Have a 1999 Alero. Occasionally after driving for a while, I'll accelerate and car won't shift into highest gear and top out at about 3800 rpms. If I lay off gas for a few seconds can usually feather it to finally go into highest gear, but it's certainly an uneasy feeling not having the power when you need it. It's not like a flutter, or stalling hesitating, the rpms just stop increasing at 3800 rpms.

Currently have about 50k miles, problem started around 40k miles. I usually drive car hard; first 25k were 30 mile highway trips, last 25K were trips under 10 miles.

Have the larger 3.4(?) engine, auto trans.

Brought to shop and they found no error codes. They recommended to start w/ some dry gas and fuel cleaner which I did, but problem still occurs (although less frequently). More times than not, below 1/2 full gas tank when problem occurs, but not always.

Have repeated the probelm several times at same intersection where there's a left turn and "bump" in the road.

I have not had my trans/ trans fluid checked, but that's my next guess, poor viscosity.

Can it be a governor kicking in?

Any other ideas?

When the governor kicks in, you will feel it. When I had my Malibu I had an issue with it running horribly and I had trouble keeping it started...so long story short, I shifted it into neutral and hit the gas...when the rev limiter, or governor kicks in, there is a hard bang that comes from the engine bay.

Also, with my Alero, I hit the top speed and the governor kicked in...same exact thing.

Jeremy

Thanks Jeremy.

Yes, limiter, that's the word I was thinking of. I don't get that knock when the limiter engages. Oddly it seems to also limit the rpms to about 3800, the same rpm level when my Alero occasionally gets "limited" while driving.

I would have your car checked out. Like you said, it sounds scary not having the power if you need it. I think any GM stealership will charge a $49.95 diagnostics charge, and many will credit that back to you if you get the car fixed at their shop.

Jeremy

Hey guys, here's just a quick thought, I don't know how it would fit together, even if it does! Anyway, here goes....(i hope that its not just my alero that does this!)

I have notice, that if you put the car in neutral at a stop, and rev up the engine, it limits you to about 3800-4000 rpm's. However, if you are driving and put it in neutral and rev it up, it will go all the way to the redline. Maybe this problem has something to do with a speed sensor and the tranny! Well, this is just a thought, and I hope that I don't sound like an idiot!
Well good luck!
-Jordan

Actually...I noticed this problem in my 2003 alero about 6 months before they found coolant leaking into my oil...they found the problem to be the lower intake manifold gasket. But I drove to central PA lots and noticed that even on the hills i couldn't get my tach up past the 4 although if i stuck the car on cruise control before the hill the car could produce the tack to go over 4. Like i said...i noticed the problem 6 months before any sign of the real problem so it was hard for them to diagnose.

Maureen

When the car is in neutral, the rev limiter kicks in at 3800 rpm to prevent engine damage. The car figures that if you're not rolling anywhere, there is no need to rev the engine to the redline. When you're in drive, that's a different story. It will let you push it (I believe) until 100 rpm PAST the redline.

- Jeremy