[ASIAN JUL]

Okay, so as some of you may know the story from before, some of you may not, here's a bit of a back story..

Back in early December, my car, virtually out of nowhere started idling pretty rough. The tach was jumping around between 500 and 1,000 rpms and the car was shaking pretty bad. Check engine light was on, etc. Took it to a place - they had it for a few days. They at first replaced the spark plugs. Problem not fixed. Then they replaced a fuel injector, insisting that it was definitely the problem - installed it, didn't help the problem - they took it back out. Then after a few days they decided it was the timing chain (yes, chain, I don't feel like having everyone go "you mean belt?" No. It's a chain) and that it must've skipped a tooth. Their bottom line was that it and the tensioner would need to be replaced, told me not to drive it for much longer without fixing it. Their estimate for that was $1200. Well, I had shelled out the $450 or so for the brake pads, rotors, oil, spark plugs, and labor and at the time, no other money to dish out. So I said, screw it, I'll drive it around until I can fix it. Then I lost my job.

So, I've been driving it around since December.. same problems, tach jumps, it idles rough. But nowwww, the car hasn't wanted to start about 4 times int the last 3 days, I've had to give it gas. Car almost stalled this past weekend when B turned the a/c on (I assume this is unrelated, though). When I drive, the "Trac Off" light randomly comes on, then randomly goes back off. When I go from a stop, my car lurches/jerks and it's pretty bad - feels like I'm about to stall (actually it feels like how it felt to try to go into first when I first learned stick hahaha), then with a little lead foot persuasion, it goes forward a little, then jerks really bad through second. Seems to be okay after that. Oh, and, it may be my imagination but I also feel like my car is going through gas too fast.

Cliff notes:
Car idles real rough
Shop tried new plugs, fuel injector - it didn't help
Diagnosed as timing chain skipped a tooth
Car jerks really bad going from a stop

So, I'm wondering.. what could this be? Even if you think it's far fetched, throw it out there! Because I'm clueless. I know I know nothing about cars at all - so I'd like to understand or get an idea of what could be wrong, hence my asking. Perhaps this is a dumb suggestion, but could something be wrong with my transmission?

Any, all suggestions would be great.


By the way, 03 Cavalier & it's auto trans.