Car runs weak, low power

Tiny
HESHAM ALKHATIB
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
I cleaned the throttle body and it runs very strong then next day same as before weak.
i checked the computer codes saying all complete and pass.
Monday, December 7th, 2020 AT 2:53 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
There are a number of things that can cause low power. However, I just want to make sure you cleaned the throttle body after this started to try and address it? Sometimes that causes this issue so we just need to make sure that was the correct progression.

Next here are some guides that take us through this issue. We need to start with this and make sure none of these issues are causing this.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-low-engine-power

Then we can move onto the next thing which is a possible throttle position sensor. However, there are normally codes with this so when this happens is there a light that comes on or does it just feel like it is low on power? If there is no light then a throttle position sensor would not make sense and it would be more like a mass air flow sensor.

Here are some guides that talk about this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-mass-air-flow-sensor-works-maf

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/mass-air-flow-service

Let me know about this and we can go from there. Thanks
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Monday, December 7th, 2020 AT 8:53 AM
Tiny
HESHAM ALKHATIB
  • MEMBER
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Hi,

This is my car history: first I start to hear the morning start up is little noisy then I noticed that I have valve gasket leak and when I scanned the car computer I had these codes u1017 -c0327 - u1301. After I felt that I decide to clean the throttle body after that I my car was so strong when I fix the throttle in the car and I have engine light and code p0507. Says idle control system ram higher than expected. So I waited to the next day then I rest the car sitting then the car back to be weak again. I wish I can send you all the computer scan to see if there is anything wrong, but the site here is not accepted many photos so I don't know how.
Note : I disconnected the transfer case long time ago as the mechanic man told me because I don't use the 4wd.
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Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 AT 8:47 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Okay. I suspect what happened is after you cleaned the throttle body, the P0507 set with the raised RPM's which is why it felt better. Then after it learned the new throttle position after it was cleaned it returned to the low power.

I suspect you have a vacuum leak. Take a look at this leak and let's check for a leak and go from there.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge
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+1
Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 AT 6:34 PM
Tiny
HESHAM ALKHATIB
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Dear Sir, wish you a wonderful day.
This is all the computer scan.
Would you please tell me if every thing is okay or not? And also if the valve gasket leak something dangerous. Also I found a leak in the engine oil pressure switch. Do I have to change it? If I will do I have to disconnect the battery before or not?
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Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 AT 11:37 PM
Tiny
HESHAM ALKHATIB
  • MEMBER
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And what about the rough engine sound?
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Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 AT 11:46 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Yeah. I am pretty sure this is a vacuum leak. This is the same guide that I posted earlier. Take a look at it and get some parts cleaner and spray it around the engine while it is running. When the RPM jumps up then that is where the leak is.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

As for the oil leak and pressure sensor. You will need to replace it if it is leaking. However, we need to get a new post started for that as it is not related to this one and we need to keep each post to the one topic so that others can find the solutions if they have the same issue.

Let me know what questions you have about this vacuum leak and we can dig deeper. Also, here is a video that shows the same type of info and it may be a little easier to follow:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN5pcM-5bso

The only difference is, you don't have the high pitched noise. You will just hear the RPM go up when it pulls in the fluid.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 7:17 PM
Tiny
HESHAM ALKHATIB
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thank you so much for the good information sir.
I appreciated.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 AT 10:20 PM
Tiny
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You are welcome. Please let us know what happens as I am curious to see if this was the issue. Thanks
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Thursday, December 10th, 2020 AT 6:59 PM

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