need help with car problem

[b0daci0us0ne]

Tried searching but couldn't find an answer to my problem. I started my 02 Alero with 148000 mi this morning. Start reversing and the service engine soon light starts flashing. Stopped and turned off the car, restarted couple minutes later, Now the SES light is steadily on. Try reversing but car can't make it out of driveway. Driveway has a slight incline( 25 degree angle). Car will make 3/4 of the driveway then the engine will start idling, also the exhaust doesn't sound normal & inside the vehicle smells like burnt plastic. Any help or info would be helpful

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

I'm no expert, but my guess is a clogged catalytic converter.

[Gr1m]

I'm no expert, but my guess is a clogged catalytic converter.
yea that would be my guess too.

[b0daci0us0ne]

I know this might sound dumb but is there only one catalyic converter on the car & where is it located?

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

it's a part of the exhaust pipe...sort of under the driver's seat.

[b0daci0us0ne]

I'm thinking if i have to replace it why not replace the whole exhaust system. Any suggestions & where to buy?

[alerored04]

any local exhaust shop will be able to help you out. But i would want to know for sure if that is it. If you can get the car to a parts store like advance and tell them you need a code read. They will scan the ses light and let you know for sure. Then an exhaust shop will be your next stop if the cat is indeed the problem. If you plan on getting a whole new exhaust from a shop you are looking at around $340 for everything, new bigger piping, muffler and tips plus a cat. Thats what mine cost. If you are not looking for bigger exhaust just go with a new cat and maybe a flowmaster muffler if you want the nice sound.

[b0daci0us0ne]

What about gutting the cat? Is it ok to run the car like this or will the SES light stay on? Will it damage the car? A coworker said it wouldn't but I'm not sure

[alerored04]

wont hurt the car but it will cause the ses light to stay on since the cat will be giving a bad reading to the o2 sensor. If you get an 02 sim from pfyc.com and plug it into the o2 sensor then you will be able to gut the cat. Either way an o2 sim will take care of your problem with the light, but you will want to either gut the cat or get a new one if its clogged.

[b0daci0us0ne]

well had the catalyic converter replaced today but the engine is still hesitating. Mechanic said something about the code read showing a misfire.

[AGT]

Find out what code specifically from autozone and you will know which cylinder.

[b0daci0us0ne]

well i decide to leave my car with the shop that replaced my catalyic converter to find out what the problem is. They called and said its the ignition coil pack. They will be replacing that & the spark plugs. I'll post if that fixed the problem when I get my car back

[alero168]

i had that replaced a couple years ago, not sure what you mean by couldnt get out of the driveway (was it running or not running) but it was fine after it was replaced.

[b0daci0us0ne]

What i meant was the didn't have enough power to make it out the driveway, but it was running. I got the car back yesterday and is now running fine. So I guess that was the problem.