I have a 1999 Grand Prix GT. While I am driving, my car will jerk and then the RPM needle goes to zero and does not move and the TRAC OFF light will come on a few seconds later. The engine is not stalling, as I can keep driving with no problems. Once I park the car and turn the engine off and then turn it back on again, the needle works and the TRAC OFF light is no longer on, and everything appears to be normal. Please help.
If the check engine light has lit, get it scanned at an auto parts store, and post those codes here. Example: P0334.
The check engine light has not ever come on, and the issue has been going on for about a month.
Sounds like an electrical issue. You may want to talk to a mechanic because if you get under the dashboard not knowing what your doing you could cause more damage.
I don’t plan on trying to fix it myself, I am just wondering if anyone knows what may cause that so I know what it might possibly before going into the mechanic.
I am having the same problem as this person
http://community.cartalk.com/posts/list/1320012.page
It seems that no one read the article at autozone.com that was in that July post: http://www.autozone.com/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c15280090ea3 The article explains how the crankshaft position sensor works, and how the PCM (engine computer) uses the signal from the crankshaft position sensor as an RPM reference. If you check, you’ll see that the PCM shares that signal with the RPM gauge.
The article is a bit complicated; but, your mechanic should be able to understand it and check the signal from the crankshaft position sensor.
The respondents can help people only as much as their ability to grasp the concepts allow…some can, and some can’t.