Losing power during acceleration

izzone2000 · Apr 24, 2016

A little background: this has happened to me twice in the past week. Driving on the highway, I will press the accelerator to the floor in order to pass someone. All of a sudden, the engine will lose power, and I start to slow down, but then quickly regains some power, loses power, gains power, etc.

After this happens, the check engine light comes on, as well as a message telling me to service traction control and stabilitrack. The car seems to run fine as long as I don't depress the gas pedal to the floor. When I turn the car off, the engine light goes away, as well as the traction control and stabilitrack warnings, and don't reappear until the problem happens again.

Any ideas before I bring it to the dealer?

Robby · Apr 24, 2016

There are several things that could be the cause but I wont hazard a guess without a code.

Rob

ChevyGuy · Apr 25, 2016

Yeah, I think we'd need a code to make a decent guess. Some parts places will read it for free. While the light may be off, it should be in the history as long has it hasn't been too many on/off engine cycles since the last occurrence.

When you take it to the dealer, make sure you get the light to come on at least the day before if not the day of the visit. That way it should still be in the history.

izzone2000 · Apr 25, 2016

Thanks guys. I've been trying to reproduce the problem the past couple days with no luck. If it happens again I'll run over to my autozone and have them scan for the code.

Michael.endress123 · Oct 27, 2020

Is there any update to this post? I am having the same issue but mine isn’t throwing and codes or a check engine light and can’t for the life of me figure out where to even start...

Jazzyjasmine11 · Jul 25, 2021

Michael.endress123 said:
Is there any update to this post? I am having the same issue but mine isn’t throwing and codes or a check engine light and can’t for the life of me figure out where to even start...

Did you figure it out?? Because me too

Shep513 · Jul 23, 2022

Having this issue now at 80k miles. Had a P0304 misfire code. Figured well overdue for plug change, so changed plugs and coils. Still having the same issue. Stabilitrack and traction control service message flashing on dash. Thinking fuel injectors may be clogged.

NRG Trades · Jul 23, 2022

Shep513 said:
Having this issue now at 80k miles. Had a P0304 misfire code. Figured well overdue for plug change, so changed plugs and coils. Still having the same issue. Stabilitrack and traction control service message flashing on dash. Thinking fuel injectors may be clogged.

Have you checked the coil pack as well?

Shep513 · Jul 24, 2022

Yes. Changed the coil pack when I did the plugs. Took it to Valvoline today and had an oil change, transmission flush, and engine flush done. Took it back out on the highway and seems to run great now. No stabilitrak or traction control service warnings popped up when "punching it" to get around traffic like before. Pretty sure the injectors and throttle body were probably gummed up a bit. Added some fuel additive to the tank and topped off with premium just for now. Been using 87 normally, and that's probably a part of the problem. I get this feeling gas companies are cutting their supply with more ethanol to "stretch" their supply these days, but that's just my suspicion. Any how I'll report back if there are further issues.

annstewart1972 · Sep 27, 2024

izzone2000 said:
A little background: this has happened to me twice in the past week. Driving on the highway, I will press the accelerator to the floor in order to pass someone. All of a sudden, the engine will lose power, and I start to slow down, but then quickly regains some power, loses power, gains power, etc.

After this happens, the check engine light comes on, as well as a message telling me to service traction control and stabilitrack. The car seems to run fine as long as I don't depress the gas pedal to the floor. When I turn the car off, the engine light goes away, as well as the traction control and stabilitrack warnings, and don't reappear until the problem happens again.

Any ideas before I bring it to the dealer?

I know this is an older post but maybe someone who is currently having this problem will see this post. My 2015 Chevy Cruze LTZ was losing power while running and having difficulty starting. I changed the mass air flow sensor and that fixed it. Took me 5 minutes to change it out.

Losing power during acceleration

izzone2000

Robby

ChevyGuy

izzone2000

Michael.endress123

Jazzyjasmine11

Shep513

NRG Trades

Shep513

annstewart1972

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