Problem with my 2002 Pontiac Grand Am
3.4L
SES light
codes = P0404; P0300
work done prior = None
work done to repair = Replaced fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator,
plugs, plug wires, air filter, and EGR valve. The EGR valve was replaced
after the service engine soon light came on. All other repairs were
made before the light came on but after symptoms started to appear.
Pontiac tech = mw
question = The thing surges,sputters, and just flat runs bad. Has no
power to pull itself up hills. If I drive it like there's an egg under
the gas pedal, I can run 80 mph on flat ground easily. Start up a grade
of any sort and it falls on it's face. Starting out from a dead stop is
an adventure too. That's where it does most of it's spitting and
sputtering. It has good exhaust flow and no rattling coming from the
catalytic converter. What am I missing here? Why does my car do this. Could a bad
gas cap cause this?
Could it be a bad PCM?
MW:
These conditions sure do sound like a plugged cat. converter. Placing your hand
over the tailpipe when revving engine when it has no power can be misleading
unless you have done it many times before, or can compare to a car with the same
engine. A back pressure test is the proper way to test that. A plugged converter will
give lack of power on acceleration, misfire codes, and egr position codes.
Aside from a plugged converter, low fuel pressure can also cause this, but not the
EGR code. A plugged EGR passage to the intake will cause EGR codes, but not
misfire and no power.
Restricted injectors will misfires and no power, but not EGR codes.
Suggest having an exhaust backpressure test done.
VISITOR:
I forgot to mention that I was a tech for a bit over 12 years but Driveability wasn't
one of my stronger suits. I have good exhaust flow. I unplugged the EGR valve and
test drove the car a short distance. The problem is still there but not half as bad as
it was. It is actually a lot better. Initial acceleration is very acceptable now and will
pull hills with very little problem. Still thinking converter? What controls the PCM's
instructions to the EGR valve for voltage? Could I have a faulty PCM? What about
bad upper intake manifold and gaskets?
MW:
Mass airflow sensor if any could cause your no power problem. I have never seen
an EGR cause the problems you are having. Disconnecting the EGR is just turning
it off. IT will come on anytime you try to accelerate, so it sounds like the EGR
coming on as it should is just making your problem worse, not causing the problem.
Have fuel pressure checked, exhaust backpressure checked. You can unplug the
MAF and drive it to see if there is a difference. Be sure EGR is plugged back in.
EGR is not the cause of your problem, but when it comes on, it makes it worse. If
TPS failed, it should have set a code.
VISITOR:
right on the money. 766.00 later with a new cat. Converter in place runs like a top.
Thanks for all your help. I'll jump back on the site and throw some green your way.
Appreciate it.
3.4L
SES light
codes = P0404; P0300
work done prior = None
work done to repair = Replaced fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator,
plugs, plug wires, air filter, and EGR valve. The EGR valve was replaced
after the service engine soon light came on. All other repairs were
made before the light came on but after symptoms started to appear.
Pontiac tech = mw
question = The thing surges,sputters, and just flat runs bad. Has no
power to pull itself up hills. If I drive it like there's an egg under
the gas pedal, I can run 80 mph on flat ground easily. Start up a grade
of any sort and it falls on it's face. Starting out from a dead stop is
an adventure too. That's where it does most of it's spitting and
sputtering. It has good exhaust flow and no rattling coming from the
catalytic converter. What am I missing here? Why does my car do this. Could a bad
gas cap cause this?
Could it be a bad PCM?
MW:
These conditions sure do sound like a plugged cat. converter. Placing your hand
over the tailpipe when revving engine when it has no power can be misleading
unless you have done it many times before, or can compare to a car with the same
engine. A back pressure test is the proper way to test that. A plugged converter will
give lack of power on acceleration, misfire codes, and egr position codes.
Aside from a plugged converter, low fuel pressure can also cause this, but not the
EGR code. A plugged EGR passage to the intake will cause EGR codes, but not
misfire and no power.
Restricted injectors will misfires and no power, but not EGR codes.
Suggest having an exhaust backpressure test done.
VISITOR:
I forgot to mention that I was a tech for a bit over 12 years but Driveability wasn't
one of my stronger suits. I have good exhaust flow. I unplugged the EGR valve and
test drove the car a short distance. The problem is still there but not half as bad as
it was. It is actually a lot better. Initial acceleration is very acceptable now and will
pull hills with very little problem. Still thinking converter? What controls the PCM's
instructions to the EGR valve for voltage? Could I have a faulty PCM? What about
bad upper intake manifold and gaskets?
MW:
Mass airflow sensor if any could cause your no power problem. I have never seen
an EGR cause the problems you are having. Disconnecting the EGR is just turning
it off. IT will come on anytime you try to accelerate, so it sounds like the EGR
coming on as it should is just making your problem worse, not causing the problem.
Have fuel pressure checked, exhaust backpressure checked. You can unplug the
MAF and drive it to see if there is a difference. Be sure EGR is plugged back in.
EGR is not the cause of your problem, but when it comes on, it makes it worse. If
TPS failed, it should have set a code.
VISITOR:
right on the money. 766.00 later with a new cat. Converter in place runs like a top.
Thanks for all your help. I'll jump back on the site and throw some green your way.
Appreciate it.
Read my comment here (#39)
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