probs with a malibu (3.1L)

[red98grandamse]

My stepsister is having an issue with her malibu, not sure of the year of the car, but I know it has the 3.1 in it, so I figured you guys could prolly help us out here:)

I've not had a chance to look at the car yet, so I will try my best to describe it as my grandfather has to me.

For some reason, the car acts like it has a rev limiter while in drive. I know that there is a limiter while the car is in park and you floor it, and this car does that perfectly fine, right about 4k rpms. Now for what its not supposed to do, this car is doing the exact same thing in drive. My stepfather drove it a bit ago, and said that when he floors it going down the road, that it gets to that same point (3800-4200 rpms), and act like the rev limiter is still there. I think its something to do with the computer, but Im not sure. It doesnt sound like an IAC or TPS issue to me, doesnt even sound like the TCC solenoid. Could it be something screwy in the trans? I do have acess to the car if any one needs more info in order to help me with this, and any help is appreciated.

[Bjornboy81]

codes?

[red98grandamse]

damn forgot to see, but I dont think the light is on at the moment.


Edit, there are codes as the light is on, but Ive no way to read them myself, and the car was pulled from the road and is uninsured.. so no trips to autozone.


I was told by the owner that the SES light has been on "for a long time" wtf ever that means, lol.

Best I can do is see if my buddy can bring his code scanner by to see whats up.


One other thing I forgot to mention, is that my stepsister was on a trip from Jacksonville up to NY, and she stopped to get gas. When she went to stop at the pump, the RPMs shot up to 3k and the car was rolling at 30 on its own.... to me this is acting JUST LIKE the tps messing up, but the other issue definately does not.

[red98grandamse]

on a positive note, she just went out and bought an 02 GA se1:D So I gave her the forums web addy, so she will prolly be around atleast a little on here.:)

[Tebore]

Test the battery too.

The Tranny uses a lot of power. To hold the the gears. Tho you don't notice slipage. Usually if the tranny isn't getting enough power gears 1&3 slip and it can't quite hold 4th. However you mentioned RPMs go up but the car isn't moving making me think 1st gear isn't engaging very well.