Why does my Geo Metro lose power when I step on it, or crank with no spark?

Short answer: If your Metro runs fine at light throttle but feels starved for gas when you push past about a third, check the fuel filter, the EGR valve and the injector resistor, a small finned box on the driver's side firewall on throttle-body cars. One 1989 owner's fix was that resistor. If it cranks with no spark, test the coil and ignition module next.

Symptom: It drives fine gently, but past about a third of the pedal it acts like it's out of gas. Or it cranks and cranks with no spark at the plugs. Some cars also blow the ignition fuse at random.

What to check first

1. Replace the fuel filter if you don't know when it was last done.
2. Check the EGR valve for sticking.
3. Test the injector resistor on the firewall against the shop manual spec.
4. For no spark, check for 12 volts at the coil, then test the coil and ignition module.
5. If the ignition fuse keeps blowing, trace the short with a wiring diagram before replacing parts.

Likely causes

1. Failed fuel injector resistor. On throttle-body injected Metros, a small finned aluminum box on the driver's side of the firewall controls current to the injector. It was the fix on a 1989 car that lost power.
2. Clogged fuel filter. The first thing members asked about for a power loss.
3. Stuck EGR valve or clogged exhaust. The EGR valve recycles some exhaust into the engine. A 1996 owner said a cheap EGR valve fixed a similar power loss, and a member said a plugged catalytic converter acts the same way.
4. Bad ignition coil or ignition module. For a no-spark no-start, members pointed to the coil or the ignition module once the crank sensor and fuses were checked.

What it usually costs

One member said an EGR valve was about a $5–6 part years ago. No other prices were posted.

Is it safe to keep driving?

A car that loses power merging onto a highway is dangerous. Drive it gently and fix it soon. A no-start isn't a road danger, but don't keep replacing fuses without finding the short. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

DIY-friendly. The resistor, filter, EGR valve and coil are all easy to reach on a Metro.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the Geo Metro in these years, and none match this problem. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: No recall we found matches this problem, so it's a normal repair, not a free recall fix. Still run your VIN, since other recalls may be open.
• NHTSA complaints: 80 keyword-matched complaints for Geo Metro 1989–1997 (of 554 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-28; keywords: power, hesitation, stall, no start, won't start, spark, coil, ignition, fuse, die) (NHTSA returned no data for 2 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In Geo Metro 1989 loss of power on Car Talk, a 1989 Metro ran fine up to about a third throttle, then acted like it wasn't getting gas, starting on a cold night. Members suggested the fuel filter, a clogged exhaust or catalytic converter, and a 1996 owner said his similar problem was a cheap EGR valve. After a new fuel filter, plugs, wires and a cap and rotor cleaning didn't fix it, the owner found the shop manual pointed to the throttle body injector resistor on the driver's side firewall. Swapping one from a parts car fixed it.
• In Geo metro NO START on Car Talk, a 1992 Metro had no spark from the coil. The owner had replaced the crank angle sensor, checked fuses and found 12 volts going into the coil. Members said it almost had to be the coil or the ignition module next.
• In 96 Geo Metro Ignition issue on Car Talk, a 1996 Metro kept blowing its 15-amp ignition fuse at random. A member said to get a service manual with wiring diagrams to trace the short.

Quick tip

Look up the injector resistor in the shop manual. It's an odd part most people never heard of, and it can make a Metro feel like it's out of gas.

Vehicle focus: 1989–1997 Geo Metro (US).

Safety / mechanic note

Disconnect the battery before working on ignition parts, and never bypass a fuse with wire. Verify with a mechanic.