Oops! Thanks Bill for the additional info.
jeff

 

Thanks guys for all the help.
I pulled some codes from the car-PCM 0172 and 0175 are current codes.The are many other history codes, but I am not sure that they are part of the problem.
I know that I hit the rev limiter last night for just a second, but that should not have fouled out the plugs, I don't think. If the plugs were fouled, wouldn't it just miss instead of not reving at all.
I started it again this morning and it did idle rough and had the same problem. You could hold the pedal to the floor and it would rev to about 2k rpm. It is almost like after the pedal is pushed the first inch or so there is no response at all from the car.
I did call the dealer (3.5 hrs away) and they said that they would work through our local dealer to get the problem fixed. I know that it will eventually fixed, but it is just kind of frustrating at the moment.
Thanks again,
James

 

You either have a bad Mass Air Flow sensor or a bad fuel pump, contaminated fuel or the O2 sensor circuit is not functioning at all. There is a schrader valve on the drivers side fuel rail. Turn the key to the on position (engine not running) and listen for the fuel pump to run. When it stops, remove the cap from the scrader valve and with a rag ready to catch the fuel. press the little needle valve and see if you ahve fuel pressure. BE CAREFUL!! Fuel will squirt out under 40 PSI pressure. Catch it with the rag.

If you have good fuel pressure, you can UN-PLUG the MAF sensor and start the car without it connected electrically. When it is disconnected, the engine will still run If it is bad the enging will run a LOT better! There is a small plastic clip that keeps the connector securely connected to the MAF that needs to be removed from the MAF connector before it can be un-plugged. It takes a bit of paitence to get it out but it will come out.

If all of those things are checked good, you may have a blown fuse.

Errase ALL of the codes and start the car. One of the other codes may tel me what fuse is blown!

Bill Curlee

 

0172 = Fuel Trim System Rich Bank 1
0175 = Fuel Trim System Rich Bank 2

 

Probably, but I was thinking more of cracked plugs or loose plug wires. At low rpm, the spark would probably be strong enough to jump any gaps, and keep things running (remember, these engines have individual coil packs for each cylinder). At higher RPMs, a weak spark would tend to get "blown out."

I may be barking up the wrong tree, but it is something fairly easy to check. The codes you noted are unrelated to my suggestion, but it's difficult to tell if the current codes are the root problem or the result of something else.

FWIW:
P0172 Fuel Trim System Rich Bank 1
P0175 Fuel Trim System Rich Bank 2

More info here:
http://www.stengel.net/diccodes.htm
http://www.totallychevys.com/chevy/c...te-p-1694.html

 

I may have found the problem thanks to you guys. I just went out and unhooked the mass-air and restarted the car. It seemed to idle fine and it reved fine also. I did not drive it , but I think that it may be the problem.
Is there a code for a mass-air failure? Shouldn't it have came up? Should I look for anything else?
Thanks again everyone,
James

 

Your engine wiring harness runs up from the back of the engine, along the drivers side fuel rail and out to the MASS AIR METER. Look at the rear mounting bracket for the fuel rail where the harness curves around the bracket. The bracket is SHARP and if the engine wiring harness is pulled across the bracket, it will short out the harness. Your MAF wires are in that harness. Check the harness for any damage. This is a common problem on some C5.

Also check the plug and MAF pins for corrosion/damage. It is possible for the maf to go bad.

Yes, you can drive it with it unpluged and yes it should set a code. The original code that you had indicated that the MAF could be the issue.

If you have any more questions, please let me know.

Bill Curlee

 

A freind of mine would get the same thing, Reduced Power settings. Turns out there was some oil on the mass air flow sensor. Once he cleanned it off the car was fine until the next time the MAF got a little oil on

 

I had a simular problem with a different GM car, it was a clogged cat. After driving it for a little while pop the hood, if the manifolds are glowing red, the cats are clogged.

 

I had that on my "97 when it was new. Took the dealer forever to discover it was a bad computer chip. The codes never showed up, so they installed a device that when it happened again I pushed a button and it recorded what was going on in the engine.

 

I was going to mention this, also. Our old Jeep had a clogged cat and ran EXACTLY as you're describing.

 

Call me. I have a possible solution.

dcamick
1-412-956-1310