Idle problem, no power to climb

DONNA TAYLOR

MEMBER
1993 CHEVROLET LUMINA
3.1L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
139,000 MILES

The car will drive fine until you come to a stop or go up an incline, it spits and sputters, and acts like it wants to shut off, while stopped and at an idle, it sounds like it wants to shut off, and going up an incline, it has no power at all, you gotta work the gas pedal and keep giving it gas, it runs rich, you can smell the gas like it's flooded or something.
I think it's the idle control sensor or maybe needs a fuel filter.
any thoughts or ideas? Thanks

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Welcome to 2CarPros.

Honestly, it sounds like either you have too much fuel pressure or a plugged catalytic converter. We need to start by checking for diagnostic trouble codes. The vehicle has an OBD 1 system and can be checked without a scanner. All you will need is a short jumper wire or even a paper clip. Follow the directions in this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/buick-cadillac-chevy-gmc-oldsmobile-pontiac-gm-1983-1995-obd1-code-definitions-and-retrieval-method

Next, we need to check fuel pressure. Here is a link that shows how it is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Here are the specifications specific to your vehicle:

FUEL PRESSURE:

Ignition "ON" Engine "OFF" .................... 40.5 to 47.0 psi

With Regulator Vacuum Applied [1] ..... 3.0 to 10.0 psi Less than Ignition "ON" Engine "OFF"

REMARKS:

[1] May be checked with either of the following methods.

With Pressure Regulator Vacuum Line Attached at normal idle speed.
Ignition "ON" Engine "OFF" with 10 Inches Of Vacuum Applied To The Pressure Regulator.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If the pressure is good, we need to confirm the catalytic converter isn't partially plugged. Here are a few links to explain a faulty converter's symptoms, how to check one and in general directions for replacement.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bad-catalytic-converter-symptoms

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

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/catalytic-converter-replacement

Do these tests and let me know the results.

Take care,
Joe