Chevy Malibu has no power ?

[bleached_baboon]

My automatic Malibu has started acting very odd this week. It accelerated fine off the line but then power just drops off to nothing. Once I get the RPMs up a bit (to around 2800 or so) acceleration kicks in and everything is fine until it is time to shift. The car won't shift up unless I let my foot off the pedal. Then when it does, I am back to the same spot I had with the gear prior. No power until the RPMs are up around 2800 again.

At the suggestion of a mechanic, I replaced the Mass Air Flow Sensor as he says I am getting restricted air flow. The car sat idle for a long time and had a number of codes come up from the check engine light:

P0300
P0125
P0131
P0400
P0404
P1189
U1040

The 0400 and 0404 were from when my wife forgot to put the gas cap back on I am pretty sure.

Anyone have any ideas. I know it is a lot to ask but times are tough and mechanics in the bay area are really expensive.

Thanks.

 

[Ivan B]

places like parts america or autozone can tell you what the codes mean for free.

 

[opal1331]

Ok, a long one to be sure, but here goes, and you figure it out-
300- random misfire
125-not enough cooling, closed loop
137-02 sensor, low volts, bank one, sensor one
400-egr flow malfunction
404-egr flow, ckt, range/perf
1189,- engine oil pressure switch circuit
1040-Manf Centrl fuel /air metering, aux emission controls
These are the book readings of the trouble codes plus the last two are the manufacturers codes.
sounds like you may have a lot of miles on this car, with little or no maintenance, or just a bummer with these many problems.
Good luck with the diagnostics.