Like the title says my 2004 2.2 Ecotec is surging and losing power when the A/C is on. It usually happens between 1st and 2nd then again between 2nd and 3rd. If i turn the A/C off it goes away. It has been hot as hell where i live and i had been running the A/C at max and then 2 days ago i started having this surge and lose power thing.
Any ideas would be helpful. It goes to dealership tomorrow as it is under warranty but i want to be able to maybe give some suggestions to them as i hate dealership mechanics.
Thanx ahead of time.
I don't need no stinking SIG. Wait this is one.
DOH!
Ok so i have been searching more. I found the threads about the IAT sensor. Took it out looked it over and everything seemed fine. Plugged it back in and now it doesn't surge. Although before it took about 30min of driving before it started so i am gonna test more this evening.
Any other things this could be? A friend said i may have thrown a bearing in the A/C clutch and it got crushed thus why it is doing this. I do not think that is the case as the A/C still blows super cold. But any insights are welcome.
I don't need no stinking SIG. Wait this is one.
DOH!
My wifes cavalier just started doing that last month, but now it's getting worse. We just recently put 2 12" subs in so I was thinking the alt. was going out.
If you could post what the dealer done to your car so I can check mine because our car is out of warranty
I don't think it has anything to do with the bearings.
I am having same problem. Seems to be most noticeable in second gear and third gear. Please let us know what your dealer finds wrong.
Thanks.
It is definitely the IAT sensor and the pig tails running to it. I through a code yesterday P0113 after it surging for about 3 days. It is at the dealer now but that is the problem.
I don't need no stinking SIG. Wait this is one.
DOH!
Same here with my 03 Alero Ecotec 41k miles. I took it to the dealer today who says they found nothing wrong with the sensors. So they flushed the injectors. It drives much better has more power around town. I still notice some hesitation with the AC though. In my car, its more noticable at highway speeds and trying to accelerate. Hope we can find a fix.
You WILL notice a decline in power with the A/C on. The A/C uses horsepower from the engine to run the compressor.
I have an 04 2.2, just like you. It does lose power when you flip on the A/C, but then again so does every car.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
No, it's not just the usual AC drag on the engine. It shows up when I am accelerating in second and third gear. It is a momentary stutter and not the constant pull that the AC normally creates. And it doesn't happen all the time on my car. It only seems to occur after driving it for a good while in hot weather. That's my experience, anyway.
Lees04Cav wrote:No, it's not just the usual AC drag on the engine. It shows up when I am accelerating in second and third gear. It is a momentary stutter and not the constant pull that the AC normally creates. And it doesn't happen all the time on my car. It only seems to occur after driving it for a good while in hot weather. That's my experience, anyway.
yeah I agree with you. This is not a consistant "drag" on the engine like most cars. It is a surge type of feeling. I also know its not the compressor kicking in and out, because I was told by the dealer the compressor on the Ecotec does not cycle on and off. Who knows. I just hope someone can find a cure. I am wondering if it is a PCM program issue?
Ok guys, I may have come up with something........ Like I said in one of the replys, I am having the surging/chuggle and no power at times with my Eco. I had the injectors flushed which helped some, but did not cure it. The dealer said they could not find anything because there was no CEL.(just to lazy to use the Tech2) SO after reading through my service manual, I unhooked the 1st Oxygen sensor and went for a drive. The car drove 100% better with NOOOO hesitation or surging at all. And the funny thing is, the CEL still did not come on. I read that it has to go through a complete drive cycle before it will trigger it. I did connect it back when I got home, but I am very surperised at how well it drove without it. Its seems all of those issues were gone. I know when it is disconnected, it uses the stock data from the PCM. Therefore it causes the car to run on the rich side. I would assume the o2 sensor is on its way out and is giving false data to the PCM and causing the car to run lean and to cause the surging. I was wondering if any of you guys would consider giving this a try to see if it helps your car run better? If you happen to get a CEL, just unhook your battery a few mins to reset it once you reconnect your sensor. Its worth a shot.... Let me know what you find.
Thanks for your help
