Help! lags power

My dad has a 2000 impala. I was driving it on the freeway one day going about 70. All of a sudden the engine light came on then the car lost some power. He drove it for a few weeks like that. Then eventually it got to the point were the car wouldnt accelerate very well. I mean it takes foever gust to get to 30mph. I changed the spark plugs the wires ignition coils all 3 and the fuel filter. The fuel pressure is fine also. The only real noticeable problem was that the air filter was so dirtty that i only think 20% of the air was getting trough. And now it takes a minute for it to just get started. The rpm wont go past 3000. The front exhast manifold get cherry red from just a mile ride down the street and back. I took to autozone and ran the codes and they said it was only missfireing. but corrected that problem but it still lags power. And the dealer said the computers were not comunicating so they couldn pull any codes.

if anyone has any idea what the problem could be let me know.

You may have a plugged catalytic converter. But you need to find the cause of the catalyst meltdown before you simply replace it. Otherwise, you will just melt down another cat. See if exhaust is flowing freely out of the tailpipe when you rev the engine. If not, there is a restriction somewhere, most likely the cat. You will need a scan tool and be able to interface with the PCM to find the cause of the problem. First, retrieve any stored codes and run whatever tests are necessary to address those problems. You may find and solve the problem at this point. Otherwise, road test the car with the scan tool connected and running in the view data mode. Pay particular attention to data values associated with the oxygen sensors, throttle position sensor (TPS), mass airflow (MAF) sensor, and manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor (if equipped). Your oxygen sensors should range between 0 and 1 volt. This value should be varying continuously. A fault in the circuit will cause this value to stay at 0v, cause a rich running condition, and pop a code. Refer to a manual for the correct values for your other sensors. Most should read between 0 and 5 volts.

Dan

I am having the same problem with my 01 Impala. I had it scanned and said it was the Exhaust Gas Recirculator. I am trying to figure this out but any help will be great.

as a matter of fact I was going 70 on the highway and went to pass and it wouldn't go any faster and the engine light came on. Did you ever get this fixed?

Did any body fix this yet. I am :banghead: I had the cat checked and I was told its fine.

I am having the same problem with my 01 Impala. I had it scanned and said it was the Exhaust Gas Recirculator. I am trying to figure this out but any help will be great.
Did you change the EGR Valve and did it fix the problem?

I went to the dealer and told them to put a cat on it. They did and it fixed my problems (no thanks to midas). They didn't even charge an inspection fee cause i just told them to do it. The best i can figure on the EGR code is that when the cat stops up there is so much pressure it actually pushes the valve open. you also might like to know that if you have less than 80K mi. the dealer will replace it for free because its an emissions component. Hope this helps

My dad has a 2000 impala. I was driving it on the freeway one day going about 70. All of a sudden the engine light came on then the car lost some power. He drove it for a few weeks like that. Then eventually it got to the point were the car wouldnt accelerate very well. I mean it takes foever gust to get to 30mph. I changed the spark plugs the wires ignition coils all 3 and the fuel filter. The fuel pressure is fine also. The only real noticeable problem was that the air filter was so dirtty that i only think 20% of the air was getting trough. And now it takes a minute for it to just get started. The rpm wont go past 3000. The front exhast manifold get cherry red from just a mile ride down the street and back. I took to autozone and ran the codes and they said it was only missfireing. but corrected that problem but it still lags power. And the dealer said the computers were not comunicating so they couldn pull any codes.

if anyone has any idea what the problem could be let me know.

I had the EXACT symtoms you have. Took it to the dealer and they replace catalyitic converter and fuel filter. They also perfomed a fuel injection cleaner maintenance.

Just wanted to chime in on our 02 Impala, just had to have the convertor replaced, same symtoms, and it also fouled a plug which they replaced as well, I should note that I feel the check engine light came on when the plug was fouled, because it didnt stay on. Hope this helps.

Just wanted to chime in on our 02 Impala, just had to have the convertor replaced, same symtoms, and it also fouled a plug which they replaced as well, I should note that I feel the check engine light came on when the plug was fouled, because it didnt stay on. Hope this helps.

did this solve all your problems, I changed the cat only (Walker part # 54250 @ $265 CDN) problem almost cleared, also must change fuel filter and check all plugs...

Yes this solved all of my power problems, I know there were a couple of gaskets on the sheet after it was fixed, but thats all I can remember.