Thanks Dick, Between you and Dave Grove I have enough stuff to check for the next three weeks before I have to post any more annoying questions. That was me with the earlier starter problems. The sound is only moderately expensive sounding, kind of like it kicks back, or like you're trying to start it when the starter is already turning. A minor grinding. Still probably pretty bad. What I meant by teeth off was that a friend's car needed the starter shimmed so that the starter gear would match up with the ring gear. This car is stone stock so that's not likely, but ... I'm not so much afraid to carry gas as I am having trouble getting a suitable container. Plastic deteriorates with gas in it for any length of time and most of the other containers I find won't seal tight enough. Even if they don't leak the smell of gas permeates the entire car. I tend to think the shudder is the front end, but I never had a lock-up before, so I wondered. The front end is pretty loose. The tranny probably needs some attention so I'll try a fluid/filter change and adjustment. I found the collected 80's e-mails on the teamchicago site, so I'll be reading them for the next week or so. I know not to run it low on fuel, but my car doesn't even have an in-tank pump anymore. My car is probably pretty sensitive to this because I seem to have a priming issue at start-up. I had it at four gallons and when I went on an on-ramp (right hand turn) it immediately read low fuel and even 0 gallons for a time. At that time the flashing started, so I quickly stopped for a gas and go. With all these problems, the worst things about the car are the crushed front fender and droopy headliner. Thanks again. Book over, my test light and I have some work to do. Rob _________________________________________________________________ Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee® Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963