# 2015 chevy spark loss of acceleration problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Power/Fuel\ **Created:** [May 13, 2019, 2:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259 "2019-05-13T14:05:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ange\_Burnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/74df32/32.png) [@Ange\_Burnett](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ange_Burnett)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 2:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/1 "2019-05-13T14:05:06Z")
I have a 2015 Chevy Spark that I can drive for about 30 minutes and then when I come to a stop and try to go, I cannot accelerate more than a mile if I can even go at all. The engine doesn’t rev at all. The RPMS are all over the place when I am driving. Two codes came off and I was told that they thought we needed to replace the transmission (CVT) . We ordered a refurbished transmission from a reputable company with a warranty. When that transmission was put in it did the exact same thing. (which makes me think it is something else) . Should I send that transmission back? The mechanic (who has never worked on a CVT transmission ) is perplexed because he has also changed the transmission control sensor, the safety neutral switch, the ecm, the transmission pan gasket and something called the TMC and he said that there were 4 of them. Now the car won’t start… You can jump it but as soon as you take off cables, it will not run. The battery is showing charged. HELP??? ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 2:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/2 "2019-05-13T14:10:50Z")
> [@Ange\_Burnett](#): > > The engine doesn’t rev at all. That would point to an engine-related problem, not a transmission problem. I really think that you need to find a new mechanic who can diagnose the problem instead of “throwing parts” at the problem, as your current mechanic is doing. ---
**Author:** ![Ange\_Burnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/74df32/32.png) [@Ange\_Burnett](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ange_Burnett)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/3 "2019-05-13T14:45:35Z")
Any idea what would cause that? When I google 2015 acceleration issues, I see many posts about it out on the web, but no clear cut answers from anyone. ---
**Author:** ![COROLLAGUY1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/corollaguy1/32/7575_2.png) [@COROLLAGUY1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/COROLLAGUY1)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 2:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/4 "2019-05-13T14:57:42Z")
There seems to be a lot of reports concerning this problem but no solutions…I would get rid of this car because it could cause serious damage if you cannot accelerate quickly. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 4:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/5 "2019-05-13T16:05:32Z")
> [@Ange\_Burnett](#): > > When I google 2015 acceleration issues, I see many posts about it out on the web, but no clear cut answers from anyone. I am going to say stop the web search for symptoms. Find a real shop even if you have to go to dealer because it looks like you have spent money on parts you may not have needed. ---
**Author:** ![Ange\_Burnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/74df32/32.png) [@Ange\_Burnett](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ange_Burnett)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 4:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/6 "2019-05-13T16:13:29Z")
This car belongs to my 19 year old and she is devastated because she saved and saved for it and now the bills for it and stacking up and she is a college student and really having trouble making it now with all the problems. I just surfed the web trying to see if anyone ever told what the problem really was. Lots talk of the same issue but no clear cut answer. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 4:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/7 "2019-05-13T16:29:53Z")
> [@Ange\_Burnett](#): > > Two codes came off and I was told that they thought we needed to replace the transmission (CVT) What were the codes? If you clear the codes, do they come back? What are they now, same? > [@Ange\_Burnett](#): > > The engine doesn’t rev at all. The RPMS are all over the place when I am driving. Can you explain further? They seem to be contradictory. RPMs all over the place would seem to be indicative of an engine revving without the normal load from the transmission to the wheels. It could also be an engine problem such as stumbling. So what do you mean doesn’t rev at all? When the RPMs are bouncing around, is it such that the RPMs suddenly shoot up for a brief period before going back to normal or do they bounce above and below what would be considered normal? ---
**Author:** ![Ange\_Burnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/74df32/32.png) [@Ange\_Burnett](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ange_Burnett)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/8 "2019-05-13T16:56:28Z")
When the car is running what I would call normally, the rpm’s seem to bounce around and then go high to 4-5 when doing low speeds. When I have the acceleration problem the rpm’s and engine don’t move at all. No revving at all. It’s like it doesn’t recognize the motor is even running. I can push gas to floor and nothing. The acceleration issue doesn’t seem to happen until about 20-30 minutes of driving. ---
**Author:** ![Ange\_Burnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/74df32/32.png) [@Ange\_Burnett](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ange_Burnett)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/9 "2019-05-13T17:41:44Z")
Not sure on codes, but I will find out. ---
**Author:** ![COROLLAGUY1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/corollaguy1/32/7575_2.png) [@COROLLAGUY1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/COROLLAGUY1)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 7:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/10 "2019-05-13T19:03:15Z")
> [@Ange\_Burnett](#): > > No revving at all. It’s like it doesn’t recognize the motor is even running. I can push gas to floor and nothing. The acceleration issue doesn’t seem to happen until about 20-30 minutes of driving. It sounds like a software issue to me. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 7:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/11 "2019-05-13T19:13:59Z")
If the engine remains at idle and doesn’t respond to the accelerator pedal input there is a problem with the electronic throttle control system. ---
**Author:** ![Ange\_Burnett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/74df32/32.png) [@Ange\_Burnett](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ange_Burnett)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/12 "2019-05-13T19:26:01Z")
is that the same as the Throttle position sensor? ---
**Author:** ![COROLLAGUY1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/corollaguy1/32/7575_2.png) [@COROLLAGUY1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/COROLLAGUY1)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/13 "2019-05-13T19:31:40Z")
Yes,its the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 7:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/14 "2019-05-13T19:38:41Z")
Not exactly, the electronic throttle control system has many parts that can malfunction, the throttle position sensor is one of them. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/15 "2019-05-13T19:51:51Z")
Unfortunately, there appear to be lots of complaints regarding both CVT and unresponsive throttle on these cars. You may want to peruse [https://chevysparkforum.com/](https://chevysparkforum.com/) if you haven’t already… ---
**Author:** ![COROLLAGUY1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/corollaguy1/32/7575_2.png) [@COROLLAGUY1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/COROLLAGUY1)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/16 "2019-05-13T19:52:33Z")
Seems like there are problems with it.Please read this article.Its very similar to the problem you are having. [http://www.carproblemzoo.com/chevrolet/spark/speed-sensor-problems.php](http://www.carproblemzoo.com/chevrolet/spark/speed-sensor-problems.php) ---
**Author:** ![legalgovernmentname\_161](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/67e7ee/32.png) [@legalgovernmentname\_161](https://community.cartalk.com/u/legalgovernmentname_161)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 9:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/17 "2024-10-03T21:23:50Z")
in the last month I have had the transmission replaced twice and I took it in to get what I was expecting to be the third time, but after pulling the codes they said it was the gas pedal. The shop was extremely loud so I couldn’t hear the explanation entirely, so I’ve done some digging and it seems like there’s a problem with the throttle body which is causing very similar symptoms as every time the transmission failed- rough idling, high RPMs but low acceleration, and dashboard hieroglyphics on rave mode. I have found many examples of this happening to folks right after they get a new transmission. I know that there is a special coverage warranty for the chevy spark transmission so I hypothesize that when the codes come back that match that special coverage warranty, the shop goes ahead and replaces the transmission without double checking and they may miss that the throttle position sensor or throttle body has gone bad or needs to be cleaned. also I know it’s been years, this reply is to what you were saying but it is FOR whatever future person is having this problem in a couple years and is furiously googling away with tear filled eyes at 3am on a Tuesday. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 9:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2015-chevy-spark-loss-of-acceleration-problem/140259/18 "2024-10-03T21:33:53Z")
Another thing to consider when replacing the transmission is that the powertrain computer probably stores learned parameters as you drive the car, and these would be parameters learned while the car was driven w/the prior transmission. The replacement transmission may require different parameters, and it may take some driving time for the computer to learn & store the new values. All this could be made more difficult if the throttle body is misbehaving, the gas pedal position sensor is not matching the throttle position sensor like it should, etc.