03 impala acting weird!

f-bomb · #1 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 06:04 PM

my car is acting weird and i need help. heres what its doing, it seems to be bouncing off the rev limiter at about 4500 rpm im neutral , shifting really sluggish and basically just running real bad. any ideas what could be acting up? the check engine light did come on when i ran it against the rev limiter in 2nd gear but it wouldnt shift gear till i let offf the throttle. i dont normally run my car hard but it seems im running harder than i should to get it to run normal.

99BuickLeSabre · #2 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 08:20 PM

A bad ground somewhere?

Start with the basics: plugs, wires, clean the MAF sensor, change the transmission fluid and filter, and look for loose or damaged wires while you're doing all that.

And scan it for codes that may be stored in the computer.

Redlining your car in neutral is also very, very bad for the engine because there's no load on it, so that energy gets absorbed by the engine mounts, wires, etc. in the engine bay instead of propelling the car forward. That type of energy knocks stuff loose.

nhanson · #3 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 08:43 PM

well if the car is stock then it will hit limiter around there...if you go like 20 mph and do the neutral rev it should rev to the 6k limiter...

and if you have the shifter in 2nd gear then it will hit the limiter (wont shift for you - only 1st does that)

get that light scanned

f-bomb · #4 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 08:53 PM

i changed the filter and trans fluid and took it for a drive and the shifting was improved but it still doesnt seem to be running great , also the change oil light is on now.....

99BuickLeSabre · #5 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 09:36 PM

Get some synthetic oil and a quality (non-Fram) oil filter, change the oil, and run the snot out of it for 3000 miles. Then marvel at how much dirt is suspended in the oil, and how much heavier the filter is. And how you're down a quart because the engine consumed it cleaning stuff up.

Also, code scanned, check the plugs and wires, clean the MAF sensor, change the PCV valve, and check the air filter.

If you recently replaced the PCM you need a CASE learn. My car was running a bit funny after I replaced my PCM with an Intense unit. A CASE learn cleared things right up.

Could it be the quality of gas you're using? A bottle of Techron or Regane in a tank of name-brand premium gas (lots of detergents in name-brand premium) will clean things up nicely.

If you've still done all that and with everything else in fine shape mechanically and electrically, order yourself a bottle of Auto-RX, follow the directions to the letter, hurry up and wait, then be amazed in 2 oil changes.