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Engine has low power, can you help me figure out why?

Tiny
WILLIE L CARTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Shift from first to second good, but third the rpm will go up but the speed does not go up.
Sunday, January 5th, 2020 AT 9:42 AM

59 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Hello,

Do you have a check engine light on? if so lets get the codes. here is a guide to help us get started:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

It could be going into limp mode due to a dirty throttle bore. this guide will help you fix it:

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

Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on? that would be great. You can upload it here with your response. Please run down this guide and report back.
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 5:37 PM
Tiny
CHEVYSILVERADO1500
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155,000 MILES
Current issue truck ate a full tank of gas going the same distance that it usually would take half a tank. I started to sound funny and the check engine llght started to flash. It started to loose speed. First it would run 50 then it slowed to 40 then 30 and last before I towed it home from the rest of the trip 20. After some time of running will knock profusely. The cooling fans seem not to engage and I am perplex as to the cause of the problem ( fuel filter, fuel pump,
MAF sensor, throtle position sensor )
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
It sounds like you have a weak fuel pump, clogged catalytic converter or a bad MAF or MAP sensor but to be sure we should run the codes by checking out this guide.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

we should also go over this guide as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

Please run down these guides and report back.
Joe
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HORSEJACKASS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 6.0L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 19 MILES
Will not get full capacity speed until it reaches 4,000 rpm's then it will shift into full speed. Where is fuel filter and fuel sensor located on this truck Classic model?
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
The fuel filter is part of the fuel pump assembly on this vehicle. I attached the detail about the fuel system for your review.

Just so I am clear on what the issue is, the vehicle stays in the same gear until it reaches 4,000 RPM's in every gear? Or are you saying that it feels like there is low power until it reaches 4,000 RPM's?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-low-engine-power

Let me know and we can go from there. Thanks
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOUGHDIVER
  • MECHANIC
  • 224 POSTS
Hi,

There is no inline fuel filter for this vehicle. Check the diagnostic service codes and the data list it could have a faulty sensor causing a lean condition. Check the quality of the fuel it could be contaminated. Check fuel pressure should be 50-60 with key on. Check intake manifold vacuum should be 17 to 21 psi. if lower than specified check air intake manifold for leaks and exhaust back pressure. I'm attaching service guides below for you to reference.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

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

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MESTRELLA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
Okay, so just now my truck started acting up?
It felt like I lost power literally and when I start from a 0 mph roll its not running like it usually is. Once I give it more gas it revs fine but the rpm and the transmission finally kick in to get it where it should be? What could it be?
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNYP
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,824 POSTS
Hello,

This is common when the throttle bore needs service due to coking, here are two guides that can help us fix the problem:

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SRLAWSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thank you for the first guide it helped me fix the problem. Plus I found a small leak in the air intake tube.
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GABRIEL GABRIEL BOLOGA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 4.3L
  • V6
  • RWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Rebuild the transmission. I replaced the fuel pump, . Injectors. Fuel pressure regulator. Spark plugs, wires, throttle position sensor. Checked rive 5 volts good ground and I still have poor acceleration. Last I do not have catalytic converters they have been removed. Please help! Any ideas?
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
Without catalytic converters, no change is going to take place in the composition of the exhaust gas, so the front and rear oxygen sensors will report exactly the same readings. That is what happens when a converter has failed and is what tells the Engine Computer to set a diagnostic fault code related to that failure. The Check Engine light will be on because the fault codes refer to something that could adversely affect emissions. With the Check Engine light on, you have no way of knowing when another problem is detected. More importantly, the Engine Computer knows it can't rely on the readings from the rear sensors to provide test results for some of the self-tests it runs, so many of those tests will be suspended. You could have a minor problem that might turn into an expensive one, but there will be no way to know which circuit or system has the problem without a fault code. this guide can help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-low-engine-power

The first step is to replace the catalytic converters, erase the current fault codes, then hope a new fault code sets to direct you to the area that needs to be diagnosed.
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GABRIEL GABRIEL BOLOGA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for a response. The only code I have are P0420 and P0430 related to catalytic convertor. So I replace it and the power is back. Thank you again!
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER SA
  • MEMBER
  • 222 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.2L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 270,000 MILES
This is a truck I am looking at getting but want to know if this can be fixed relatively easily.

The truck was being driven one day in December 2018 (quite cold) when it felt like it went into neutral. It was being driven and being given gas and all of a sudden it wasn't doing anything and it started to rev low and came to a creep, basically, going 3-6 miles an hour. Right across the dash where the kilometers are displayed it said 'Low Power' or 'Insufficient Power' or something along those lines. A brand new alternator was purchased and put in but that did not change anything.

What could be the problem? Could it be as simple as the battery terminals need cleaning or re-tightening?

The truck has had regular oil changes.
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Hello,

This might be an easy fix, it sounds like the truck in in limp mode this guide will help you fix it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/reduced-power-limp-mode

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRISTOPHER SA
  • MEMBER
  • 222 POSTS
The truck needed a cat replacement all good now thanks for the information.
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DEAN MOODY2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 6.0L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 277,000 MILES
I have the truck listed above 2500 HD. It has lost almost all engine power. I am not sure what is wrong with it. Any suggestions would be great.
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you could have plugged catalytic converters which is common. Here is a guide to confirm the failure:

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

If confirmed here is a video that shows how to change the catalytic converters out.

https://youtu.be/CORe9JyrexI

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SARAH ELIZABETH CHENETTE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 4.8L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 300,000 MILES
Truck just revs once it hits 3,000 rpm's and will not speed up. Drives fine in first and second gear. We changed the transmission filter but it is still doing it.
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SARAH ELIZABETH CHENETTE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Video.
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

It could be a couple of things.

If the catalytic converter is clogged, it will act like this.

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

The other possibility is low fuel pressure from a bad fuel pump.

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

The pressure needs to be checked to verify.

The catalytic converter needs to be tested as well. You need a back pressure gauge to verify.

Roy
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 AT 6:54 PM (Merged)

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