I recently began to have problems with my 2001 MC SS. When I was driving down the highway, it lost power around 70 mph. Then the service traction system came on in the message log, and the check engine light came on. I drove home on side streets, and the car would sputter from 3k-3.5k rpm, kind of like it was missing badly, and would stall at a complete stop. I first thought that it was the catalytic converter and maybe the TPS, but reading into this, I found that many monte owners experience this same problem, with many different symptoms.

I haven't drove it since the problem arose, thinking it could possibly damage the car. I am setting up a diagnosis appointment at my local chevy dealer. I'm just wondering if anyone has any insight on this, which would help me narrow down the problem.

On a side note, I had the BCM replaced at the same dealer two-three months ago, would that be related to this at all?

Thanks
Dave

 

Well my my 05 ar 3k-3.5RPM it would sputter too. car never did stall.. I would say check coil packs first..

 

Anyone whos gonna read this is thinking thats my solution to everything but try unplugging the MAF sensor and start her up. See if it gives you the same problems. If so your maf is no good. Just giving you this advice cuz its the same symptoms I had.

 

You didn't say the mileage, but that really isn't an issue. But it COULD be. Before you do ANYTHING, go out and have some else start it up and rev it while you put your hand over the tailpipe. Now do it in a similar car. Was the pressure the same? If not, probably your cat' is bad. See below. it's under warranty if it's less than120K on the clock:

L36 Catalytic Converter Warranty
Special Policy Adjustment - Catalytic Converter # 05551 - (Sep 14, 2005)

Models:
2001-02 CHEVROLET IMPALA, MONTE CARLO
2001-02 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
2001-02 BUICK REGAL

EQUIPPED WITH 3.4L (RPO LA1 - VIN E) OR 3.8L (RPO L36 - VIN K) V6 ENGINE

Condition

Some customers of 2001-02Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo; Pontiac Grand Prix; and Buick Regal model vehicles, equipped with a 3.4L (RPO LA1 - VIN E) or 3.8L (RPO L36 - VIN K) V6 engine, may experience a condition where the vehicle exhaust catalytic converter is replaced due to complaints of lack of power or illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL). This may be due to the front endcone insulation from the catalytic converter breaking away and blocking the front of the first catalyst brick and preventing the free flow of exhaust gas through the converter.

Special Policy Adjustment

This special policy covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 120,000 miles (190,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.

For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after September 15, 2005 are covered by this special policy and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to September 15, 2005 must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.

Vehicles Involved

2001 Chevrolet Impala 19100001 - 19378250
2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 19100001 - 19378233
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix 1F100004 - 1F275188
2001 Buick Regal 11100004 - 11338085
2002 Chevrolet Impala 29100001 - 29374833
2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 29100016 - 29374832
2002 Pontiac Grand Prix 2F100019 - 2F276927
2002 Buick Regal 21100001 - 21288762

Involved are all 2001-02 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo; Pontiac Grand Prix; Buick Regal model vehicles, equipped with a 3.4L (RPO LA1 - VIN E) or 3.8L (RPO L36 - VIN K) V6 engine and built with the VIN breakpoints shown.

Parts Information

10343187 Converter, Catalytic (L36 engine)
10343185 Converter, Catalytic (LA1 engine)
10328740 Gasket, Catalytic Converter (Converter to I-Pipe, both)
15286606 Gasket, Exh Manif Pipe (L36)
24505057 Gasket, Exh Manif Pip (LA1)

Parts required to complete this special policy are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO).

Customer Notification

General Motors will notify customers of this special policy on their vehicles (see copy of typical customer letter included with this bulletin - actual divisional letter may vary slightly).
________________________________

Now, if that's not the issue, and it's not throwing CEL codes (which you said none), it would NOT be the coil packs, or you would be getting misfire codes, such as a P0301.
Could be the MAF, could be a clogged fuel filter. Where do you get your gas? The cheapest place possible, or quality top tier gas?

If you ONLY have a rough idle, 99.9% of the time it's dirty fuel injectors, and you need to run a can of Seafoam through the system, and drive it HARD! But you have high rpm issues also, which is where a dirty fuel filter comes in. It can flow enough to idle, but no high rpm's

So what's my GUESS? #1 catalytic convertor. #2. dirty fuel filter/dirty injectors, dirty gas/water in the gas/junk gas. #3 MAF sensor dirty or a bad connection.

 

The Car has 111xxx miles on it, I usually get my gas at holiday or BP.

 

do the cat' pressure test.

 

Thanks for all the advice

 

My '02 SS stalled one morning. Restarted and then stalled at the next stop sign. Later it started sputtering and gave me a P0301 cylinder 1 missfire. After searching multiple forums I did many of they things posted in this thread and others. What I found was the terminals that plug into the coil pack were corroded. Once cleaned and some dielectric grease and I was back to a smooth start and no hesitation. Hope this helps.

My car has 175K and I live close to the ocean so corrosion happens in strange places.

 

Rocknss04, thank you for that information!
Now I've had my 01 since Sept 01 it was a left over demo with 3,800 miles on it when she had 14,000 moles on the catalytic went,it was replaced under warranty. It went again at 32,000 and just again at 60,000( which I paid only partial on with my 2nd extended). I just hit 86,000 and for all the experience I think it might be going yet again. Is there a number to call or should I mention this info to the dealer? Also do you or anyone else know why it keeps going? The dealer just tries to hand me b.s " maybe you just got a bad one", yeah 4xs