Questions and Answers

Chevy Malibu Has A Lack Of Power Q. I have a 1998 Chevy Malibu, 2.4 liter DOHC 4 cylinder, automatic transmission, 105,000 miles, fuel injected, ABS brakes, with P/S A/C, no cruise, and rack and pinion steering. The problem that I am having with my car is that there is a lack of power until you top 3,000 RPM's and occasionally right before the car shifts out of third.

While the RPM's are around 3,000 the car will hesitate and sputter and nearly die Then it shifts and it is fine. I thought that maybe it was because of the spark plugs being old. But I changed the plugs with the recommended plugs for the car.

I then decided that I would change the fuel filter and that too did not fix the problem. As I do things to the car that I think might fix it, it gets a little better but never actually fixes it. I just bought new plug wires or boots, and I am changing them soon to see if that helps.

In addition, since it mainly sputters right before shifting I thought I would have the transmission looked at. I had the fluid changed and the mechanic said that everything look good and there were no shavings or anything like that to worry about, so I think that should be fine, and it shifts normally so I don't think that is the problem.

This problem wouldn't be to tough if the car was showing a code but it is not. The Check Engine Light never comes on. I just don't know. It ran fine a month ago and now it is just not the same, not as powerful until the higher RPM's please help.

Do you think this is an ignition problem, transmission problem, or a fuel problem? Like I said, I have changed the plugs, trans fluid, and fuel filter and I am changing the plug wires soon. Please let me know what to do about this problem.

Thank you! Travis

A. There are no wires per se on this engine, only boots. While you're in there, replace the ignition housing. That's the plastic box that the coils are mounted in. It's like a distributor cap and can develop carbon tracks in it.