GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2004 🢒 Grand Prix 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 3.8L (L26 and L32) 🢒 Lack of Power, Sluggishness, or Sponginess

Lack of Power, Sluggish or Spongy

Inspection/Tests

Action

DEFINITION: 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.
    • Inspect the powertrain control module (PCM) grounds for being clean, tight, and in the proper locations. Refer to Power and Grounding Component Views in Wiring Systems and Engine Controls Schematics .
    • Remove the air filter element and inspect for dirt or for restrictions. Refer to Air Cleaner Element Replacement and replace as necessary.

Fuel System
    • Test for incorrect fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Inspect for a restricted fuel filter. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Inspect for a contaminated fuel condition. Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .
    • Inspect for the following conditions that may cause the engine to run rich:

Notice: Refer to Heated Oxygen and Oxygen Sensor Notice in the Preface section.

       - Water intrusion in the HO2S connector
       - Engine oil contaminated by fuel
       - An EVAP canister purge condition
       - Incorrect fuel pressure--Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
       - A leaking fuel pressure regulator--Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
       - Leaking fuel injectors--Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
       - For proper operation of the MAF sensor. Refer to Scan Tool Data Definitions and Scan Tool Data List .
       - Blockage on the inlet screen of the MAF sensor
       - Vacuum hoses that are split, kinked, or improperly connected
       - An air intake duct that is collapsed or restricted
       - An air filter that is dirty or restricted--Refer to Air Cleaner Element Replacement .
    • Inspect for the following conditions that may cause the engine to run lean:

Notice: Refer to Heated Oxygen and Oxygen Sensor Notice in the Preface section.

       - Water intrusion in the HO2S connector
       - An exhaust leak between the HO2S and the engine--Refer to Exhaust Leakage in Engine Exhaust.
       - Vacuum leaks
       - Incorrect fuel pressure--Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
       - Restricted fuel injectors--Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test with Special Tool and Fuel Injector Balance Test with Tech 2 .
       - For proper operation of the mass air flow (MAF) sensor--Refer to Scan Tool Data Definitions and Scan Tool Data List .
       - Fuel contamination--Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .
       - Vacuum hoses that are split, kinked, or improperly connected

Sensor/System
    • Inspect the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for proper operation. Refer to Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System Description .
    • Use a scan tool in order to monitor the knock sensor (KS) system for excessive spark retard activity.

Ignition System
    • Soak the secondary ignition system with water from a spray bottle. Soaking the secondary ignition system may help locate damaged or deteriorated components. Look and listen for arcing or misfiring as water is applied . Monitor the Misfire Current Counters while driving the vehicle within the conditions that the misfire occurred. If a misfiring cylinder can be located with a misfire, use the DTC P0300 table for diagnosis. Refer to DTC P0300 .
    • Inspect for proper ignition voltage output with the J 26792 Spark Tester.
    • Remove the spark plugs and inspect for the following conditions:
       - Correct heat range
       - Wet plugs
       - Cracks
       - Wear
       - Improper gap
       - Burned electrodes
       - Heavy deposits
       - Refer to Spark Plug Inspection .
    • An improper spark plug gap will cause a driveability problem. Gap the spark plugs using a wire gauge gap tool. Refer to Ignition System Specifications and Spark Plug Replacement .
    • Determine the cause of the fouling before replacing the spark plugs.
    • Inspect the spark plug wires for signs of arcing/cross firing, cracks, carbon tracking, plug boot damage, pinched, improper routing, or a resistance value outside the specified range. Refer to Ignition System Specifications .
    • Inspect for loose ignition coil grounds.

Engine Mechanical
    • Inspect for incorrect camshaft timing.
    • Inspect for excessive oil in the combustion chambers and leaking valve seals. Refer to Oil Consumption Diagnosis in Engine Mechanical.
    • Test cylinder compression. Refer to Engine Compression Test in Engine Mechanical.
    • Inspect for incorrect basic engine parts, including the following components:
       - The camshaft--Refer to Camshaft and Bearings Cleaning and Inspection in Engine Mechanical.
       - The cylinder heads--Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection in Engine Mechanical.
       - The pistons, etc.--Refer to Piston, Connecting Rod, and Bearing Cleaning and Inspection in Engine Mechanical.

Additional Inspections
    • Inspect the exhaust system for possible restrictions. Refer to Restricted Exhaust in Engine Exhaust
    • Inspect the exhaust system for damaged or collapsed pipes.
    • Inspect the mufflers for heat distress or internal failure.
    • Inspect the transmission torque converter clutch (TCC) for proper operation.