odd problem with my 98

**private1i** · 11-04-2007, 06:29 PM

Hey guys, just picked up my 98 camaro the other day and love it, but I have one problem, it sputters and jerks when I hit a bump or accelerate hard like the ignition is grounding out. most of the lights on the dash come on when it starts to do it and it happens rapidly. Almost feels like you are turning the car on and off really fast. dash seems to lose memory (trip meter resets) but my radio doesnt, it doesnt shut off when this occurs. The lights dont turn on, but one time when it did it the SES came on but the when it happened again it shut off, same with the security light. Seems related as well but above about 50 the speedo needle sweeps back and forth. Any help would be great this is a tough one.

**98formy** · 11-05-2007, 08:05 AM

It sounds like a bad battery cable. I would put a volt meter on the battery and jiggle the wires to see if there is a volt change or do a visual check.

**2001NBMZ28** · 11-05-2007, 08:15 AM

Id check the battery connections first too, and make sure it's secure and not moving around. Most codes stay in history for dozens of cycles after the SES turns itself off if you want to check and see if it's related.

**9t8z28** · 11-05-2007, 08:42 AM

X3----

**private1i** · 11-05-2007, 10:45 AM

yea no codes stored in history, fuel trim is off, car is leaning itself out but it is unrelated. I will check the cables though. odd thing is above 3500rpm it spits and sputters, but when I plug the scanner in and drive with that it runs all the way to 5500 without hesitation, any ideas there?

**2001NBMZ28** · 11-05-2007, 11:02 AM

Another possibility is a loose ground somewhere. I had a pickup truck that would illuminate all the dash idiot lights going over railroad tracks and bumps...was an '88 model though and not as complicated.

**02WS6dream** · 11-05-2007, 09:12 PM

as said...check battery wires, and be sure no corrosion on connections.

**private1i** · 11-05-2007, 09:49 PM

well battery wires are good, connections couldnt be better, ohm'd every connection I could find. Weird thing though is when I plug in my scanner and drive both problems disappear, I have no idea where to go next, for now I will drive with the scanner plugged in.

**02WS6dream** · 11-05-2007, 11:51 PM

i'm out...step in experienced guys...

**GULLETT17** · 11-06-2007, 09:44 AM

Its a bad ground. . . Something is grounding back through your electronics somewhere. My 98 bird did that and I took it to an auto electrics specialist and I believe he found a bad ground on the transmission. Its definately wierd to see it at first!! I thought she was possessed!!

**private1i** · 11-06-2007, 04:18 PM

well time to break out the multi meter again!

**z28punk** · 11-06-2007, 07:15 PM

1 rule they dont teach in tech schools is "Weird Sh!t = bad ground".

**GULLETT17** · 11-07-2007, 05:08 AM

my bird was grounding back through my electronics causing the gauges to go crazy, my transmission to shift at very low rpms and sputter and derk like private1i said . . . definately wierd