2008 Sierra 5.3 - Intermittent Service Traction Control/Stabilitrak

SeanV · September 3, 2013

2008 GMC Sierra 5.3 with 140k miles. I have had every service done at the dealer plus every oil change there as well, on schedule.

For several months now, intermittent problem.

When slowing down/braking in slow traffic (at a light). Engine will suddenly run rough for a couple of seconds, then the Check engine light will start to flash, followed by Service Traction Control/Stabilitrak off lights will come on. If I pull over, turn the truck off then on. No Check engine Light, nothing. Like it is reset and the truck runs fine again until the next time. Which could be 10 miles or 100 miles.

I took it to Dealer A - They replaced a transmission selector switch. Did not resolve the issue. They admitted that they had no idea at that point and anything else would just be throwing parts at it. Bring it back in if the CEL stays on.

So happened again, I kept on driving it when CEL came on, 25 miles later I took it to Dealer B (different dealer than first one). They said that it was an engine misfire, they did a compression test. Cylinder 1 had no compression. They said that it would take 18 hours of labor to diagnose the issue, not including parts. Or I might want to think about replacing the engine. I did neither.

Took it to an independent shop. They did a compression test. All cylinders were fine. They found a TSB about the valve cover. Replaced valve cover, plugs, wires plus some cleaning thing.

Problem still occurs.

What now? Truck runs fine until it randomly throws a CEL and the stabilitrak thing. Keep on taking it places and continue to pay for new parts and service that may or may not resolve the issue? Seriously? Is there anyway to actually troubleshoot this issue? 2 different dealerships and 1 independent shop have no idea.

SILVERADOSC540 · September 3, 2013

Can't diagnose issue but I would try pressing and holding down your traction control button for 5 seconds which will disable Stabilitrac. You will have a Stabilitrac disabled light on your dash. If the problem doesn't happen again it's your stabilitrac system and not the engine. If it still happens you're back to square one.

brucelimerick · September 4, 2013

I don't have much to add except stay away from Dealer B! I wonder about the independent as well. What would a valve cover have to do with your problem, they were guessing too, and also padded your bill with other stuff which meant nothing.

Dealer A had the best idea, your transmission was not downshifting properly once you came off the gas and started applying brake. They were also honest enough to stop there. Use them. It does sound strange though. Could your throttle cable be sticking and not letting the engine slow properly? I have never had stablitrak so have no idea with it but I would assume it is a fancy ABS. For it to activate you would have to have a wheel going a different speed from the rest, which sounds different than your original problem though with an unloaded truck with a very light ass end maybe a back brake is grabbing enough? My 2001 only had ABS on the front wheels in reality. Back end locked up regularily even thought the rear line went through the ABS. The rears had no sensors.

MaverickZ71 · September 4, 2013

Sounds like it could be a bad Throttle Position Sensor (TPS). There is a recall on this item. If it is giving you warning in the Drivers Information Center (DIC) messsage screen, it should be throwing codes. If you can't get to the dealer to get the codes read, stop by an auto supply store for a free code reading or if you are an OnStar subscriber, push your OnStar button and ask for a remote diagnostic and they will tell you the code numbers. The codes will help you track down what the problem is. I'd run away from that dealer that said there was no compression!

If it's not the TPS, it could be your spark plugs are getting fouled by the oil leaking past the rings in the AFM cylinders. Is your truck using oil? Putting AutoRX in your oil can help clean the oil control rings. I run 2 bottles of Techron Fuel System cleaner in my gas tank every 3000 miles, which helps clean the plugs and make it run smoother for a while.

Good luck.

SeanV · September 4, 2013

Yes the truck is using Oil.

The valve cover, there was a TSB about that relates to high Oil Consumption.

There is something that is making it run rough intermittently, usually only at idle or coming to a stop. When it runs rough, misfire? the truck shuts down stabilitrak/traction control (which seems to be a normal response/how it is programmed to happen). So it would seem that what I need to figure out is what would cause it to intermittently (once every 100 miles or so) run rough, which would then be "fixed" by turning off and then on the truck. What does turning on and off the truck accomplish?

Even when it is running rough, it will run absolutely fine at highway speeds.

mcjjjgross · November 19, 2013

I'm having the exact same problem with my 2008 GMC Sierra 5.3 w/ 103k miles! Will be taking it to the dealership this afternoon, will let you know if they come up with anything different.

Josh · November 19, 2013

I'm having the exact same problem with my 2008 GMC Sierra 5.3 w/ 103k miles! Will be taking it to the dealership this afternoon, will let you know if they come up with anything different.

keep us posted mark!

dkjbama · November 20, 2013

My 08 did that when the throttle-by-wire accelerator pedal assembly bought the farm. The truck would drive, but was incredibly sluggish and shaky.

EDIT TO ADD: I took it to the dealer in that condition and left it running in the lot so they could get a tech to look at it. They were able to pull codes that led them to the accelerator pedal assembly.

dkjbama · November 20, 2013

Actually, IIRC they also had to pull the pedal assembly out and bench test it to confirm their diagnosis. The invoice was pretty detailed about what they did. I'll look but I doubt I still have it.

Snow White · February 12, 2014

i've posted some other topics about my specific problem, but this topic is it to a T. true story, I was sitting with the truck running in the lot this morning with the stumbling but no cel, because the idle was so bad it almost quit getting there. WHILE I WAS WALKING into service, it drops a bunch of cylinders (some weird cylinders, not even 4cyl mode) and left it there for the service rep to see.... she shut it off... i hope when she turns it back on it doesn't go away.

GMCustomerService · February 12, 2014

Hi butzers09silverado,

I'm sorry to hear of the concerns you are having with your truck. I'd be happy to take a closer look into this. If you'd like my assistance please send a PM with your name, phone number, address, VIN, current mileage and involved dealer. I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Andraya R.

GM Customer Care

Snow White · February 12, 2014

My issue was resolved by replacing the throttle position sensor... good luck to the O.P.

acsff1075 · December 8, 2017

I have a 2009 sierra with right around 194000 miles on it. yesterday i was driving home on the mass pike when my check engine light and stablitrac service lights came on then my truck began to tick along with my oil pressure dropping and then coming back up. so i pulled into a rest stop to check. so i added oil as i was due for an oil change still didn't fix the problem. got it home to ct did and oil change and the same thing with the check engine and service stiblitrac keeps flashing. when i went to hit the remote start this morning because its roughly 20 degrees out right now that didn't work. no biggie figured id manually start it. well as i was driving to work i get the check engine light traction control lights and the alarms and my outside air temp thermometer is reading that's it is 137 degrees out haha funny because like i said i tried warming my truck up because it is only 20 degrees out .

bgbdwlf2500 · December 8, 2017

47 minutes ago, acsff1075 said:

I have a 2009 sierra with right around 194000 miles on it. yesterday i was driving home on the mass pike when my check engine light and stablitrac service lights came on then my truck began to tick along with my oil pressure dropping and then coming back up. so i pulled into a rest stop to check. so i added oil as i was due for an oil change still didn't fix the problem. got it home to ct did and oil change and the same thing with the check engine and service stiblitrac keeps flashing. when i went to hit the remote start this morning because its roughly 20 degrees out right now that didn't work. no biggie figured id manually start it. well as i was driving to work i get the check engine light traction control lights and the alarms and my outside air temp thermometer is reading that's it is 137 degrees out haha funny because like i said i tried warming my truck up because it is only 20 degrees out .

the remote start not working is due to a CEL code being set. it wont work again until that is cleared.