When i start the car it runs real rough. But when i get up to about 40 miles per hour it calms down. I think it may need a tune up. I wanted to get it checked so i went to firstone and those mfers wanted to charge 460 dollars for a tune up. I told them to shove it up their a#$. Can anyone give me a suggestion on what might be the problem. It's wierd all of the sudden it started doing this a week ago before that it was fine. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks guys

Plugs and wires are a good bet. Stick with OEM. Best prices and fast shipping from http://www.rockauto.com

i usually go to autozone to get them. It's just so damn hard for me to change them. any tips?

No auto zone! Go rockauto you can get oem really cheap with super fast shipping. I just purchased plugs,wires,cap and rotor using Ac delco parts for 110 bucks. Try pricing Ac delco parts elsewhere and you will see what I mean. I am rock auto for life!!!!!!!!!

They are pretty easy to do on the Northstar. It will be a little easier if you remove the strut tower cross brace and the ICM, but neither are mandatory. Just keep the wires away froom the blower motor, especially if it is original.

I 've discovered that the car does not idle that bad when im at a red light and shift the car into neutral at stops. Does this mean the problem is something else rather than bad plugs. I did a plug and wire change last year i don't think they could be bad after that long do you?

You could have a fuel delivery issue. Check the fuel filter, see if it gives proper pressure... Does it start ok cold? Fuel pressure regulator could need it.

I 've discovered that the car does not idle that bad when im at a red light and shift the car into neutral at stops. Does this mean the problem is something else rather than bad plugs. I did a plug and wire change last year i don't think they could be bad after that long do you?
Generally, a light misfire will get worse under heavy load (idle in gear is heavier than idle out of gear). It will also appear worse when accelerating lightly just before it shifts as opposed to a hard acceleration. No, they should last a lot longer than a year. You did you OEM parts, didn't you? If you went with aftermarket plugs and wires, all bets are off. Have you cleaned the TB and the EGR?

Generally, a light misfire will get worse under heavy load (idle in gear is heavier than idle out of gear). It will also appear worse when accelerating lightly just before it shifts as opposed to a hard acceleration. No, they should last a lot longer than a year. You did you OEM parts, didn't you? If you went with aftermarket plugs and wires, all bets are off. Have you cleaned the TB and the EGR?

Im sorry i don't know what oem and tb and egr means. The plugs are ac delco plugs and the wires are a different brand i think. Also the car kind of staggers when it starts to accelerate, like a hesitation almost like im dragging something. I added some fuel treatment thinking i got some bad gas somewhere it helped a little. But it still has the same problem. And it feels like the transmission is changing gears too hard.

OEM =Original Equipment Manufacturer (A/C Delco)
TB = Throttle Body
EGR = Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve.

thanks i will take a look at it when i get the chance. What should i clean them with?

Gumout, carb or TB cleaner, toothbrush and a rag. There is a "How To" in the Tech Tips section for the EGR. Be carefull NOT to hold the EGR upside down when doing it. You do not want the carb cleaner to get into the "can".

Could you put it in a link. I am afraid i would pick the wrong one. My car has a V8 4.9 liter engine.

Oh, the "How To" in the Tech Tips section is for the Northstar. The 4.9 EGR usually doesn't stick. The 4.9 usually needs the EGR tubes in the TB rodded out. They tend to get clogged with carbon.

ok i will probably need your help when i do it on saturday(only day i have free time im gonna do it in the morning to beat the sun)

oh and my grandma was telling me about some kind of transmission treatment that helps with slipping gears. Is that good to use in a caddy?

I don't believe in repairs in a bottle, and would not put any snake oil in my trans. I'd drop the pan, drain and refill with the proper trans fluid. Just my $0.02

thanks guys for all of your suggestions. especially ranger. i changed the plugs got em at auto zone for 51.99 and the car is running great again.

i will be back when i start to try and fix my radio antenna. the thing used to work and then it stopped going up when the car starts and i cant get any am stations to come in. Love my sports radio 610 here in houston.

thanks again

Do you hear the motor run? If so, it's a broken mast cable. Supposedly, dealers have a repair kit for $15 - $20 but I was unable to find one. I was able to get one here for $50. http://www.antennamastsrus.com. Repaired it with the antenna motor in the car ('97 Deville). Follow the instructions closely.

Do you hear the motor run? If so, it's a broken mast cable. Supposedly, dealers have a repair kit for $15 - $20 but I was unable to find one. I was able to get one here for $50. http://www.antennamastsrus.com. Repaired it with the antenna motor in the car ('97 Deville). Follow the instructions closely.

yep that is exactly what its doing. looks like i need to get a new one of those.