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Car losing power after waiting in traffic

Tiny
LIBBY300
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 VAUXHALL CORSA
  • 1.4L
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 71,000 MILES
Car losing power after waiting in slow traffic.
Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 12:49 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,328 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

Does it only happen in traffic? Is the engine getting too hot?

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 7:10 PM
Tiny
LIBBY300
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
No the power fluctuates, loses power on and off. When accelerating when traffic lights turn green my foot is flat down on the pedal struggles to reach 20 mph. Then power comes back. It's very scary. I've tried redex hasn't made much difference. I've had diagnostic tests came back clear.
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Monday, September 2nd, 2019 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,328 POSTS
Welcome back:

Is there any rattling sounds from under the vehicle. I'm questioning if the catalytic converter is loose internally and causing a blockage at times. That would cause a big loss of power. Take a look through these links.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bad-catalytic-converter-symptoms

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

If you do notice a rattling at times under the vehicle, do this. Take a rubber mallet and tap on the system to see if you can recreate the sound.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Monday, September 2nd, 2019 AT 5:57 PM
Tiny
LIBBY300
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
There is no rattling noise, but car lightly vibrates. Heavy noise when pushing to accelerate to reach 20 mph accelerator pedal flat down. Revs go really high, then power comes back to normal then may lose power again.
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Monday, September 2nd, 2019 AT 6:09 PM
Tiny
LIBBY300
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
Also, this all started to happen after I had a free 15 point check at Halfords autocentre. They found repairs which needed doing right rear wheel bearing replacement. And coil spring replacement and front wheel alignment. I had all of this work done. Since then after a few days the engine started to lose power.
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Monday, September 2nd, 2019 AT 6:14 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,328 POSTS
When the revs go high, does it seem as though the transmission is slipping?

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, September 2nd, 2019 AT 8:33 PM
Tiny
LIBBY300
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
Yes, it's like it won't change gear from stopping. It goes to first gear then loses power then think jumps to third gear as power comes back fast.
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Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019 AT 5:25 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,328 POSTS
Welcome back:

Based on what you are saying, it sounds like a transmission issue. Is the check engine light staying on when the engine is running?

Also, have you checked the transmission fluid to confirm it is clean and full? I have to be honest, I'm in the US and this vehicle isn't offered here, so my technical information is very limited. But if the engine is revving and the vehicle doesn't accelerate, it sounds like either the transmission is slipping or has a delayed shift.

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019 AT 8:15 PM

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