16th Mar 2007, 10:47

Wow, it sounds like this car is spontaneously self-destructing!

Changing the plugs and wires was a good thing to do. How old is the battery? If it's original, it's time for a new one. I suppose there's a possibility that a bad battery could influence the misfire, although the coil should be running off the alternator.

Check the belt tension for the alternator to make sure the pulley isn't slipping. Then get a voltage meter and make sure that the alternator is putting out about 13.5 volts when you step on the gas to 1,500 or 2,000 RPM's. Also use the voltage meter to see that the battery has about 12.5 volts, plus or minus a volt.

If the battery is charged, but the car won't start, yes, it could be corroded or loose cables. Wire brush off any corrosion, take off the clamps, and thoroughly clean the posts and clamps. If that is okay, then buy a new battery. See if you still have the check engine light, or choppy idle.

The next simplest thing is to add fuel injector cleaner, in case it's a dirty fuel injector that is not getting gas to a cylinder. That would be like having a dead cylinder. You can take injectors out and clean them, and use a resistance meter to check them, but adding cleaner to the gas tank is easier. If that doesn't help, then think about replacing the coil(s).

The brake light might be an indication that you have low brake fluid in the master cylinder. Unscrew or pop off (whichever) the caps and check the reservoir under the hood. If the reservoir is empty, you probably have air in the lines and the brakes will need to be bled. If it's low, going around a corner could make the light come on briefly.

Is the car shaking worse since changing the spark plugs and wires? Are you certain that you did not mix up the plug wires, so the cylinders are firing out of sequence? Were the spark plugs properly tightened?

This poor car doesn't seem to have been taken very good care of, to have all these little issues, but you'll be able to work through it.

19th Mar 2007, 16:18

Hi, I have a 1999 Monte Carlo LS, and my (check engine) light and my (anti-brake) (ABS) light keeps coming on. I had it taken to a mechanic, to put new plugs and wires on it, and they also checked my brakes. Before I took it there, the light did not come on, ever. I stopped and asked why it came on, and they said it was probably just a censor, since they checked the brakes and said they were in good shape. Why would my light come on all of the sudden, I mean could they have loosened a wire, or something to make my light come on? What should I do about that, my brakes work good, but the light just comes on. Oh, and when I am parked at a slant, and my car is in drive, it rolls backwards, IN DRIVE why is that happening? OK NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.. When I took my car to the mechanic, they hooked it up to a computer, to see why the light was coming on, they said it still showed a misfire after I just put new plugs and wires on there. They said they could now tell where the misfire was coming from because the computer didn't say where it was at. Do you have any tips on why it is coming on? Would a messed up idle cause a misfire? Would a broken gas gauge, cause a misfire? I don't know, I mean as you can tell, I am not a mechanic (lol) My car runs super fine, acts like nothing is wrong, just the stupid check engine light, and Anti Brake System light coming on. Please if you can, give me any information you can, ANYBODY Thankyou.

19th Mar 2007, 19:09

As far as the car rolling backward in Drive on a slope, that's normal. You'll also find that if you're on a slope with the front end facing downhill and you put it in Reverse the car will roll forward. That's just how it's designed to work.

21st Mar 2007, 19:24

Would a bad censor cause my muffler to putt? When you listen to it it just Putt putts. Putt putt putt putt. lol. Also, Can any of you guys tell me what all would cause a car to misfire? Thanks.

3rd Apr 2007, 19:46

Can anybody please tell me where a fuse is? See, I have the monte carlo with the FLOOR console, and FLOOR SHIFTER, (not by the steering wheel) My P R N OD D 1 2 lights won't come on. At night time when it is dark, I have to turn my dome light on to make sure my car is in OD, because my lights down there won't work. Please can somebody tell me where I can find that fuse, or have any ideas for me? Thanks.

5th Feb 2009, 23:49

Fuses are located on the passenger side of the dash. Though it sounds like a bulb is burned out as you did not mention not being unable to see speedometer, gauges etc...

26th Jun 2011, 18:42

I own a 1999 Monte Carlo and I have oil in my coolant reservoir. My car isn't getting real hot, maybe to the 220 mark, still have spunk to it. Could it be a cylinder?

28th Jun 2011, 17:41

If you have oil in your coolant reservoir, you most likely have a leaking head gasket or (unlikely) a cracked engine block. Somehow oil is leaking into the coolant passages somewhere. If the car has ever run hot, my guess would be a bad head gasket and possibly a warped head (requiring replacement). Lots of luck. And yes, these cars are very good and reliable cars. Friends of mine have put well over 200,000 miles on these cars with very little repairs.