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

2000 CHEVROLET MALIBU
FWD • AUTOMATIC
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TAYMAN2037
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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!
Apr 5, 2011 at 12:48 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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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
Jul 4, 2011 at 5:00 PM
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THEGIRLS
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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.
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:27 PM
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GRANTGILDER
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at start my car revs up to 4000 rpm hits the cutoff drops to 3000 then back to 4000 cant figure out whats wrong
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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LEGITIMATE007
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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.
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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LEGITIMATE007
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is there a check engine light on?
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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JADEZXY
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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!
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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When the RPM's go up, does the car speed up accordingly?
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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JADEZXY
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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
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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MONKEYSPOIL67
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sometimes when i press the brake the rpm's rev way up like the car wants to accelerate , why ?
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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RHALL77
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you may have a leaking vaccum booster. have it inspected at your local dealer
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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RFG
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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
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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RHALL77
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is there a check engine light on. has there been any work done recently
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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FRESH4U2
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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.
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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SERVICE WRITER
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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.
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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FRESH4U2
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[quote:cc0c84c366="Service Writer"]3.4 motor?
No, I am not losing any coolant. The engine is a 3.1 and it was just rebuit by someone.


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.[/quote:cc0c84c366]
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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SERVICE WRITER
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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.
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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SAILORMARK2
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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.
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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BMRFIXIT
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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
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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SAILORMARK2
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Yep that was it bad leak to vacuum booster . Thanks for the help fellas
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:28 PM (Merged)
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SETH1234
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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
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:29 PM (Merged)
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HMAC300
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check your fluid level first and make sure it is full. otherwise take this to a trans guy and let him scan it. you may have your trans going bad though
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:29 PM (Merged)
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KEYOND91
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I drive a 2001 Chevy Malibu. Every now and then when I take my foot off the accelerator the engine keeps going. The pedal releases but the car won't slow down. It keeps going as if the cruise control is on but it's not.When I do take my foot off the accelerator the rpm picks up a little but the car remains at the same speed.Sometimes when I press the brake pedal it will stop and sometimes it won't.Also when it happens I have to ride the brake until the car stops moving and I turn the car off and crank it once again everything is back to normal.

What could the problem be?
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:29 PM (Merged)
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WRENCHTECH
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Is the check engine light coming on at all?
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:29 PM (Merged)
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KEYOND91
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No the check engine light doesn't come on when it happens.
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:29 PM (Merged)
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WRENCHTECH
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It's probably a dirty or worn out throttle body. Try cleaning it. Remove the intake snorkel, have someone hold the throttle wide open for you and scrub the back side of the throttle plate and surrounding bore with an old tooth brush and some carb cleaner. Be sure to spray some into the small holes next to the throttle plate. That should help stabilize the idle.
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:29 PM (Merged)
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KEYOND91
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Thanks a lot! I'll have that done this weekend and see what happens. I hope this works.
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:29 PM (Merged)
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HOLLYTHOMPSON
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Transmission problem
1999 Chevy Malibu 4 cyl Automatic 157000 miles
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I was going down the road doing 55mph and then when we got to a hill the car not to want to go up the hill. The rpm was going up tp 4 and 5. And like when im in town the car will do good a 20mph but the up the rpm will go up past 2 and want go down the stay up like it want shift.
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:29 PM (Merged)
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YAM
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I would have the transmission checked,if the car is struggling to get up hill and reving high,could be that a gear is slipping.
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:29 PM (Merged)
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MONA CLONINGER
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Idle is way to high, at rpm 2000, after putting car in drive then back in park it raises to 3000 rpm. Happened after car was driven off road into ditch of water. We tried un hooking battery to reset the computer but no luck. What would you suggest?
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:30 PM (Merged)
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FIXITMR
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have you checked for any vacuum hose disconnects/breaks? also check the IAC valve for being stuck open. when you turn key on you should feel it cycle thru it's range. some times described as a rattling noise.
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:30 PM (Merged)
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LARKO20
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I have a 2001 Chevy Malibu. Sometimes when I but the car in park the RPM's sill shoot up 2-3. Also when I have the car in drive and I havent even pushed the gas the car will continuosly accelerate. Up maybe 40 MPH. What my the problems be?
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:30 PM (Merged)
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JETSA
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Sounds like the throttle may be sticking or a vacuum leak. A good technician with a scanner could pinpoint the problem, but that entails taking the car to a shop. Might listen under the hood and see if you can hear a whooshing noise that a vacuum leak makes. While under there, check the throttle. You can move it with your hand. Thinking more on this, its possible the idle air control valve isnt working properly, but as I said earlier, a scanner would tell that.
Oct 16, 2018 at 12:30 PM (Merged)