2002 Monte Carlo ss

When the light was flashing and I kept it at full throttle the light would stay on. My friend had a gm code reader, and it said #1 cyclinder was misfireing. So I then thought it was the plug or wires, so I changed both of them. But I still have this issue, if I drive like a grampa it drives not bad but when it gets to like 3000rpm it seems funny like loss of power, and if it hits 4500rpm it starts to flash. Could it be a possible fuel problem, my next guess was fuel filter, maybe there is sumthing there to make it not get the fuel needed at higher rpm

thank you for your time

Evan Thompson

Saskatoon, SK

Have your catalty converter checked my montecarlo did that it would not gain speed real fast and if you put your foot in it itwould not go hardly at all

I had the same exact problem with my 2002 Monte. Only it was saying that there was a misfire in cylinder 4. I changed all plugs and wires and continued to have the same problem with the power loss and "check engine" light flashing or staying on. I looked online and found that my vehicle fell under a "Policy Adjustment" for a replacement catalytic converter. Which is what my problem was found to be. They replaced my catalytic converter in less than an hour and my Monte is running fine now.

Hope this helps.

Here's a copy of the "Policy Adjustment".

Subject: Special Policy Adjustment - Catalytic Converter #05551 - (09/14/2005)

Models: 2001-02 CHEVROLET IMPALA, MONTE CARLO

2001-02 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

2001-02 BUICK REGAL

EQUIPPED WITH 3.4L (RPO LA1 - VIN E) OR 3.8L (RPO L36 - VIN K) V6 ENGINE

Condition
Some customers of 2001-02 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo; Pontiac Grand Prix; and Buick Regal model vehicles, equipped with a 3.4L (RPO LA1 - VIN E) or 3.8L (RPO L36 - VIN K) V6 engine, may experience a condition where the vehicle exhaust catalytic converter is replaced due to complaints of lack of power or illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL). This may be due to the front endcone insulation from the catalytic converter breaking away and blocking the front of the first catalyst brick and preventing the free flow of exhaust gas through the converter.

Special Policy Adjustment
This special policy covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 120,000 miles (190,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.

For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after September 15, 2005 are covered by this special policy and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to September 15, 2005 must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.

Vehicles Involved
Involved are all 2001-02 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo; Pontiac Grand Prix; Buick Regal model vehicles, equipped with a 3.4L (RPO LA1 - VIN E) or 3.8L (RPO L36 - VIN K) V6 engine and built within the following VIN breakpoints:

Year
Division
Model
From
Through

2201
Chevrolet
Impala
19100001
19378250

2001
Chevrolet
Monte Carlo
19100001
19378233

2001
Pontiac
Grand Prix
1F100004
1F275188

2001
Buick
Regal
11100004
11338085

2002
Chevrolet
Impala
29100001
29374833

2002
Chevrolet
Monte Carlo
29100016
29374832

2002
Pontiac
Grand Prix
2F100019
2F276927

2002
Buick
Regal
21100001
21288762

Parts Information
Parts required to complete this special policy are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO).

Part Number
Description
Qty/ Vehicle

10343187
Converter, Catalytic (L36 engine)
1

10343185
Converter, Catalytic (LA1 engine)
1

10328740
Gasket, Catalytic Converter (Converter to I-Pipe, both)
1

15286606
Gasket, Exh Manif Pipe (L36)
1

24505057
Gasket, Exh Manif Pip (LA1)
1

Customer Notification
General Motors will notify customers of this special policy on their vehicles (see copy of typical customer letter included with this bulletin - actual divisional letter may vary slightly).

Service Procedure
Catalytic Converter Inspection
Begin the inspection by reviewing the condition described by the customer. Refer to "Description and Operation, " SI document 657895, to help you determine the correct symptom diagnostic procedure when a malfunction exists.