lose power then engine starts running rough. i have to turn truck off then restart it
truck will start fine then after awhile i will lose power then the engine starts running rough till i turn it off then i will turn it back on it will run smooth then it will do it again. first time it did it i thought i had run out of gas because i was close to empty. i was by a gas station and made it after i put gas in it started right away but has been doing this since then
My car has 130000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
When looking into this problem that you have I came across a possible fault with the power train control module (PCM) causing different throttle sensor codes. A technical service bulletin identified the part number and date ranges for your PCM. Another possible cause is a fault with the instrument’s cluster wiring or an issue with the cluster itself. The vehicle will need to be scanned and tested to pinpoint which area to check. You may just have fuel injectors that need to be cleaned causing the misfire. I’d suggest getting some assistance from a certified technician who can help you diagnose your rough idle and make the necessary repairs to your vehicle.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
The main reasons why your Chevy truck might be losing power when accelerating are low engine compression, clogged fuel or air filter, faulty fuel pump, and so on.
The most common reasons a Chevrolet Colorado has rough idle are a vacuum leak, an issue with the spark plugs, or a problem with the ignition coil. Search our network of RepairPal Certified shops near you to speak with a technician about your issue. Oops! We got lost!
This issue is related to the throttle position sensor, and can be caused by faulty wiring to the TPS, bad connection at the TPS, or a failed TPS. To correct this issue, the wiring harness, connector, and throttle position sensor must be inspected, tested, and/or replaced. The most common cause is a faulty TPS.
Either you don`t have enough petrol, or you don`t have enough power in your vehicle. There are several causes for your car to lose power significantly while accelerating. The most typical causes of a car not accelerating while driving include a faulty sensor, contaminated fuel or air filters, or a faulty timing belt.
The most likely issue is that a component is clogged. A clogged fuel filter is the most common reason, although a loss of power in your car could also indicate problems with the fuel pump or fuel line. Impurities or debris may be blocking the system, which causes the loss of power in a car.
Oxygen (O2) sensor
An oxygen sensor monitors and analyzes the amount of oxygen in a vehicle`s exhaust system after combustion. A dirty, damaged or malfunctioning O2 sensor (or sensors) affects the air/fuel mixture, causing the engine to idle rough.
The most common cause of engine sputtering are issues with the fuel system. These can range from bad fuel filters, fuel pump issues, or fuel injector issues. The other possible source of the problem would be due to poor ignition – think spark plugs or ignition coil problems.
Faulty throttle and pedal position sensor
Any problem within the TAC system can cause the reduced engine power warning light to go on. One of the more common reasons includes one or both APP sensors in the accelerator pedal or the pair of TP sensors.
Low engine oil, loose cables, and a clogged catalytic converter commonly cause reduced engine power. Tighten loose cables or clean your oxygen and mass air flow sensors to bypass reduced engine power. Replace your battery or catalytic converter if they are damaged to override reduced engine power.
Proper maintenance plays a big role in longevity, but the Colorado can be expected to last 200,000 to 300,000 miles. 200,000 seems to be the general life expectancy for the engine, however, some Colorado owners say their truck is still going strong well after 300,000 miles.
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This is a common symptom of a plug or wire electrical current problem. Air or Vacuum Hose – Another common cause for engine vibration and power loss is when air or vacuum hoses come loose, begin to leak, or rupture. The three necessities for all combustion engines are air, fuel, and spark.
You will feel a loss in power while accelerating and at times intermittent jerks. To solve this issue find the fuel filter located in the engine bay or near the fuel tank in your car`s trunk. If the fuel filter is clogged replace it if you have the skills to do so or get it changed at your local mechanic shop.
Faulty spark plugs result in an engine misfire due to incomplete burning fuel. An interrupted combustion process can significantly affect the engine performance. Unattended engine misfire may result in intermittent strange engine sounds, power loss, and engine knock.
Dirty/Faulty Fuel Injectors – Fuel injection systems play an essential role in starting your vehicle. The system injects fuel and air into the cylinders. If clogged or gummed up, the injectors don`t provide the right mix of fuel and air, resulting in a rough idle or slow acceleration.
Engine Idles Roughly: A rough idling engine could be caused by a failing camshaft position sensor. This issue is more evident when the engine is idling. Hesitation: Hesitation during acceleration is a common issue that you may experience with a bad camshaft sensor.
Engine Misfires
Perhaps the single most common cause of rough idle comes in the form of a misfiring engine. As you may know, any automotive engine contains multiple cylinders. Each of these cylinders contributes to powering your car by combusting a mixture of gasoline and air.
How to fix it? Cleaning or replacing the fuel filter and adding a fuel injector cleaning treatment to the fuel tank should take care of clogged fuel injectors. If the rough idle persists, it`s time to take your car to an auto repair shop.
Finally, as mentioned above, if your oxygen sensor is going out you may experience engine performance problems such as sputtering and surging. The sputtering is caused when the engine control unit puts too much air in the combustion chamber.
The P0300 code means that a cylinder(s) is misfiring or is randomly misfiring. Start by checking for intake leaks, intake gaskets are common caused of multi-cylinder misfiring. If no leak are found the next step is to replace the spark plugs. If the problem persist more tests needs to be done to diagnose problem.
Will a bad O2 sensor cause rough idle and loss of engine power? You bet. Moreover, you may also notice poor acceleration, engine misfires, and even stalling.
If the crankshaft position sensor or its wiring have any issues, it can cause the crankshaft signal to be cut off while the engine is running, which can cause the engine to stall. This is usually a sign of a wiring problem. However, a bad crankshaft position sensor can also produce this symptom.
A malfunctioning TPS will cause your engine to run poorly. Generally the engine will idle fine but will have difficulty accelerating. This is because the computer isn`t telling the engine to inject as much fuel as is required, while at the same time airflow is increasing.
A bad MAF sensor can cause your vehicle to experience poor drivability issues such as engine stalling, jerking or hesitation during acceleration.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
lose power then engine starts running rough. i have to turn truck off then restart it
ANSWER : When looking into this problem that you have I came across a possible fault with the power train control module (PCM) causing different throttle sensor codes. A technical service bulletin identified the part number and date ranges for your PCM. Another possible cause is a fault with the instrument’s cluster wiring or an issue with the cluster itself. The vehicle will need to be scanned and tested to pinpoint which area to check. You may just have fuel injectors that need to be cleaned causing the misfire. I’d suggest getting some assistance from a certified technician who can help you diagnose your rough idle and make the necessary repairs to your vehicle.
I parked my truck for 5-10 mins. Tried to turn it on, now it wont start, called a tow tow truck 15-20mins later my truck turned on
ANSWER : It is very likely that you have a powertrain control module failure. This can happen often on many GM vehicles. I would recommend having the powertrain control module tested and replaced as necessary in order to resolve this issue. After the powertrain control module is replaced, a reflash procedure will be required so that the vehicle can relearn all of its primary engine data. Once the reflash is completed, your vehicle should no longer have this issue.
I changed the fuel pump and truck ran great for 3 days. Now after 3 days, the truck dies. It will start running for a few minutes, then dies like before.
ANSWER : Hi there, thanks for writing in. I’d be happy to help. It sounds like you should disconnect the connector to the fuel pump and inspect it for any signs of getting hot. The female connections may be too loose on the fuel pump and lose contact after running and getting hot. If there are indeed any signs of problems, then I’d suggest replacing connector and adding dielectric lube to pins before installation. This should solve the problem, but if you continue to experience issues, feel free to reach out to us for help again.
Vehicle won’t start, once it’s jump started it only stays running until you turn it off, then it work start again without jumping.
ANSWER : Hi there. There could be two problems here. It is possible that your battery is bad and will not take a charge from your alternator while driving. In that case every time you shut your car off you will not have enough juice to start it again. Inspect your battery – it should have at least 12.5 to 13 volts to start your car, if it doesn’t you will need to replace the battery. The second problem could be that your alternator is bad and not charging your battery, in this case you will need to replace your alternator. Both the battery and the alternator can be tested in your car. If you would like to have the car checked for you, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the starting problem and proceed with repairs.
No power on Start up, I jiggle the negative cable and it turns on. Now getting a reduced engine power message
ANSWER : Hi there. In most cases, the reduced power light and the battery terminal problem indicates two different issues. It’s probably best to replace the battery and both cables to resolve the initial starting issue you’ve described. In regards to the reduced power light and symptoms, it’s best to have a professional mechanic complete a warning light inspection to isolate the root source of this problem and recommend or complete the right repairs.
Vehicle started running rough while driving. Now running/idling rough running rich.
ANSWER : Hello. From the symptoms you describe, it would appear that your vehicle is having issues with the oxygen sensors. P0172 is the code for bank 1 being too rich. This can be caused by a wide variety of issues. The other two codes are for the sensors on bank 2, having excessively high voltage.
This may be due to the rich condition, faulty oxygen sensors, or faulty wiring. The black smoke and soot is a result of excessive fuel that is not being properly burned, and exiting the tailpipe as smoke. A few common causes for these symptoms are a bad fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, or engine management sensor. As engine management systems can sometimes be difficult to diagnose, I would recommend having the rough idling issue inspected by a professional technician.
What if the VSA turns on during startup and doesn’t turn off and what I do is I turn off the engine and start again. This time aro
ANSWER : Hi there. If the VSA light is coming on and shutting off but does not come back on until the next start, then this is a normal condition as the light is telling the drive that the VSA system is deactivated. There is a switch under the dash to turn on and off the VSA system. Try the switch to see if the light continues to come on or off. If the same issue is occurring, then the wheel speed sensors or the VSA switch has failed. If you need further assistance with your warning VSA light coming on, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
I’ve got a 97 Taurus. The other day, I would turn the key and the engine would turn slowly but not start. All of the lights and ra
ANSWER : You should have the battery tested after running the engine to try and charge it up. Have battery load tested to see if it can hold a load and replace it if it cannot. Then have the charging system checked to make sure it is charging at the correct rate.
