I recently got my camaro, 96 V6. I noticed a couple days ago that it was lacking power and then my check engine light came and it was flashing. After that it has a hard time shifting into gears and it idles very rough. I got the computer read and it read P0300 Random Misfire and P1406 EGR Pintle Position Circuit. I replaced the EGR valve and when I went to start my car it sounded like the same, idled rough (it broke for a few minutes and sounded normal) and the check engine light went out, but when I went to test drive to see if it was any better and got it on the highway it started running like crap again. The check engine light popped back on, and it started flashing agian. I pulled over and turned off the car. I was told that when it does that it means Catastrophic Failure if u dont turn the vehichle off immediatly after the light starts flashing, is this true? Anyways the car still starts, but I think from the first time I screwed it and just kept driving it, so again I was told that i could of damaged my Cataliytic converter, during all this great stuff. I havent been able to find anyone with a code reader to see what else the comp. says but anyone have any suggestions???? Help Please!!!??!

 

When the Check Engine light flashes that usually indicates a misfire, not catastrophic failure... Most auto parts stores can read the codes for free or sell code readers.

 

Same thing happened when i first bought my 98 v6 at an auction. when i saw the misfire, I changed the plugs and wires and that seemed to fix it for a little bit. then it started to misfire again. I later learned that my coil pack was corroded, so i had to have those replaced. In the mean time i royally screwed my catalytic converter though, so that has to be replaced.

It worked for a while, but now it's misfiring on 6. I've already checked the compression, so I'm hoping it's just a bad plug/wire/or even the coil pack. if not, the only thing left is a valve, and that would suck. But the misfire is no longer random

 

Agreed with above. A flashing SES light means a misfire. Can be plugs, can be coils, can be wires. Also, check that your wires aren't broken or cracked and arching off the block or something else. I had mine arch off the EGR and short the EGR out entirely. Another thing to double check is the vacuum line. If it's cracked or not connected, you'll have trouble pulling air into the manifold, and it will act like it's misfiring as well.

 

Check your coils. They are NOTORIOUS for going bad on these cars... Especially if you buy the cheapies from auto parts stores.

 

Kal. This guy made another thread (not sure why) saying it is fixed. Was a loose connection on a plug.

 

Ah my bad :$ It'd be nice if he'd learn to REPLY to his same threads eh?

 

Would be nice.

 

ohh sorry i am new 2 all this and i am a girl.....
I figured u would start a new thread....But yah I am overwhelmed, but I will check the things that u guys just told me...Thanks...

 

The cat is gutted and welded. Yesterday I found a spark plug on top of the last coil pack loose. When I tightened it up the check engine light went off and the camaro stopped idoling hard . So today after welding the cat converter I noticed that there is still hestitation when I shift gears. I think by gutting the cat it helped give it its power back, but it still hestates down. EGR replaced. Gutted cat-welded and it is not idoling hard anymore. I checked the coil packs and they are fine, they all work like they are supposed to. After taking it up town and back home (Home is about 17 miles from town) i felt it start to mess up again, and sure as **** when I went to shift up it lost power and the check engine light started blinking. Would a fouled spark plug cause this to happen maybe? I also just put in fuel injector cleanor as well.