Lack of Power, Sluggishness, or Sponginess. Chevrolet Aveo 2005

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2005 🢒 Aveo 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 1.6L (L91) 🢒 Lack of Power, Sluggishness, or Sponginess

Lack of Power, Sluggish or Spongy

Checks

Action

DEFINITION: The engine delivers less than expected power. Little or no increase in speed when the accelerator pedal is pushed down part way.

Preliminary Inspections

•	Refer to Important Preliminary Inspections Before Starting in Symptoms - Engine Controls .

•	Search for bulletins.

•	Verify that the engine control module (ECM) grounds are clean, tight, and in the correct locations.

•	Remove the air filter element and inspect for restrictions. Refer to Air Cleaner Element Replacement and replace if necessary.

Fuel System

•	Test for incorrect fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .

•	Test for a contaminated fuel condition. Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .

•	Test the fuel injectors. Refer to Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test .

•	Test or inspect items that can cause an engine to run rich. For a rich condition, refer to DTC P0172 .

•	Test or inspect items that can cause an engine to run lean. For a lean condition, refer to DTC P0171 .

Sensor/System

•	Test for the correct operation of the intake manifold tuning valve (IMTV) system. Refer to Intake Manifold Tuning Valve Diagnosis .

•	Use a scan tool in order to monitor the knock sensor (KS) system for excessive spark retard activity. Refer to Knock Sensor (KS) System Description and DTC P0327 .

Ignition System

•	Wet down the secondary ignition system with water from a spray bottle. Wetting the secondary ignition system may help locate damaged or deteriorated components. Look/listen for arcing or misfiring as water is applied.

•	Test the ignition voltage output with the J 26792 Spark Tester. Refer to Electronic Ignition (EI) System Diagnosis .

•	Remove the spark plugs and inspect for the following conditions:

-	Incorrect heat range

Wet plugs

Cracks

-	Excessive wear

-	Improper gap

-	Burned electrodes

-	Heavy deposits

-	Refer to the following procedures:

•	Spark Plug Inspection

•	Spark Plug Replacement

•	Ignition System Specifications

•	An incorrect spark plug gap will cause a driveability concern. Refer to Ignition System Specifications .

•	If the spark plugs are fouled by gas, coolant, or oil, determine the cause before replacing the plugs. Refer to the following procedures:

-	For diagnosis of a rich condition, refer to DTC P0172 .

-	For diagnosis of coolant or oil fouled spark plugs, refer to Loss of Coolant in Engine Cooling or Symptoms - Engine Mechanical in Engine Mechanical - 1.6L (L91).

•	Test the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor for the correct resistance. The CKP sensor resistance may be out of range after a hot soak. The resistance should be between 460-620 ohms.

•	Inspect the ignition coil for cracks or carbon tracking.

Engine Mechanical

•	Inspect for excessive oil in the combustion chamber and for leaking valve seals.

•	Test for low cylinder compression. Refer to Engine Compression Test in Engine Mechanical - 1.6L (L91).

•	Inspect the combustion chambers for excessive carbon buildup. Clean the chambers with top engine cleaner. Follow the instructions on the can.

•	Inspect the following for incorrect basic engine parts:

-	The camshaft

-	The cylinder heads

-	The pistons, connecting rods, and bearings

-	Refer to the following procedures in Engine Mechanical - 1.6L (L91):

•	Cylinder Head Replacement

•	Camshaft Replacement

•	Piston, Connecting Rod, and Bearing Cleaning and Inspection

Additional Inspections

•	Inspect the following exhaust system components:

-	The exhaust system for physical damage.

-	The mufflers for heat distress or possible internal failure.

-	The three-way catalytic converter(s) for restrictions.

-	For more information, refer to Symptoms - Engine Exhaust in Engine Exhaust.

•	Test the transmission torque converter clutch (TCC). Refer to Symptoms - Automatic Transmission in Automatic Transmission - Aisin (81-40LE).