2002 Impala Cat Converter Problems

[serski]

I just wanted to post this because the information that I found on this site really helped me pinpoint my problem! My thanks go out to everyone posting! I have a 2002 Impala, 3.4 engine, had been experiencing loss of power slowly building up to a huge loss of power over the past 6 months. It got to the point where I couldn't go over 60-65 mph on the xpressway. After reading a few threads here I was convinced the Cat Converter was plugged. I took it to the local "Brand Name" muffler shop and had them check it. Well, they did the old one guy on the gas, and one guy on the tailpipe trick and told me that it wasn't plugged. I was still convinced this was the problem, so I took it to the dealership, they did in fact find it to be the problem. I'm not sure how they diagnosed it, but it just goes to show you not to trust the muffler shop on this particular problem. From what I have read, the 2001 to 2002 "impalas" and "monte carlos" have this problem. In fact, they uped the warranty on the cat converter to 10 years or 120,000 miles. They consider this a "Special Policy", and the special policy number is 05551. You can reach customer service at 800-630-2438. Just give them this policy number and your vin# to find out if you're covered. I did my homework on this one and got out with only a couple trips to have the car serviced, and a free warranty replacement on the Cat. Again, thanks to this helpful site. Hope someone can find this useful!
FYI~I'm at 93,000 miles....

Next things that I need to take care of are:
-Thermostat - with a full cooling system flush from the sludge.
-Vent solenoid in the gas tank.
-Headlight High beam switch.
-CV joints in the front end are starting to get bad.
-Possibly the intake Manifold gasket in the future from what I've read here, no problems yet though...

Items that I've already dealt with:
-Blower Resister

[Gems]

Good for you on your CAT replacement! Mine went at about 50K miles, you might have read my postings on that saga here... Glad this site was able to help you... It's helped me also... Also check out www.naioa.com for more good support for your Impala...

[micali]

If you went back to the OEM expect it to happen agian, unless Chevy has changed the design recently. I had an after market HI PO CAT put on it, the car never ran better. Chevy paid for it!

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by serski

I just wanted to post this because the information that I found on this site really helped me pinpoint my problem! My thanks go out to everyone posting! I have a 2002 Impala, 3.4 engine, had been experiencing loss of power slowly building up to a huge loss of power over the past 6 months. It got to the point where I couldn't go over 60-65 mph on the xpressway. After reading a few threads here I was convinced the Cat Converter was plugged. I took it to the local "Brand Name" muffler shop and had them check it. Well, they did the old one guy on the gas, and one guy on the tailpipe trick and told me that it wasn't plugged. I was still convinced this was the problem, so I took it to the dealership, they did in fact find it to be the problem. I'm not sure how they diagnosed it, but it just goes to show you not to trust the muffler shop on this particular problem. From what I have read, the 2001 to 2002 "impalas" and "monte carlos" have this problem. In fact, they uped the warranty on the cat converter to 10 years or 120,000 miles. They consider this a "Special Policy", and the special policy number is 05551. You can reach customer service at 800-630-2438. Just give them this policy number and your vin# to find out if you're covered. I did my homework on this one and got out with only a couple trips to have the car serviced, and a free warranty replacement on the Cat. Again, thanks to this helpful site. Hope someone can find this useful!
FYI~I'm at 93,000 miles....

Next things that I need to take care of are:
-Thermostat - with a full cooling system flush from the sludge.
-Vent solenoid in the gas tank.
-Headlight High beam switch.
-CV joints in the front end are starting to get bad.
-Possibly the intake Manifold gasket in the future from what I've read here, no problems yet though...

Items that I've already dealt with:
-Blower Resister

Sounds like you need a better muffler shop.
But Glad you got it in and fixed .

You should have got one of there letters from GM.

Dear General Motors Customer:

As the owner of a 2001-02 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo; Pontiac Grand Prix; or Buick Regal model vehicle, equipped with a 3.4L or 3.8L V6 engine, your satisfaction with our product is very important to us.

This letter is intended to make you aware that some 2001-02 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo; Pontiac Grand Prix; and Buick Regal model vehicles, equipped with a 3.4L or 3.8L V6 engine, may have a condition where the catalytic converter is replaced due to complaints of lack of power or illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL). This may be due to the front endcone insulation from the catalytic converter breaking away and blocking the front of the first catalyst brick and preventing the free flow of exhaust gas through the converter.

This is not a recall. Do not take your vehicle to your GM dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition as described above.

What We Have Done
General Motors is providing owners with additional protection for the Catalytic Converter. If this condition occurs on your 2001-02 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo; Pontiac Grand Prix; or Buick Regal model vehicle, equipped with a 3.4L or 3.8L V6 engine, within 10 years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 120,000 miles (190,000 km), whichever occurs first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge .

What You Should Do
Repairs and adjustments qualifying under this special coverage must be performed by a General Motors dealer. You may want to call the service department at your dealer to find out how long they will need to have your vehicle so that you may schedule the appointment at a time that is convenient for you. This will also allow your dealer to order parts if they are not already in stock. Keep this letter with your other important glove box literature for future reference.
__________________

[kc_pig]

THANK YOU SERSKI!! You just saved me $700. The dealership didn't even know about this and thank God my dad found the subject in a forum then I found your post! If your car is experiencing loss of power and you take it to the dealership and they say it's the catalytic converter, first thing, see above if it qualifies. I bought my car at 42,000 miles from the original owner and he had the letter sent to him which I'm sure he discarded. The special policy number is 05551. You can reach customer service at 800-630-2438. CALL THIS NUMBER AND GIVE THEM THE CODE. They'll ask for your VIN like Serski said. It took them a min...... (40 to be exact....) to find that my car IS covered. The dealership wanted to charge me the full amount so don't let them screw you! CYA and call the number if you're the second or third owner because you wouldn't have received the original letter. Thanks again for bringing this issue to light everyone.

[serski]

I'm glad the post helped!

This site is awsome for troubleshooting!