Let me start off by saying this issue has been happening periodically over the last three years or so. My car seems to have some sort of rev limiter kick in randomly. Sometimes the issue happens around 2,200 RPM, so I am still able to inch up to high way speeds, but other times it happens as low as 1,300-1,500 RPM (which makes it impossible to even go 25 mph). I can slowly accelerate to the RPM wall, however, if I accelerate really hard it chugs right away. I have gone months without it happening, or had it happen multiple times in a week. If I leave my car alone for 30 minutes after having this issue, it usually will work fine. I have hooked it up to a computer when the issue is not happening, and when it was happening, with no trouble codes at all.

While diagnosing another issue, I have replaced the TPS, MAF, and the plugs and wires. I am not positive, but it SEEMS like this issue happens more often when it is very humid (after a storm, dense fog, etc). I recently moved to Florida from Wisconsin, and the issue definitely is happening more. I have only seen this weird issue in a forum once, and the guy apparently fixed it with a new TPS sensor (which I replaced already). I am so stumped, and would appreciate any insight on this aggravating problem.

 

I wanted to add that the EGR valve is new as well.

 

So maybe it is a humidity issue, I was in Florida for about 6 weeks this last year and the humidity was really heavy and maybe the moisture has gotten into the electrical system of the ignition, they make a moisture repellant that you could spray on the components. I think it is a clear product as well. Maybe if you dry things out with a blow dryer and then give a bit of anti- moisture spray that may be of some help?

 

You could have a clogged catalytic converter, or an issue with the transmission. Check your transmission fluid, and if the cat has never been replaced on that car then it's well overdue...

 

So the issue happened again last night. I tried pulling out all the switches I know about and blowing inside, hoping maybe I just have moisture interrupting the signal. I also tried banging on the catalytic convertor to see if I could free up a possible build up. The issue did not go away.

My issue happened again today during the first start up. I was able to get from A to B, because I was only hitting a ~2,500 RPM wall. After sitting for about two hours, the car ran fine. I thought it could be the catalytic convertor as well, but how would that be an on and off problem over 3+ years? When I am experiencing this problem, it does it in any gear. I thought it could be a fuel related issue, but I wouldn't think it could be off and on for such a long period of time. Which makes me think it is something electrical?

I seriously have no idea what to even try. I just moved to Florida, and it seems to have gotten much worse. I start a new job on Monday and am afraid its going to prevent me from being able to commute until I can save for a new car. If anyone has any other suggestions, or ways I can test my catalytic convertor I'd greatly appreciate it!

 

Try checking the fuel pressure at the fuel rail.
Possibly the fuel pumps failing. Whens the last time you changed the fuel filter?

When you changed the MAF.. is it an AC Delco?
Unplug the Maf and drive it... around the block..if the problem goes away..you need a new ACDelco MAF.

Try driving it at night... after warm up and or driven for 10 or 15 miles..
Look under the car and see if the cat is "Glowing" if it is..your cats clogged.

 

The MAF was replaced with an AC Delco, but my problem happened a few years before that was replaced. The car has about 126k on it, and I've had it since 90k. I have not replaced the fuel filter, but I figured if it was plugged it would be a persistent issue. It's really hard to troubleshoot this issue, because it seems to happen randomly. I drove it a bit earlier and it was completely fine. Do you think a bad fuel filter would make this happen randomly for over three years? Besides oil changes, brake work, and the list I mentioned in my first post, I haven't done anything to the car.

 

Anythings possible..
but after all those miles..i would definately change the fuel filter

 

My initial 2 thoughts.

A clogged catalytic converter, or a trans issue with 4th gear / torque converter.

You can try driving around in 3 on the gear selector to take away the torque converter locking up while driving and see if it's related to that.