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RPM doesn't drop as I accelerate - not shifting?

Tiny
TAYMAN2037
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
While driving, the RPM reading won't drop as I accelerate. I know that generally while accelerating the engine is supposed to get louder gradually, along with the RPM rising, before the sound dies down and the RPM drops. However, the RPM does not drop while I drive. If I accelerate to 30 MPH, I am RPMing about 2000. I know I am not supposed to RPM this high at 30 MPH. If I let go of the accelerator, the RPM will drop all the way to 1000, but if I accelerate again while still going 30 MPH, the RPM jumps all the way back to 2000. This problem has been on and off; some days the car will not RPM down while I accelerate, other days it works fine. I can usually tell what the car is going to do when I changed gears after starting the car; it usually won't RPM down if the engine "lurches" after I shift into drive or park and then let off the brake. Help is appreciated, thanks!
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Tuesday, April 5th, 2011 AT 12:48 AM

32 Replies

Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like the throttle bore is dirty causing the correlation to be lost between the throttle actuator and the pedal sensor. Start by disconnecting the battery and then follow this guide.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-idles-too-high

Please run down these guides and report back

Cheers
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Monday, July 4th, 2011 AT 5:00 PM
Tiny
THEGIRLS
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
Thank you for this post I followed the guide it worked perfect the throttle bore was a mess! Lol all fixed. I love this site.
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:27 PM
Tiny
GRANTGILDER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
At start my car revs up to 4000 rpm hits the cutoff drops to 3000 then back to 4000 cant figure out whats wrong
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Could be a few things, a vacuum leak is usually the first suspect, but also the engine coolant temp sensor. If its faulty it may send readings to the computer and cause the computer to raise the revs in order to warm it up.. I would also consider a dirty throttle body and plate.
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Is there a check engine light on?
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JADEZXY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 11,200 MILES
My car will drive along fine get up to 40 50 60 mph rpms just keep going up n up. I dont feel it shifting into 3rd gear. Doesnt hesitate to pick up speed at all just races the engine and RPMS is tranny slipping or is it one f the many sensors in ths car!
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
When the RPM's go up, does the car speed up accordingly?
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JADEZXY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Mine does the same thing and yes the car speeds up according to rpms but you can tell tranny not shifting fro the sound of the motor
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MONKEYSPOIL67
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Sometimes when I press the brake the rpm's rev way up like the car wants to accelerate, why?
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
You may have a leaking vaccum booster. Have it inspected at your local dealer
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RFG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU
Engine Performance problem
2000 Chevy Malibu 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 210 km miles

sounds like im at 60kms when im going only 30kms theres also aclicking sound
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
Is there a check engine light on. Has there been any work done recently
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FRESH4U2
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 88,000 MILES
I have a code of p0300, I already change the Spark Plugs and wires and still does the same thing. When I rev the engine it seems good but very rough at idle.
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
3.4 motor?

The multiple misfire code on this engine makes me think of an intake manifold gasket leak. Are you losing any coolant?

The 3.8 motor has some issues with the intake itself, again a coolant loss is associated with this.
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FRESH4U2
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
I would think that "someone" would warranty the work if it comes down to a mechanical issue.

I was thinking Impala when I posted this. The 3.1 is an intake problem too: www. Dexcoolsettlements. Com

Assuming there are no vacuum leaks, I would next check the fuel pressure for the right spec.
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SAILORMARK2
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
I just changed the intake manifold gasket and when I got it back together it starts at high rpm and rises. The engine gets hot and I don't see fans come on. I bled the cooling system but no change. Also it seems now I have to bleed my brakes as It is hard to stop. Oil doesnt seem milky so I think everything is ok there. Please help.
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Brakes hard !
Check for vacuum leaks
check and make sure have vacuum at the brake booster
vacuum leak will cause a high idle and stalling
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SAILORMARK2
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yep that was it bad leak to vacuum booster. Thanks for the help fellas
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SETH1234
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 10,500 MILES
When I go up a hill and step on the gas the rpms go up and when its gonna shift it doesnt and it over revs so I have to step off the gas and go up the hill slowly and when I get to the top of the hill its fine
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Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 AT 12:29 PM (Merged)

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