What causes my 1999 grand am gt to sputter when i put it in drive or in reverse. im hearing numerous reasons but i would like to know exactly before i spend too much money to have it fixed.

when did it last run good, last week, last year or nobody knows/
that is good one, odd for sure that. NO scan tools work 1995 ,
2.4L stick shift. M/T
well the engine has no idea at all what gear you are in.
so my guess is, yes engine is overloading, (reverse is better )
means engine power is super super weak.
because REV has a higher numerical RATIO gear. than 1st.
so seem have more power. in REV.
sputters up is not a norm car term, but can me 2 things

• gross engine misfire.
• or the clutch slips. (RPM Rises but MPH goes slower.?

the engine dies/ DEAD, 0 RPM? that be>>>>
MY BEST GUESS BLIND, IS ENGINE IS:

• ENGINE IS FLOODING , SMELL FUEL? injector leaks.
• SPARK IS BAD,
• OR FUEL FLOW LOSS. LEAN BURN STALLS.
• Bad fuel, (old fuel was there before or now?).

there are lots of actual caused (parts bad)
spark parts all are old aND NO GOOD NOW. PLUGS/WIRES HV,CAP ROTOR HAS DISTRIBUTOR? YES IT IS.
BAD FUEL OR LOW FUEL PRESSURE OR CLOGGED FUEL OR AIR FILTERS.
all above assumes actual engine is ok, compression tests pass.
that is all I can figure out , not seen or driven me.
I can no see RPM and MPH dials or hear the engine sputter.

my guess is the gearing , that reverse has is very low.
and with lower gearing a weaker engine can run
id bet you if you use your right foot, on the throttle as you
go to drive, it will move, or use L gear.
the sputter, is not related to the transmission
Sputter is gross misfiring of the engine, 4.0L?? what engine?
and the top cause of that. is not getting a tune up.
spark plugs. ever do those in 10 long years.'
or spark wires>?
filters, fluids and spark? a tune up.
the Jeep runs a map sensor, so does not sputter with air leaks.
the jeep IAC can stick. and not hold an idle ,in drive.
but you can with a fast right foot, if not , its gross misfire for sure.
your right foot is not gas its air
when you press the throttle you add air and the EFI matches air with fuel. in that order
so if it still sputters, is not the lack of air. see?> spark is next,.

for 100 years folks avoid tuneups, is that you? the classic cause?

CHECK FLUID LEVEL

you could have spark plugs that need changing or bad plug wires.the fuel injectors could be dirty not allowing enough fuel to be burned.at idle there isn`t enough load to cause a noticeable miss fire.

I have the same problem! My car is a 1995 though. This has been happening for years so I used to just leave it in neutral and use the parking break. Well today I put it in neutral and it is having that problem. :( Let me know if you find anything out!

Just the control switch.

Make sure you retrace your steps and make sure the spark plug wires are put back exactly how they were taken off.

Put your heater temperature control in the max position on(this opens the valve for coolant flow through the heater core). Top off the radiator and the coolant resevoir. Make sure the cap is on tight and bring the engine up to operating temperature. Shut off engine, allow to cool, and top off the radiator again. Repeat these steps until you are sure it will not take anymore coolant. Drive the car at speed for 5 or 10 miles and recheck again when cool. It takes awhile to work air out of the system with multiple openings of the thermostat.

check your fuel filter and air filter first

has it had a tune up?