Running rough, shuts off and code P0101?

BEAUTIFULQUEEN40

MEMBER
2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA
3.8L
2WD
AUTOMATIC
153,000 MILES

The car listed above is a Police Edition. I was on my way home and my car just quit running. I tried to start it back up and it took it about 20 minutes to get it started back up and running. It shut off about six more times after that before I made it home. It’s running really rough. I lost power when I was accelerating. When I try and start her now sometimes it smells like rotten eggs. I changed the fuel filter. I think it’s the catalytic converter that is bad. Also, I was looking it up online and I did find a catalytic converter to buy but at the end of the cat it has a straight pipe, and my pipe has a band in it. Would that make a big difference? I am attaching a video. Please let me know. Thank you. Update she just threw a code p0101 mass air flow sensor. I just replaced this sensor in Aug of last year.

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4 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

It does sound like the catalytic converter. Try removing the oxygen sensor between the engine and the converter to see if it runs any better. If it does, replace the converter.

Take a look at this link and try what it suggests.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

Let me know what you find. Also, if the new pipe indicates a direct fit, it should work fine. Just make sure the bend on the original one isn't there to prevent hitting something.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

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Monday, May 15th, 2023 AT 8:17 PM

BEAUTIFULQUEEN40

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12 POSTS

This evening the car started throwing a code p0101 mass air flow sensor. I just replaced the mass airflow sensor in August of last year. Could this make the car run as rough as it is and not the catalytic converter?

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Monday, May 15th, 2023 AT 8:38 PM

BEAUTIFULQUEEN40

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12 POSTS

I was looking over the car this morning and I found a fuel leak coming from a fuel line connector. Could that be the whole problem?

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Tuesday, May 16th, 2023 AT 12:10 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

It certainly could affect things if the fuel pressure is low. Listening to it, it really did sound rough. Regardless if the leak is the issue, it needs to be repaired. I would fix that and see if it changes anything before further diagnostics.

Let me know if I can help in any way.

Take care,

Joe

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Tuesday, May 16th, 2023 AT 7:50 PM