crankshaft position sensor or camshaft position sensor that is starting to fail.

BILL

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My service engine soon light is on and the code it's throwing is multiple misfire, but that is a whole different issue. I know what that is from. It wasn't throwing any codes when this started happening but i was told i needed my intake gaskets replaced. But after having that done it didn't fix the problem. It is just the tachometer jumping unless i come to a stop then the car sometime, not always tries to lunge forward.

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Okay, thank you Bill for your insight. I will have my mechanic check the sensors you mentioned yesterday. As for the multiple misfire code, i need to replace 2 of my coil packs and get new plugs and wires before i'll know the extent of the over-haul i'll need to do. But i do appreciate all your help and wisdom.

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Need help i have an 2005 toyota sienna and when i start it it goes straight to the number 1 it use to idle in 0 area and now when i drive it and com to the stop light and to move off it jumpor i have to rev it to move can anyone help me please i have change transmission fluid and filter this pass week already.

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A multiple misfire can certainly cause the engine to surge. You said you know what this was from - please elaborate.

The tachometer is just showing what the engine is already doing; it does not affect how the engine runs.

I still say there is something else going on in your computer system. Checking trouble codes is only one thing to check. Most scan tools can also check sensor values while the engine is running, and if you know what the sensor should be reading, a bad one can be spotted easily.

BILL

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that wasnt much help lol thanks

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I was having the surging issue as well. I noticed after I had the harmonic balancer and idler pulley replaced. Apparently the mechanic was unaware that the crankshaft needed to have a relearn done after replacing those parts. Over a year later, replacing God knows how many sensors and other parts, I finally found out it was just a simple relearn.

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How do you make a car relearn? I just replaced the timing on mine and took off the balancer and idlers and now it's shaking pretty bad

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The tps or throttle position sensor must check the voltage and if it is defective it must have to be change. I'd did that to my mazda protege5. The rpm is jump and drop while I'm driving. And my problem to my car was gone.

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Now what if the car is doing this and no computer codes are thrown???? Mine has been doing weird crap with the RPM and picking up speed but sheesh man alive no computer codes can be thrown to help solve the issue.

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Hey friends if your car RPM goes down to zero then do following steps.

1.Check your fuel pump

2.Make it Throttle body clean

3.Make your injector clean

4.Check your RPM Sensor

5.Check your car Emulator

6.Check if there is any gas leakage near by your car engine.

Do All the above your car will be smooth and there will be no problem related to RPM.

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Why is the rpm staying on 0 on 99 Camry when sitting still or driving

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hello I just changed my fuel pump after one night taking it and getting gas and the next morning it would not start so everyone told me it was probably my fuel pump so I changed that and then I also changed all three of my relay switches.we couldn't get it to still start so we left it for a few days to see what was going on with it and try to restart it is still was not trying to start up but it was cranking over and then my friend brought over a reader and it we plugged it in and we cleared all the codes because it said there was no codes. So he basically cleared the computer so then once he did that it started but now my RPMs when I'm sitting at idle is to the middle of 1 and 0 and it's also like not wanting to shift right when I'm going what could that be???

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Also add that I have a 2006 Nissan Armada I'm sorry I forgot to post that

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Alternator may not be charging Battery properly

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Engine have fuel problem . Somewhere the fuel drop then suddenly rpm decrease better check the complete fuel system from tank to injectors also check the rpm sensor .

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check fuel pressure between fuel pump and injectors. you may have a fuel pump that is about to fail.

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This could possibly be your output speed sensor, related to the transmission. It controls the odometer. Generally this part is inexpensive, and you could locate it, and possibly change it yourself. Hope this helps!

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I changed all sensors and my engines raed to 25 rpm while driving and still raced after turning key off and back on . Why?

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I have a 1992 Chevrolet blazer I went in to get fuel filter changed they broke the fuel line said I needed a new fuel pump they fixed it but I got a oil change 2 months ago and a tune up new spark plugs disturber cap, spark plug wires, I had a leak in the pcb vulvae they put a new tube but its still hesitating and cutting off rpm keep idling and going down check gauges and service engine soon light on and battery light when i turn the key over all auto part stores say they dont have the diagnostic for a 1992 i just want to hear my pipes and not keep cutting off 2000 dollars and my blue boy stll sick please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm a lady if any one can help my name is MissDronda Bivens on FB the profile with the glasses

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A car that is 26 years old will have to be put to rest. How much shoe polish can you apply to a pair of 26 year old used shoes? All your car problems are happening because when 1 item is fixed, the next item, which is now many years older, is now over worked and its that items time to quit working. Its best to trade in and purchase a vehicle atleast from 2008 to now.

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My car is a 94 grand prix with 319k miles on her...still original engine and tranny....still runs strong and more dependable than any of those newer cars out there...ull find the culprit and shes gonna be good as new...keep up the good work

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My car is a 94 grand prix with 319k miles on her...still original engine and tranny....still runs strong and more dependable than any of those newer cars out there...ull find the culprit and shes gonna be good as new...keep up the good work... i changed my tps and all is fixed

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I have a 1992 Mercury Topaz, a 2002 Honda CRV, both running awesome, they have some problems, but they are fine. The 1992 Blazer is an awesome car to have, after finding the culprit you are most likely going to have car for a while! Don't give up!

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Could be the idle air control valve or the idle control motor I have a 2001 Mitsubishi gallant the rpm would raise and lower up and down and shut off I replaced the idle control valve it runs great now

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My vehicle Camry 2004 Manual 1 Gear and 2 Gear problem, jumping not move smoothly, RPM not raising above 2000xrpm after goes down & jerking I can't drive more than 90km speed, no engine light symbol. I check mechanic they advise to change spark plugs, coil & fuel filter, still not solved. please advise next what to do.

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I would look into cleaning the throttle body you may not be getting a good air to fuel mixture, along with that you may clean the MAP sensor or mass air pressure sensor it maybe telling your cars computer to take in more air because it is dirty.

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Hi I'm having somewhat the same issue with my 95 Honda prelude I've change new spark plugs and wires, new dizzy. It idles fine when parked, it's not so great when I drive it starts to jerk every time I tried to shift gears, (manual transmission) but besides me replacing the clutch is there anything I can check for??? Also need help

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I would look into the idle air control valve

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I have 2001 Pontiac grand Prix she sometimes hesitates.. when. Accelerating. My rmp I notice it jumps from one - two when idling. I'm still unsure for the hesitation on accelerating I have a new Fuel filter, fuel pump, new battery and new alternator.. any help? But went for a 40min drive. And well that's 9mins to my home is when I notice my RMP been sitting at 0 while I'm driving.

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I'd also experienced that problem to mazda protege5 2002 for this past week. It jump and drop the rpm while I'm driving. I did check the voltage on the tps or throttle position sensor and I found that it's a defective, so I replace or change it. And my problem to my car is gone. Hope this can help.

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I have a Mustang 1992 in a problem

When you are on the road close abruptly

  Re-run the key and run again

So help me

And thank you

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It's hard to understand what your saying what I got was your car shuts off abruptly so my answer is a failing fuel pump

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Check your fuel pressure..if you have pressure then its not the fuel pump

...do a diagnosis test and check for codes..

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I have a 2008 g6 that’s just started to have problems. The rpms have been reving to 5 grand and has hesitation on take off. Engine light is not one could this be a misfire/ bad connection in the plugs?

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My Mazda mpg 2001 it drive the rpm goes up and down it try to shock off and it loose power ,and my Mazda protege 1997

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Hello,

If throttle body is cleaned, can it cause "unmetered air" to enter the intake manifold and disturb the fuel mixture, and as a result the ECU will dump extra fuel into the air-fuel-mix ?

Spark plugs are Irridium type mentioned life 80,000-120,000 km. Can the high fuel comsumtion ruin the spark plugs just after 50,000 kms ? Car is honda civic R18a.

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Can changing the entire fuse box stop the rpm was rising without kicking into gear.

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I have a 88 Honda Accord LXI and after driving it for a while it will start to pick up and then drop off pick up and drive off almost like you're hitting the rev limiter but it's a low RPMs once you cut the car off and let it sit for a few minutes it's tops start driving it again then it starts all over

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I’m having a issue with my 2004 Toyota Camry automatic when I get up too 5000 rpm and let my foot off the gas every time I down shift the rpm jumps up and also today noticed with no foot on the gas pedal my car idles roughly 1500 and my speed doesn’t go down for quite sometime

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I have a 2007 dodge dakota 4.7Lv8

The rpms are wack it jerks and dosent want to get up to speed without hesitating and sputtering while the rpms literally dont want to go any higher than 1500 rpms without flushing the petal half way or all the way down ???? What is or could be causing this ... But take note it doesn't do all that stuff when i start off from 1st gear and work my way to drive after 2nd gear it does just fine trying to drop tread and act like some speed racing truck lol ...

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I have a 2006 Ford Taurus. RPM acting crazy. Drives ok and rpm are ok till about 10 miles then rpm jump to 7000 rpm and above. Cleaned the IAC. with carburator cleaner and it done ok for about 35 miles then. RPM jumped back up to 7000 and above . When I kill it RPM stays locked on 5000- 6000 rpm. Sometimes slowly drops a little at a time after sitting for a bit.

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My 2001 Honda Civic LX was already having an idling problem but would drive fine once you got to a constant speed. Then all of a sudden, the RPM gage stop working, it would barely go, sputtering very badly, air conditioner got warm & i thought I seen something fly off from my car in my rear view mirror. When I crank my car, for about 15-20 sec the rpm Gage goes from the 1 to 1 1/2like 13-15 times while making a clicking noise & then levels out. I’ve replaced the cam shaft sensor, spark plugs & throttle bottle position sensor. Also the battery light comes on when you first crank it & when accelerating on the gas it bogs down with a loud popping noise from the exhaust.

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I have a 99 Buick Park Avenue with a 3800 series 2 and it was running great but then I went to store and when I tried to start it it'd just crank my rpms aren't moving and I checked the fuel rail and it wasn't getting fuel so I thought my pump went bad put a new one in and it's still doing the same thing all relays and fuses are new and I have juice to the fuel pump I checked with a test light what could be the problem

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My 2003 Ford Rangerxl keep jerking and acting like it want to cut off and sometimes it does but crank right up changed spark plugs, wires and coil pack. Had a bother motor put in seals in transmission intake gasket and it still doing the same.help me!!!

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