BIG PROBLEM PLEASE HELP!!

I have a 96 RS 3.8 and it is running like crap!!! The idle varies between 800 and 1000 RPM's....but the best part is that when I rev it up to 4000 it cuts out and wont go any higher. Anyone know what could cause this???

How old are your plugs/wires?I seem to recall a lot of 3.8's had a problem with them and they even had a recall about it.If it's not your plugs and wires then my next guess would be a vaccum leak somewhere.Good luck.
Kevin

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Well they are old...but would that make it not rev above 4000 RPM's??

My brothers V6 (which used to be mine) does the samething it only revs up to exactly 4,000RPMs but if you floor it it goes passed 4,000 so maybe there is some sort of limiter that keeps you from reving it too hard when there is no load on it. I don't know but I can red line the SS reving all day.

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99 Black SS A4 t-tops a ton of factory options plus white face gauges which have a disputable hp gain. (formerly V6white98, changed cars)

yea I'd have to go with plugs and maybe wires. not going above 4000 rpm's? I dont know, vacuum leak sounds more possible like dude said, but check your injectors also.

What about a throttle position sensor?

fyi: i test drove a 97 v6 firebird that had a rpm rev limit of 4000rpm. when you held the accelerator down in park the needle would bounce back to 3600rmp and then back to 4000rpm consistantly. but my 97 camaro won't do it. so.... http://web.camaross.com/bb/confused.gif

edit: i didn't read your post correctly, so ignore my dumb post. by the way, why would the firebird do that?
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CamaroGuy719
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[This message has been edited by CamaroGuy719 (edited September 05, 2002).]

[This message has been edited by CamaroGuy719 (edited September 05, 2002).]

there is a rev limter on autos, are you doing this in neutral, or actually drivng down the road.

There is a rev limiter because i also own a 96 3.8 and it cuts out about 3800 rpms when there is no load, but if your driving at about 45 mph then put it in neutral you can redline it...

Yeah Limiter,But the rough idle,definitely something like the plugs, wires ,fuel filter,dirty injectors(injector cleaner 2xyr.at lease).
If the tune-up doesnt work the one fella mentioned TPS,if you get a manual a amp/volt meter tester can tell if its bad.
Tune-up

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Cool...thanks fellas. I'll give the plugs/wires a try (Ive noticed that they are fun to get at. And yes I was revin it up in park.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by MustangEater82:
there is a rev limter on autos, are you doing this in neutral, or actually drivng down the road.

</font>

that test drive was over a year ago, so i can't remember if it was in park or neutral. i didn't notice it doing that while in drive, but that doesn't mean that it won't....i'm just not sure.

What about the IAT sensor? That could be causing the idle to surge... not sure if/how it could affect the other things though.

I"ve heard just cleaning the contacts is often good, but theyre' less that $30 to replace. Chilton's manual tells you how to properly test it.

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What is an IAT sensor?? And where is it under the hood?

IAT is your Intake Air Temperature Module.Located in the rubber neck that connects to your air filter lid.

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Hella Clean Dark Green Metallic 98 3.8 L60E Coupe:Fast toys Ram Air,Holly filter,Whisper lid,Jet stage2 PCM,160 Thermo,Man.fan switch,Purple ice wetter,Eibach Pros,Koni adjustables,BMR sways,Prothane bushins,Transgo kit,Magnaflow cat-back.National Auto Sport Ass. member/student.

It was the plugs/wires!!! Holy @#%! that took forever to do. Why don't they make them a little harder to get at? Thanks for all you help..

Might as well upgrade the plugs/wires while you're at it with taylor wires and ngk or ac delco plugs.

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