losing power while driving

[Frogolicious]

I have a 2003 Vibe GT 6-speed with 60,000 miles and it seems that after I shift into any gear and accelerate it starts losing power for a couple of seconds, the interior lights dim, the stereo scratches, the car lags.. and then it's fine. It does this two or three times each time I drive it. It seems to idle just fine too. Does anyone have any ideas about what could be causing this? I'm not all that mechanically inclined.Thanks in advance for your help!

[Mavrik]

alternater starting to go possibly and under load can't keep up with the demand? Just a guess from the rare occasion I've come across that sort of thing.

[BlueCrush]

Welcome to GenVibe!Doesn't sound like the alternator since it only happens when you are accelerating and it idles fine. Sounds more like it has to do with air flow or air flow readings. Almost like it is bogging down upon acceleration.1) Have you cleaned your MAF(Mass Air Flow Sensor) lately?2) Have you changed the air filter lately?3) Do you have an aftermarket intake?

[Frogolicious]

The answer to your questions is no.. No to all. I should probably do that. And thanks for the welcome. I love this site.

[drunkenmaxx]

i say what the hell, check your plugs too!

[rebbierae]

Reboot!

[rebbierae]

Ok but seriously...how often should one check their MAF? Is that something I should do after so many miles or on a regular basis or only if I seem to be having troubles?

[Jahntassa]

Did you have the AC on at the time, also?

[Psychobroker]

Quote, originally posted by rebbierae »Ok but seriously...how often should one check their MAF? Is that something I should do after so many miles or on a regular basis or only if I seem to be having troubles? With OEM intake, I'd say ever 30,000-45,000 should be fine.

[Mavrik]

Whats funny is I've never heard of a MAF service or checking intervel on any manufactured car I've worked with.A malfunctioning MAF won't draw electrical power causing lights to dim or flicker.Only thing I can think of is see if a dealership will let you take on a data recorder and have it record the module information when this occurs.

[RIT]

Mav - you dreaming? This is a GM car, not a Subaru. The GM dealer will gladly sell you the recorder for $3000, while your Subaru may be nice enough to lend it to you - although i doubt if they would do that, unless you worked in the parts department !

[Mavrik]

oh I forgot to mention I worked as a service advisor for a GM Pontiac Buick dealership from 2001-2005 before working for Subaru in the summer of 2005. It was at GM that we used the data recorders and I had one out in a vehicle for a month before it caught the information we needed. You may be thinking of a tech II $3000 hand held scanner. The data recorder we used plugged in and when the incident was occuring or what not the person driving would just switch it on. I never charged a customer when we put one in their car to figure out what was going on. If the vehicle was out of warranty we charged a diag fee.Here at Subaru we don't even have data recorders that I know of.

[Frogolicious]

No I didn't have the AC on at the time.

[dkim1]

there may be several likely problems.1) it could be a fuel delivery problem.2) it could be a sensor/mechanical problem.3) loose belt, seized belt driven part (such as a seized or grabbing alternator).well...first check 3 because it costs nothing. turn the car on and see if you can hear unusual noises from around the belt area. also, hit the gas and give it about 5,000 rpm and see if the problems exists at park. if the problem does not appear then let's go to 1. use chevron gas for 6 consecutive fill ups. don't use any other brand in between. if it starts to improve, then you had dirty injectors. if you don't have access to a chevron, then buy techron from your local auto parts store. if the problem is still there, then it must be related to a sensor or a major mechanical problem. there may also be a short in your system.have it checked out by a professional who has specialty tools, such as a computer diagnostics machine.gl.