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Post Info TOPIC: This is why I hate newer vehicles
Canadian Poncho


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This is why I hate newer vehicles
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My work vehicle is an 08 Chevy HHR. Lately it has developed an intermittent "surge" under minor load. Usually it occurs at 80-90kmh at 2000 rpm. I scanned it and there are no trouble codes, no misfire data etc.

Back in the day we'd describe it as a "fish hook" sensation. I can't tell if it's the engine or transmission. A day or so ago I went to pull out on the highway and the car would barely move. It seemed to be in limp mode. I pulled over, shut it down and restarted and it was fine. It only did this once. It's frustrating as it could be a dozen different things! This car is drive by wire. Pedal position problem? Throttle position problem? Spark plug? Wire, TCC solenoid? Transmission? I could drive 50km without an issue then all of a sudden it lurches about 4 times and is fine again. It only has 156000km on it. The HHR forums describe a "surge"in the 08s from the TCM. Apparently if you drive like an old man (am I an old man?) the shift logic gets wonky and you have to take it to the dealer to get it cleared and you are good for another few months. This wouldn't explain the limp situation. There's a shop the boss wants me to take it to but they are closed until Jan 4. I guess I'll just keep driving it and hope the trans doesn't grenade (there's no dipstick to check the fluid on these). Good thing I have CAA....



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66 Grande guy


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Totally Todd, this is why I like to look under the hood of a 1966 car. I actually know what all that stuff does!



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ken from northern Alberta

38 Willys pickup electric

39 Buick (327 with 700 r4)

66 Beaumont 4 door hardtop

69 Chevy CST pickup

1976 GMC 23'  motorhome

1994 Impala SS 

1968 Citroen Fourgonnette (Yeah Carl!)
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cdnpont


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Maybe you have to drive it like a teenager Todd!

 



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2drpost


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no power/lack of throttle response/key cycle is a symptom of a bad throttle pedal....



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Canadian Poncho


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I tend to agree. It doesn't seem to act up with the cruise control engaged. I assume the pedal position is out of the equation when the cruise is activated?
2drpost wrote:

no power/lack of throttle response/key cycle is a symptom of a bad throttle pedal....

 



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pontiax


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Gm does have some quirky issues, my older brothers 2009 GMC SIERRA with 5.3L would go into limp mode if you didnt let the system go thru all its bells and whistles when you turn the KEY ON. Found this out the hard way sharing the driving from Winnipeg to Edmonton a few years ago. It behaved when he drove, but went into limp mode when i drove ( I was stuck at 60 kph in a 110 kph zone for 300km.)I learned to let new vehicles to do their thing first. 



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pontorquer


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I can't even step on the gas like a madman and spin the rear wheels like older rear wheel drive vehicles on my 2010 GMC Sierra, It won't let me with this anti spin device :(



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427carl


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Canadian Poncho wrote:

 Good thing I have CAA....

This is why I hate newer vehicles

 

     My newest is a 07 Suburban.  300,000 km.   never been to a garage. never on a hook.     Have CAA.  never used it. 

     maybe trucks are more trustworthy ? 



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2drpost


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Canadian Poncho wrote:
I tend to agree. It doesn't seem to act up with the cruise control engaged. I assume the pedal position is out of the equation when the cruise is activated?
2drpost wrote:

no power/lack of throttle response/key cycle is a symptom of a bad throttle pedal....

 

 yes, cruise controls the t/body

daughter had an '07 Equinox a couple years ago, seems just once a year it would act up



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Canadian Poncho


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So much for that theory. The HHR acted up with the cruise on. Was on a slight grade going about 98kmh and she bucked for about 3 seconds and then smoothed out.

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ABC123


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Ok,

Let me throw this at you.

Water in the gas will cause all kinds of strange stuff with sensors.

Just a thought.

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ABC123


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Interesting reading

Chevy HHR Network

 



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Canadian Poncho


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I've been down that rabbit hole. I think the bottom line is scrap it lol.

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Prefectca


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A friend of mine has a Ford F-150 with a 5.4 and the check engine light was on. The dealer said that he needs an intake runner control motor. Not covered by extended warranty. It involves pulling the plenum to replace. He was telling this to me at work (four years ago before I retired. I handed him a can of intake cleaner and he loaded the intake with it and let it sit most of the day. It fixed it.
I hate all the computer stuff also. Thats why I own a 2500hd, no cylinder management.

Paul

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4SPEED427


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I don't know. It sure sounds like something simple like a spark plug or a spark plug wire. You're saying when it acts up it's a very distinct jerk or is it just a somewhat smooth lack of power? If it's a distinct jerk I would sure check the plugs and wires carefully or does this one just have coils right on the plug? I'm lost without my GM parts computer to look it up!

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Canadian Poncho


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I'll have to look. To be honest it's a work vehicle so I don't have the hood open much. The prev HHR was a 2.4 and it was a way better vehicle (it was also an older one-2004?). This one has been nickel and diming us since we got it last year. Usually the check engine light flashes when there's a misfire. This one is on steady (for VVT faults which it's had since we got it). The jerk is very distinct (the vehicle, not the driver lol)


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4SPEED427


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Boy if it's doing that "fishbite" jerk, I'd be chasing ignition, not fuel. (based on what I've seen at the dealership)

And again, that's coming from yet another internet "expert" who isn't even a technician and hasn't worked in a shop since he was 18!

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
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Prefectca


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We had trouble with Fords at work with misfires that didnt set codes and found that the spark plug boots on the coils were the problem. Sometimes the spark would make its way through the boot to the cylinder head. When the coils were removed the discolouration on the boots from the spark jumping was obvious. I would also check the plugs at the same time.

Paul

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Gillis


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Had the same problem on my wifes car way back when. 2005 Nissan Altima. Driving 110 on the highway then it fell flat on its face. Wouldnt go above 20 kmh. Sat on the side of the road for 10 minutes, started it up like nothing happened and drove home. Happened a few more times intermittently. Found crank sensor was bad. Fixed it and found out O2 sensor was bad too. Fixed that and never had a problem afterwards.

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65 SD L79


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Canadian Poncho wrote:

I've been down that rabbit hole. I think the bottom line is scrap it lol.

 wish we still had ours rather then the $350 by-weekly payments on a new replacement



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4SPEED427


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Nah, you love those payments, it keeps you motivated to go to work. If you didn't have those you'd likely retire and just be in your garage all day playing on old cars.

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

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65 SD L79


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only 10 hours of work this week Carl, went back to bed at 10 am today and didnt get back up till 2pm. A fellow could grow to like retirementbiggrin



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Canadian Poncho


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The boss is looking at replacing it with a used Promaster City. Surprisingly the reviews aren't too bad for these. They have a real transmission instead of a CVT like some of them. He's looking at a few in Ontario. They are about 3 grand cheaper and likely less rusty.

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MC


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For a work vehicle, this is probably a better move than trying to keep a 12-year old high mileage HHR on the road.  If it starts causing you too miss deliveries then it's costing the business more $$$.

Not to mention potentially risking your safety if it craps out when you need to accelerate.



-- Edited by MC on Thursday 31st of December 2020 10:50:23 AM

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bjburnout


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Todd c/o the fuel filter, had a similar problem w/2005 Impala and that fixed it.

Going waaaay back to '91 had a similar problem in a '91 Olds and it was a blocked strainer in the fuel tank

sending unit.....that was a fun job, done on a gravel driveway.......YIKES!!



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......big block, 4 speed, bench seat, it doesn't get much better

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