I've got a 2002 Galant ES, with 89K miles, 2.4L 4 cylinder, automatic.. Couple of months ago, back in December, problems started happening. The first problem was that the car kept shaking badly when I turned it on and the Service Engine Soon light was also on. The car was idling at 3000 RPM. Took it to Advance Auto Parts, hooked it up to the machine, Cylinder #3 Misfire.

I kept getting the Engine lights and every time I went to Advance to get them turned off, it was Cylinder #3, or #4 misfire. Got new spark plugs, changed the oil. Everything seemed to be fine.

Now the Service Engine Soon light comes up at the most random times, usually when I step on the gas hard. It also goes off at random times, one time I filled up on gas and turned my car on and the light was off. Sometimes it would go off when I just turned my car on, or in the middle of driving.

Now the big problem. About 2-3 months ago, problems with the transmission (I think) started happening. When you step on the gas, the car seems like it can't get a grip on the road. I would step on the gas, the RPM needle would go up, but the car would barely move. Then finally when it gets to about 4000 RPM, the car would just launch. Its gotten really bad the past month, to the point where it sometimes barely moves when stepping on the gas.

I'd like to get this problem fixed since I planned on getting rims for my car, but I don't want to spend any money on it and have it break down on me later on.

Can anyone help?

Thanks.

EDIT: I also have this problem with my gas needle. When I fill up it goes up to the F (obviously) and after a couple minutes, the needle goes down and comes back up. Then sometimes the needle is on the halfway mark, then all of a sudden it would go down to the last mark before E, then back up again. Its really annoying. Whats the problem here too? Thanks.

The problem with your rpms jumping up and the car not moving is the transmission is slipping. Check your fluid level. It might be to late to salavge the transmission.

Did you also change the wires when you did the spark plugs?

Sounds like a coil issue.

Always make sure the gas cap is actually on and tight. If it isn't it will throw a CEL

I was hoping it wasn't the transmission. I changed the fluid in it last year, has it been too long?

No, I didn't change the coils when I changed the plugs.

Wires not coils.

Just make sure you have fluid in the tranny.

I changed the fluid last year, should I do it again?

You should check it.

I had that problem a couple of months ago the reason why you are having a misfire is because you have oil leaking into the #3 cylinder. This is due to a bad valve cover gasket. replace that and any others that look bad and you should be good.

I'll get that checked out, thanks.

I've had the similar problem with my Galant 03 last year: the car was accelerating very slowly with high RPM. I took the car to the Autozone to read the error code of the car ('cause the engine light was on). I was told there is an electrical problem, possibly short circuit, in transmission solenoid. I had no idea where the solenoid was and how to check it so I took the car to the shop. I explained them the problem and possible cause that I learned from Autozone. The chicken head that I talked to said he had his own "expensive" instruments to diagnose and he would not rely on the Autozone's prediction. I said ok.

After all it was the short circuit in solenoid as Autozone predicted, and they charged me for their work as follows:

To find the source of the problem: $100
Fix the short circuit: $30

Good luck with yours and let us know what your problem was after you find out.

Consider checking both the level and color of the transmission fluid. It could be that there either was a leak or the person who changed the fluid didnt top it up.

Also there could be a leak in the o-ring which is letting oil seep into the cylinder. Did you check the cylinder and plug for oil?