2000 Chevrolet Prizm Logo
Posted on Jan 06, 2009
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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2001 Chevy Prizm: Sluggish acceleration, recently replaced Cat.

Hello,

I have a 2001 Chevy Prizm. Initially, the check engine light came on. I was told it was the cat. The car began to run sluggish and the R.P.M.s were eradic when I pressed the gas pedal in neutral. When I drive, the car wll become sluggish and not able to climb hills. I use premium and Lucas but this has not seemed to help. Everything I read seems to be directed towards the mass air flow sensor. Could this be the problem?
I look forward to your response!
Thanks,
Tom

  • 1 more comment 
  • tomkelso69 Jan 06, 2009

    Thanks for the response, I forgot to mention that I replaced the cat and plugs but still have the problem.

    Thanks!

  • tomkelso69 Jan 07, 2009

    Thanks, I will also try that!

  • tomkelso69 Jan 08, 2009

    Follow up note:



    It was the mass air flow sensor, the electrical component at a cost of $149.00. The car runs great!

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1 Answer

Anonymous

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  • Posted on Jan 06, 2009
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Joined: Jan 06, 2009
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Well 1 way to tell if it is the cat un bold the exhaust at the manifold or try and remove the oxygen sensors in front of the cat if it runs fine then you know that the cat is pluged

  • 1 more comment 
  • Anonymous Jan 06, 2009

    Well 1 way to tell if it is the cat un bold the exhaust at the manifold or try and remove the oxygen sensors in front of the cat if it runs fine then you know that the cat is pluged

  • Anonymous Jan 07, 2009

    Have you ever changed the fuel filter at all most cars require them to be changed around 30,000 miles if the filter is pluged it will cause power loss also when climbing hills and its a cheap fix is the check engine light on at all ?

  • mattatat13
    mattatat13 Feb 06, 2014

    no emergency lights on, heavy smoke as intital start and proceeds. As I place it drive it may drive up less than one foot in length it jerks to a haulting stop, this happens in all gears. More I attempt to accelerate the moreheavy smoke bellows out! PLEASE HELP ME ASAP THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

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