Malibu Another long running GM name, the Malibu has overcome many changes to be one of the top mid size sedans heading into its eight generation.

Chevrolet Malibu
This area is for FWD models 1997 and newer
Platform: N-, Epsilon, Epsilon II.

2002 Hesitates

Old Mar 18, 2008 | 7:29 PM
  #1  
Shayughul's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Beginner
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default 2002 Hesitates

I have a 2002 with about 115K on it. This weekend I did the plugs, wires, and caps. I have noticed thou that I seem to have lost some power. I verified that they are all correct and I have the right plugs and all. I don't get a check engine light. But it seem to hesitate when I attempt to accelerate. I also noticed it seems to not want to shift. It has a hard time accelerating up hill.

I was hoping somebody might point me in the right direction on how to get this corrected or where to look. Are there any common vacuum issues with this that might cause the Automatic Trans to not want to shift?

TIA

Reply
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 8:10 AM
  #2  
Shayughul's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Beginner
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default RE: 2002 Hesitates

So I have no replaced the plugs, wires, caps, air filter, fuel filter, EGR Valve and have cleaned the Air Intake Manifold, the Air Intake Control and everything else I could think of. In a desperate measure i have drilled holes into the Cat to remove that from the equation and still nothing.

The car still hesitates badly when accelerating from 20 to 40. If I stomp on the gas it will down shift and lose all power until I let off and it finds the proper gear again. The only thing I am not 100% sure on is I used Bosch Platinum Plugs when I did this and they have the 4 arms on it that I cannot gap. Is it possible that the engine just does not like these plugs? Could that be causing all this? I am going to invest in some $2 plugs tonight and put them in and see what happens.

No help at all out there?

Thanks
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 5:33 PM
  #3  
shawnvw's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 14
Default RE: 2002 Hesitates

If it only happened after you did the work, I would say it is something that you did. Some might say its coincidence, but i don't believe in that.

It really sounds like a couple wires are mixed up, but if you are 100% sure they are right, then i would go after the plugs as you say. When you say that you did caps....what does that refer to?
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 8:48 PM
  #4  
Shayughul's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Beginner
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default RE: 2002 Hesitates

Thanks for the reply. I meant the coil packs I think they are called on these.....basically the 3 distributor caps. So I put in some normal plugs and things seem to be a little better. It still hesitates some and will not accelerate uphill at all. It is much much better now thou. Will drive it around tomorrow and see how it does.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 9:23 PM
  #5  
shawnvw's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 14
Default RE: 2002 Hesitates

If its still doing it, check for spark on all cylinders, If there is spark, trying changing the coils back to the old ones. There mnight be one coil failing under load
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
monte99
Monte Carlo & Lumina
2
Mar 18, 2010 8:29 PM
mmiller0
S-10 & Blazer
5
Aug 2, 2009 8:57 PM
02cavagrn
Cavalier
0
Mar 11, 2008 3:28 PM
TXAngel06
TrailBlazer
3
Sep 18, 2007 8:36 AM
sparrow
S-10 & Blazer
3
Sep 17, 2006 1:48 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 3:52 AM.