2002 impala hesitates going up hill in hot weather

2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA
60,000 MILES
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HENRYS
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I noticed on a hot day turning a corner that if I push down on the accelerator too hard that the car hesitates/lurches. I thought that it might be the transmission, but in cold weather or when the engine is running in cool weather i can stomp on it and it does not happen. When I leave the trans in 3rd, it still does it. The car is well maintained. What are the easy fixes that I should try first before taking it to the mechanic?
Thanks in advance!
Jul 20, 2012 at 12:26 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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See if it gets worse with the ac on if the ac works?Also have you checked for codes in the computer?
Jul 20, 2012 at 2:28 AM
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HENRYS
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Yes the air cond. works very well and the hesitation happens if it is on or off. The check engine light has not turned on. Any way to check codes without a handheld reader?
Jul 20, 2012 at 9:51 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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I was asking if it was worse with the ac on?Also no way to check codes on that car without atleast a code reader.Amazon has the basic one for like 20 and you can get one that reads some live data for 50 something on amazon.
Jul 20, 2012 at 8:13 PM
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HENRYS
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It is worse with the air on. Will I get codes without the check engine light in?
Jul 21, 2012 at 1:54 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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You can still have codes without a check engine light.If its worse with the ac on it could be spark plug wires spark plugs etc.
Jul 21, 2012 at 6:01 PM
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HENRYS
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I also noticed that at times, when i step on it that there is a sound like a tuning harp that comes from what sounds like behind the radio. Vacuum leak. Think its related?
Jul 22, 2012 at 2:05 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Could be a vacuum leak but really dont think its related.So is it worse with the ac on?
Jul 23, 2012 at 8:52 PM
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HENRYS
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Yes, it is worse with ac on.
Jul 23, 2012 at 10:50 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Sounds like it could be the ignition system have you checked the plugs and wires?
Jul 24, 2012 at 1:26 AM
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HENRYS
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I looked under the hood and did not see any sparks jumping. Any other easy way to check?
Jul 24, 2012 at 10:56 AM
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HENRYS
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Would a failing spark plug cause this?
Jul 24, 2012 at 10:57 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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A bad plug could cause it but more likely a bad wire.You can check wires with a multimeter but its not a perfect test.Hard to test it when there hot and under load with the ignition.A lab scope can test wires.
Jul 25, 2012 at 2:25 AM
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HENRYS
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Even today at 60 degrees, it started doing it with out the air conditioning on. Why is it so intermittent?
Jul 25, 2012 at 9:55 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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I have seen sensors spark plugs wires etc be very intermintant.Do you have a multimeter to do some testing?
Jul 26, 2012 at 7:18 PM
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HENRYS
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I do. What I looking for?
Jul 27, 2012 at 8:18 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Measure the spark plug wires resistance when its hot and acting up they should be similar resistance with the similar length wires.See if any of the wires really stand out compared to the others.Also you can get some water mixed with a little salt and spray the wires at night with it idling and the engine nice and hot.
Jul 27, 2012 at 9:32 PM
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HENRYS
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I noticed today that it was chugging. Almost like full power, then none( or reduced). Took it to Advance and there were no codes when checked.
Jul 27, 2012 at 11:09 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Check the fuel pressure when its acting up also check what i suggested.
Jul 27, 2012 at 11:34 PM
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HENRYS
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I guess starting with a new fuel filter would be a good start?
Jul 27, 2012 at 11:38 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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You can try that pop it off and see if its clogged or restricted?Usually a filter doesnt solve those kind of issues unless its totally clogged.
Jul 27, 2012 at 11:45 PM
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HENRYS
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I'll put it on the list for next week!
Jul 27, 2012 at 11:52 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Ok sounds good.
Jul 28, 2012 at 12:01 AM
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SINDYE
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Henry.
I am having the exact same problem. 102,000 2003 3.8 V-6
Friend who is a car person says spark plugs wires. Had it in shop on Sat. They pulled a code from mine P300. Random nonspecific engine code. Tech took it for a drive and made it flash and chime on on-ramp which it has never done for me. Have to take it back for Master Jedi Engine Mechanic to look at it. Stay tuned (excuse pun)
Jul 29, 2012 at 5:45 PM
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HENRYS
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My bro-n-law claims it could be one of the O2 sensors. He said they could fail without throwing a code. I that possible?
Jul 29, 2012 at 6:12 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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It is possible to have a bad O2 sensor and no code.But i highly doubt its causing your problem.Its way more likely you have some bad spark plug wires.
Jul 29, 2012 at 9:52 PM
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HENRYS
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The car finally got bad enough and through a code for Mass Air Flow Sensor. I cleaned it with the MAFS cleaner. We will see if this works.
Aug 8, 2012 at 11:27 AM
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HENRYS
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Cleaned the MAFS and it still does it. Hmmm..
Aug 21, 2012 at 12:24 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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What is the exact code number you have?Not code descriptions.
Aug 21, 2012 at 12:59 AM
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HENRYS
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The helper at advance said that $250 code reader said MAFS pulled the code. It has not recreated another code.
Aug 21, 2012 at 1:51 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Try this while at idle use a screw driver and lightly tap on the outside of the mass air flow sensor see if it changes the way it runs.
Aug 21, 2012 at 2:06 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Forgot to mention use the screwdriver handle to do the taping
Aug 21, 2012 at 3:46 PM
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HENRYS
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I did the tapping with no change. Tapped hard but not enough to break anything. Idle did not change. Ideas?
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:02 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Depending on what code you had it could be a bad maf sensor wire or computer.Or even.another problem
Aug 21, 2012 at 10:08 PM
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HENRYS
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I had a mechanic friend suggest corrosion in the grounding straps. Where do I find them?
Aug 24, 2012 at 5:30 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Setting the mass air flow sensor code? It would really help to know what that code was you had?
Aug 25, 2012 at 1:47 AM
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HENRYS
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I was getting a P0102 code. That said that it was a low voltage in the mass airflow sensor. It also said it was caused by a bad wire or bad vacuum. I checked all the wires for corrosion and fretting and did not find any and the air Plenum looked well sealed. I replaced the mass airflow sensor and now the car seems to be with not having any problems. Hopefully that solves the problem
Sep 10, 2012 at 8:39 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Sounds like you found the problem unless its the wires to the connector and they got moved around.Keep me posted.
Sep 10, 2012 at 8:42 PM