# Running out of options

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/running-out-of-options/46714>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** pontiac\
**Created:** [March 27, 2010, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/running-out-of-options/46714 "2010-03-27T17:24:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bigmac2014](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@bigmac2014](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bigmac2014)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2010, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/running-out-of-options/46714/1 "2010-03-27T17:24:56Z")

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I have a 1987 Pontiac Grand Am and lately have had a recurring problem Started 6 months ago: while under load (going uphill, etc) it sputters, coughs, chugs, etc). First my mechanic replaced a fuel injector, then found a wire shorting on the block, then another time replace a throttle module (I think). Now it is back in the shop and he is stumped. Anyone have any ideas??

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**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2010, 5:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/running-out-of-options/46714/2 "2010-03-27T17:27:10Z")

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When was the gas filter changed? It seems to me that the car should have stopped running by now if it is a clogged filter, but it’s cheap if it works.

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**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/running-out-of-options/46714/3 "2010-03-27T17:28:11Z")

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Not enough info known to make much of a guess but has he checked the lowly fuel filter?  
This could cause a problem with the engine under load; much like a clogged catalytic converter would.

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2010, 5:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/running-out-of-options/46714/4 "2010-03-27T17:35:56Z")

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This sounds like typical symptoms of fuel starvation under load. Or perhaps inability of the engine to expel the aded volume of exhaust that it needs to when under load.

The aforementioned suggestions of the fuel filter and the exhaust syetsm are good ones. I think I’d go further and check the fuel line pressure.