2000 Malibu engine revs a lot with little power to wheels

Hi, first post to forum. I've looked at all the posts which might be related to this problem but didn't see anything :(

This has only been happening since the cold weather up here in the North. When I start the car and put it into drive, it takes a lot of revs for the car to start moving and it is struggling a lot. Eventually (after about a minute) it starts driving properly, i.e. instant power when you press the accelerator down. I had some luck pushing quickly on the accelerator then letting it go (jabbing it in, in other words) then using the accelerator as normal.

Any ideas? All advice much appreciated.

PS Am a bit of a car novice but I can probably follow clear directions :)

Hi everyone - surely someone must have an idea about this problem?

Cheers, Sam.

I live in conneticut, and mine does too, u need to let it run until u have it at least a quater up on the temp gauge, usally my car is in the mid range for temp normally, -if u are in a rush and don't have time to warm it up after u back out of ur drive way and put it in gear, press ur gas very lightly -not to propell it but to flood the engine w/ more gas than it does when u put it in drive and it drives itself automatically, this will warm it up quicker, without causing a extreme temp change-also i noticed it's better to not keep ur foot on the brake while after putting it in drive if u haven't warmed it up, but still not late to work, and there's no traffic on the road, just let the car drive it self slowy while u gentley tap the gas to move the gas faster throught the engine.

I live in conneticut, and mine does too, u need to let it run until u have it at least a quater up on the temp gauge, usally my car is in the mid range for temp normally, -if u are in a rush and don't have time to warm it up after u back out of ur drive way and put it in gear, press ur gas very lightly -not to propell it but to flood the engine w/ more gas than it does when u put it in drive and it drives itself automatically, this will warm it up quicker, without causing a extreme temp change-also i noticed it's better to not keep ur foot on the brake while after putting it in drive if u haven't warmed it up, but still not late to work, and there's no traffic on the road, just let the car drive it self slowy while u gentley tap the gas to move the gas faster throught the engine.

Thanks for the response Capricex. That advice tells me how to get by, but have you any idea what is causing the problem in the first place? This is the first winter this has happened (we bought it in Jan 03). What specific part of the car is the cold affecting to make it behave this way, and how can I fix it I wonder?

Cheers, Sam.

I could be wrong here, as i'm more of a computer geek than a car nut, but this is sounding almost like then the catalytic converter on my S10 had to be replaced... granted that truck ended up getting totalled less than a month after I got it replaced cause some chick rear ended me, but thats another story all together....

-MalibuSean :2cents:

I live in Minnesota and have had the same problem. While having work done at a transmission shop for my truck, I asked the technician about this problem. He said that his guess for the problem is that it may be caused by a malfunctioning transmission pressure regulator. He guessed about $500 to locate the problem and then parts to replace it if needed.
My problem has not gotten any worse, and only occurs until warm up on days colder than 10 degrees. One trick I have noticed is to put the transmission in park while waiting at stoplights. This seems to build pressure in the torque converter and it does not slip as much. As long as the problem does not get worse, I think I will let it go as it is.

I live in Minnesota and have had the same problem. While having work done at a transmission shop for my truck, I asked the technician about this problem. He said that his guess for the problem is that it may be caused by a malfunctioning transmission pressure regulator. He guessed about $500 to locate the problem and then parts to replace it if needed.
My problem has not gotten any worse, and only occurs until warm up on days colder than 10 degrees. One trick I have noticed is to put the transmission in park while waiting at stoplights. This seems to build pressure in the torque converter and it does not slip as much. As long as the problem does not get worse, I think I will let it go as it is.

Great thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

Sam.

i live in Seattle, while in the winter time its not as cold as Minnesota but i had my 2000 malibu taken in b/c of the problem. they just informed me that it was nothing but the alternator. they even kept my car in overnight so in the morning they would know what i was talking about. but even after having the alternator fixed - same problem just when the temp is cold - kind of sounds like a truck when starting the engine...?? clueless girl in Seattle...

Sounds like you've got the piston slap problem Nagel83- Check the other threads. As for the current problem- could be the TC or could even be the trans. pressure switch/relay may need replacing. Does the MIL come on during any of this? This would indicate a definite malfunctioning of some sensor or switch...need more info. What engine, trans, more on symptoms if possible.