# 99 Bravada runs like

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-bravada-runs-like/11854>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [March 15, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-bravada-runs-like/11854 "2008-03-15T20:18:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Beefy\_Norm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a4c791/32.png) [@Beefy\_Norm](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beefy_Norm)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-bravada-runs-like/11854/1 "2008-03-15T20:18:30Z")

</div>

OK, I’ll admit it, my wife bullied me into buying this GM piece of … During the bi-monthly problems last month the Check Engine light came on. Just out of pure stubborness I have firmly decreed that I will NOT put anymore money into this piece of … (until I’m bullied again). As I was driving this peice of … downtown to pay off a crack-whore to steal it, I noticed that the tach fluctuated while the cruiz control was engaged at 35 MPH. Does anyone have enough experience with an Olds POS to advise me that something like the idle position sensor is bad?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jeffmw05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@Jeffmw05](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeffmw05)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-bravada-runs-like/11854/2 "2008-03-16T02:18:41Z")

</div>

1. Why was the cruise engaged at 35 mph. Why bother ?

2. Why would you pay a crack whore to steal it? Why not pay a car thief? Why not just let them steal it for free? Why not just turn on the cruise and let it drive off a cliff ?

3. Why not just bully your wife into getting rid of it for something Japanese and more reliable?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 9:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-bravada-runs-like/11854/3 "2008-03-16T09:56:41Z")

</div>

It may be a bad signal from the VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor). The wires to/from the VSS, engine computer, cruise control may be faulty, or have faulty connections.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 10:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-bravada-runs-like/11854/4 "2008-03-16T10:26:13Z")

</div>

Rather than ask us, ask your car. That CEL (check engine light) is just a kid in class waving her hand trying to get you attention because she has the answer. You need to have the codes read. Some places will read them for FREE. Try Autozone or Advanced Auto Parts. Get the exact code (like P0123) not just their translation into English and post it back here.

Regarding warning lights:

1. if the coolant temp light comes on, shut off the engine ASAP

2. if the oil warning light comes on, shut off the engine ASAP

3. if a FLASHING MIL/CEL comes on, shut off the engine ASAP

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 12:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-bravada-runs-like/11854/5 "2008-03-16T12:41:47Z")

</div>

The tach can flutter due to gear changes with cruise on or be numerous other things. Did you actually feel it or just see the gauge moving about?

Get the CEL codes checked/written down at an autoparts store and don’t bother asking for diagnosis, they will suggest a list of parts to throw at the problem.