Questions and Answers

Pontiac Firebird Pings & Knocks Q. I have a 1989 Pontiac Firebird 305 TBI. When the car is cold and I drive off, I hit the gas and I get no power at all and my engine pings and knocks a lot. Even when the car is warm it still does it. I'm thinking my fuel filter is clogged or there is something wrong with my transmission? Oh, my check engine light comes on and stays on. Please help!

A. Your car will tell you if you ask it. It's waving a red flag at you trying to get your attention. Pull the codes from the computer and you'll have a good place to start looking for the problem. I'l bet it's a bad coolant temperature sensor myself.