1999 Chevrolet Lumina Logo
Mary Robbins Don Marchy Posted on Sep 12, 2014
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I have a 99 chevy lumina 3.1 v-6 there is a censer behind the catalytic converter, check engine light stays on, car acceleration is sluggish as a strong odor.

Censer behind the catalytic converter, check engine light stays on, car acceleration is sluggish as a strong odor.

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montehammons

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  • Chevrolet Master 5,531 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 12, 2014
montehammons
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You need to scan the computer for trouble codes, since the CEL is on. Autozone and others do scans for free. The code or codes should be followed up, as that might indicate the problem. Post them here for help.

That sensor behind the converter is the "downstream" oxygen sensor. It is there to monitor the efficiency of the converter.

With that smell and the other symptom, it is possible the honeycomb structure inside the converter has broken up and is plugging the exhaust stream. Have that checked. One method is to pull the exhaust off somewhere before the converter and see if the engine runs much better (very loud, but better). The life expectancy of a catalytic converter is about 14 years, so yours may need replacing. First check the trouble codes, and get an expert's opinion before replacing-they are expensive. Is the smell like sulfur or rotten eggs? Often an indication of a bad converter. If the smell is more like raw gas, the engine is running too rich, so the fuel pressure and fuel pressure regulator should be checked, along with the possibility of a leaking injector. Good luck.

Brad Brown

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  • Chevrolet Master 19,187 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 12, 2014
Brad Brown
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The sensor is the oxygen sensor and it has a lifespan based on mileage and that is around 60,000 miles. If they go bad you have the driveability issues that you are talking about. But if the catalytic converter is bad too then it makes it worse.

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5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 196 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 06, 2009

SOURCE: 2001 Chevy Prizm: Sluggish acceleration, recently replaced Cat.

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

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Anonymous

  • 4669 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 19, 2009

SOURCE: 97 Lumina dash warning lights stay on

For the security light you need to replace the ignition lock cylinder or bypass the security system. For the other two, you need to have the car scanned to see what codes are in the ecm and the abs module.

Anonymous

  • 31 Answers
  • Posted on May 14, 2009

SOURCE: 1997 Chevy Lumina 3.1L Security Light Problem

check your inteior light switch. for a tempory fix remove the bulb

Anonymous

  • 299 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 16, 2009

SOURCE: Chevy Blazer P0303 and P0420

Most probably and if a cat is not flowing proper is causes back preasure that can result in sticking or burned vavles,mechanic not nice by saying ignore the cat effiency code p0420.Can ussually have cat replaced at aftermarket muffler shop for approx. $200 cheaper than valve job or excessive fuel that you have used and damage that may occur to your engine.

Anonymous

  • 466 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 30, 2009

SOURCE: chevy malibu check engine light on code P1665 what

P1665 Evap vent solenoid control circuit

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99 Sun fire check engine light blinks won't go over 35. Thought it was coil pack, now think its TPS. How do I know which?

Have you checked the ecm for trouble codes ?
The blinking light means the problem is serious enough to damage the catalytic converter.
A faulty TPS would cause the engine to be very sluggish, but not cause a miss.
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I have a 99 chevy lumina 3.1 engine it starts up great but it smell of fumes from exhaust pipes after a while it cuts off

The problem you describe is almost certainly a bad/stopped-up catalytic converter. Not fuel line, not trunk seals, not head gasket or anything else. The fuel line answer is just wrong. If your catalytic converter is bad or stopped up, you will also almost certainly need to replace the Oxygen sensor as well.

You didn't say it smells like rotten eggs or sulfur, but that is the most commonly-stated description...it isn't accurate; a bad converter smells like a bad converter. Most people find the odor similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. A clogged exhaust system will shut an engine off after a short time due to backpressure and excessive temperature buildup.

Your check engine light should also be on. Read any diagnostic codes the PCM has set. I'm fairly sure your problem is the catalytic converter...

Steve Johnson,
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I have a 99 chevy lumina 3.1 v-6 there is a censer behind the catalytic converter, check engine light stays on, car acceleration is sluggish as a strong odor.

The sensor is probably one of the O2 sensors. The odor could be too much fuel or not enough.
What is the trouble code stored in the computer ?
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Sluggish Acceleration

A high mileage vehicle usually suffers from any number of maintenance related deficiencies. I would address the Fuel filter maintenance first. It's the cheapest and easiest of the solutions. Lack of fuel pressure under higher demand due to acceleration will result in a sluggish engine. The engine would idle fine and even run fine at high speed but would be sluggish under acceleration. Other more complecated solutions would be worn Ignition coils, Worn spark plugs, Timing belt stretched or jumped timing and the most expensive would be loss of compression in the cyllinders.
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My chevy impala lacks power and acts very bad sluggish while accelerating

Any check engine/service engine soon light? Could be a clogged catalytic convertor, search for cleaning a catalytic convertor. Try cleaning the mass air flow sensor, it is before the throttle plate. If you are losing coolant, your engine is prone to this, it could be leaking intake gaskets.
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Car wont accelerate when going up hills and sometimes when depressing accelerator the car wont respond,its sluggish,Any ideas on what is causing this sluggishness?

May be a clogged catalytic converter, that will cause the exact problem. Also a throttle position sensor may cause this but will most likely set an engine code. If the check engine light is lit you should have the car scanned for codes. Scan it for codes even if it's not lit as it may have stored codes in history. Hope this helps.
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O2 SENSORS LOCATIONS

The O2 sensors are located in the exhaust pipe just off the engine exhaust manifolds and before the Catalytic Converter. A V6 has 2 of them, one for each bank of cylinders, they are referred to as the "Bank 1 and Bank 2 Upstream sensors". There is also a sensor that looks like a O2 sensor it is located behind the Catalytic Converter, its job is to monitor the efficiency of the Catalytic Converter and signal you with a check engine light and a code P0420 if the Cat is not doing its job. Each sensor has its own set of fault codes if problems are sensed in the O2 levels in the exhaust (fuel control problems) and other problems like the heater circuit in the sensor is defective.
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Put accelerator down and you go nowhere,has no power at all.

is the check engine light on ! its possible that the convertor is plugged up. if it is plugged the engine will be very sluggish. A converter that is damaged can cause the engine to not function properly. For example, the engine struggles when going up inclines, it hesitates when you try to accelerate or you experience a noticeable drop in fuel economy. If a tank of gas is not taking you as far as it used to, then it may be time to have the catalytic converter looked at. does it smell like rotten eggs. if so the convertor needs attention. Diagnose any and all diagnostic trouble codes before replacing a catalytic converter to preserve and enhance its performance and effectiveness.
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2000 chevy lumina

How many miles on it? I know Impalas had a problem with the catalytic converters getting clogged. A clogged cat will give the same symptoms. No or little acceleration.
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