Complete Power Loss!

[camaroluvr447]

For several years now my car has had a slight blip around 2500 RPM, just a split second power loss. Almost unnoticable and nothing I was too concerned about. Over the course of last week however it has gotten drastically worse and is rapidly becoming un-drivable. In any gear, but most commonly third, it will randomly lose 95% of its power through all rpm ranges. When in first gear and it happens I cannot top 10 mph. My first thought was a bad coil pack or something interfering with the spark, however there is no chugging or misfire like sounds, just a instant and very smooth power loss. I have not been able to correlate this with wet or dry weather, or any other environmental factors. It is happening for increasingly long periods of time. Usually I can get it to go away by quickly working the pedal until the engine just comes back to life. I have msd coil packs, plugs and wires, engine appears to be healthy with routine maintainence. I am stumped, any ideas?

[HASTINGSRJ]

clean the Maf, new plugs, wires, O2's

[Too Fast]

Check your fuel pressure. Sounds like the pump is dying. It may be a dirty MAF, but usually this is a constant thing, not off and on. SES light on?

[HASTINGSRJ]

another question, when you say MSD ignition in your sig, are you talking about MSD coil packs?

[Smittro]

For several years now my car has had a slight blip around 2500 RPM, just a split second power loss. Almost unnoticable and nothing I was too concerned about. Over the course of last week however it has gotten drastically worse and is rapidly becoming un-drivable. In any gear, but most commonly third, it will randomly lose 95% of its power through all rpm ranges. When in first gear and it happens I cannot top 10 mph. My first thought was a bad coil pack or something interfering with the spark, however there is no chugging or misfire like sounds, just a instant and very smooth power loss. I have not been able to correlate this with wet or dry weather, or any other environmental factors. It is happening for increasingly long periods of time. Usually I can get it to go away by quickly working the pedal until the engine just comes back to life. I have msd coil packs, plugs and wires, engine appears to be healthy with routine maintainence. I am stumped, any ideas?

another question, when you say MSD ignition in your sig, are you talking about MSD coil packs?

yup

OP, still running factory cats?

[Smittro]

Check your fuel pressure. Sounds like the pump is dying. It may be a dirty MAF, but usually this is a constant thing, not off and on. SES light on?

....and this...

[camaroluvr447]

msd coil packs, plugs and wires. they are not that old either, maybe 20,000 miles. And yes stock cats. Why would stock cats matter?

[Smittro]

msd coil packs, plugs and wires. they are not that old either, maybe 20,000 miles. And yes stock cats. Why would stock cats matter?

lol clogged cat/s will definetly cause power loss..

[konigandy6]

lol clogged cat/s will definetly cause power loss..

+1

SES light will tell you. Is it on? Does it come on and flash while the problem is happening?

[Smittro]

+1

SES light will tell you. Is it on? Does it come on and flash while the problem is happening?

Tho mine was a 3800, when my cat was dieing it did'nt code right away.

But it would'nt even climb a small grade either.. Later on I got the efficiency code..

[camaroluvr447]

ses light is always on because I installed a manual override switch for the cooling fan and left out the resistor. I am going to advance today to check the codes. Also buying a fuel filter, and I will rent a fuel pressure gauge and I will clean the MAF. Do you guys really think the cats could be bad at 105,000?

[Smittro]

ses light is always on because I installed a manual override switch for the cooling fan and left out the resistor. I am going to advance today to check the codes. Also buying a fuel filter, and I will rent a fuel pressure gauge and I will clean the MAF. Do you guys really think the cats could be bad at 105,000?

Mine died @ 80k and there are some here in the LS1's that had issue around the same mileage when thiers died..

However untill you get it scanned it all guess work really.

[Smittro]

Oh yeah and when my fuel pump died the car simply stopped but would idle some after sitting then die..

[konigandy6]

ses light is always on because I installed a manual override switch for the cooling fan and left out the resistor. I am going to advance today to check the codes. Also buying a fuel filter, and I will rent a fuel pressure gauge and I will clean the MAF. Do you guys really think the cats could be bad at 105,000?

Absolutely could be bad... That is why GM extended the warranty for the converters to 10 years/120k.

I'm surprised they haven't plugged yet.

[camaroluvr447]

well if it is the cats then I guess I am forced to go get an off road y and pacesetters. What a misfortune! lol!

[Smittro]

well if it is the cats then I guess I am forced to go get an off road y and pacesetters. What a misfortune! lol!

[konigandy6]

well if it is the cats then I guess I am forced to go get an off road y and pacesetters. What a misfortune! lol!

OH NOES!!!!! Not more power!!!!!



Do it!!!!

[HASTINGSRJ]

did this problem start after the MSD coil packs were put on the car? I have heard nothing but bad things about those things. My buddy had a problem with his car misfireing with those coil packs

[Smittro]

did this problem start after the MSD coil packs were put on the car? I have heard nothing but bad things about those things. My buddy had a problem with his car misfireing with those coil packs

Same here. The factory units are fine in most cases and the gains from after market coils are not anything to write home about..imho

[camaroluvr447]

The msd coils were on the car when I bought it unfortunatly. I replaced the Air Temp Sensor as the car was throwing code p0113 (Air temp circuit input too high) and a fuel pump. Havnt driven it yet, I will post up the results!