2008 Impala Check Engine , and Satbility Control lights on

[Beer Belly]

A buddy of mine is stuck in NC with his 2008 Impala, he sez that his Stabilty Control Light, Traction Control Light, then his Check Engine Light came on. He sez as long as he's cruising, the car is fine, but when he slows, then needs to get back up to speed (traffic), the car stumbles a lot, and struggles to get back up to speed, but again, once there, cruises fine. From what I've read, it could be a TPS, or and EGR Valve. He has not been able to pull codes, as he is in the middle of nowhwere, and is worried he'll cause more damage if he keeps driving.....any clues, or direction would be appreciated. Thanks

[Doug_Scott]

Couple of years ago I had a buddy that had an older GMC pickup. He was complaining of no power on acceleration, but once up to speed it was good. As soon as he put the gas pedal anymore than about 10% applied, the truck would fall on its face. My first thought was plugged exhaust.

He took it in to get it looked at, they suggested changing fuel filter first. That was all it was. I am from the pre-efi world, so the plugged fuel filter did not behave like a plugged fuel filter on a carb behaved.

 

Short version of post: check fuel filter.

[Beer Belly]

:cheers:Thanks Doug

[Beer Belly]

The problem ended up being a Broken #1 Spark Plug.....another GM Vehicle that has Tune Up Component that doesn't make it to it's 100,000 mile Maintenance interval, and the customer pays full price for replacement. Maybe GM should revise the schedule to meet the reliability of the parts

[Doug_Scott]

The problem ended up being a Broken #1 Spark Plug.....another GM Vehicle that has Tune Up Component that doesn't make it to it's 100,000 mile Maintenance interval, and the customer pays full price for replacement. Maybe GM should revise the schedule to meet the reliability of the parts

 

I don't have my manual handy, but, is there a difference in the manual between normal and severe servcie intervals? Used to be two intervals, and it was extremely difficult to fit into the 'normal' interval. 'Severe' actually fit the vast majority of drivers. Personally, I don't trust spark plugs lasting 160,000km, and being able to get them out of the aluminum heads.

 

That being said, good that you found the answer 'cheaply'.

[Beer Belly]

Thanks again Doug. He only has about 60k on the car, and my Wifes had 51k when a Tune Up component crapped out.....both ended up with dealer recommended tune ups way before the scheduled interval. I just don't know how GM can just keep sticking customers with the total bill when the parts are failing before their expected lifetime.....it's not like they can claim abuse when a Spark Plug breaks

[Doug_Scott]

My buddy has a 05 GMC SLT that he bought new from dealer. 32 months later the check engine light came on. Truck had just under 50,000km on it, we knew what the codes were for, missing on number 1 and o2 sensor error. Dealer called him later in the day and said come pick it up. They replaced 2 o2 sensors and 8 plugs. All under warranty. That was under the bumper to bumper warranty. That was the first I had ever heard a dealer replace plugs under warranty. But, when I was working at dealer, tune ups were done before you got to the end of warranty.

[Beer Belly]

I believe in Oil Changes every 3,000 miles, but a lot of manufactures are pushing it to 10,000 miles.....our GM's will let us know when it is needed (usually around every 4,500)....Tune Ups were 30k....then got pushed to 60k, and now are 100,000k. Now, if they put in print, a 100,000 interval, I would hope it would come close .....well, it is what it is, pay the bill and drive away.....now I have an intermittent knock that sounds like it's from the motor on my '13 Silverado, I told the dealer it may be a Cracked Flywheel....he agrees, and they are pulling the truck apart this Friday....8,500 miles....and so it begins ....really missin' my '06 right about now

[Doug_Scott]

Not sure if I made my point clear in my post about getting plugs under warranty. GM has done us a favour in a roundabout way. Defective spark plugs should show up early in their life. With GM putting scheduled maintenance at 100k, that means the plugs are covered up to the end of bumper to bumper warranty.

 

With the changes in technology in the last 20 years, it is becoming feasible for plugs to last 100k. Problem is some of the support subsystems are not lasting as long as GM was counting on due to variables beyond our control. Why are there different tiers of fuel companies in the US? For some reason, in Canada, we do not have this system, at least we don't have it publically known. If the fuel being sold was required to be at a specific quality/grade and was required to be the default grade of fuel, as opposed to the current system where you need to know if the fuel station is a tier one station. Tier one stations should be the norm, and lesser stations should be well publicized as being lower quality. This is just one of the support systems that will have an impact on the life of consumable parts of an engine.

[Beer Belly]

You do realize we are talking "miles", not "kilometers"......

[Doug_Scott]

Yes I do. I left the word "miles" from that post. One of those things that most everyone uses these days, but, I have normally been using km, and I have been tryinjg to specify the units I was referring to.

Sorry for the confusion.