I have a 97 3.1 that just started acting up over the weekend. Ran perfect until suddenly it would not go over 1,500 RPM.. drove home at 20mph. The next day it would go around 2,000 RPM and the day after that it goes to 3,000!

I'm wondering if in a week it'll be like brand new again!? This seems to be the limit though.

It gets up to that RPM then cuts out. RPM drops and raises back up repeatedly. MAF sensor is OK. No other codes.

 

Welcome to the forum man. I dont know whats happening with the RPMs only hitting 1500 and 2000, butif memory serves me right. 3k-3.5k is where the rev limiter hits when its either in Park or Drive. It keeps you from over-revving your engine.

Maybe someone one will chime in soon with the other part of your question.

Just thought of something. Do you have the original Cat? That could be cloged. Again, just a thought.

 

I would lean toward clogged cat or fuel filter. My old silverado was sluggish like that when the fuel filter in the tank was clogged but I have seen the same thing happen with a clogged cat.

 

Transmission???

 

i seconded the clogged cat...horrible loss of power and low rpms.

 

The car has 140k. I just got it but I wouldn't be surprised if it was the original cat. It was running fine right before it started doing this. Would a clogged cat gradually cause a loss of power or a sudden loss like I've experienced?

It's still peppy until it hits the 3k mark. Maybe that's just because the exhaust isn't escaping quickly enough?

I have it in the shop getting looked at rather than hanging random parts on it hoping to stumble into the fix or I'd look myself. I'll be fixing it myself though.

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

A clogged cat doesnt necessarily have to build up. The metals inside can deteriorate and a chunk of it could crumble and clog it up. It could have happened when you started it the first time it started giving you trouble.

 

Just to let everyone know it was the MAF sensor. D'oh.

 

Hmm, would never have expected it to be the MAF sensor.

 

Hmm good to know....My moms Bonneville had the MAF go bad too, but it would rev all the way to redline, it just missed a little on the way...