• Welcome to H4O! For a reduced ad experience, please login or register with the forum.

Need Help

Dilo

Member
Messages
8
I will make this short, I have been haven a lot of motor problems . The latest one is coming to a stop the motor starts to run rough and feels like its going to stall but at a complete stop it runs fine. The dealer trying to blame the K&N bull it's been on there for 6 years. Today I put the factor setup back on and no improvement. The motor is back to all the original settings and parts. All sensors have been replaced and also they told me a few months ago I had to much sludge in the motor I always use synthetic. The last codes where P0017,P0300,P0340,P0341 and the dealer took care of this.

Any ideas?

Thank you
 

rascole

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,852
Location
Bellflower, CA
At an idle in Park or Drive it runs fine? When you take off from a stop it is fine? Need more info...... Sounds familiar to an old issue I had with my 1988 IROC transmission, torque converter was bad and kept the tranny locked too long almost stalling the engine.
 

ArtHummer

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,220
Location
Gaithersburg/MD
Did you cleaned the MAF sensor? When was the last time you changed the spark plugs and coils?
How many miles? Does engine make any grinding/vibrating noise?
 
Last edited:

4speedfunk

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,250
Location
Tardville
Don't panic. A CE code rarely means "this part is bad"....so don't start swinging a baseball in a dark room, by replacing sensors. If you have already done that...and the problems still exist, then its probably not a sensor. Code chasing and trouble-shooting requires an almost Dr. Spock-ish logic. Human nature tends to make us think the worst but, most often...its something really simple. So for that reason...always start with the easy (cheap) stuff.

First...realize you have multiple codes. Spock says..."its very rare that multiple sensors would fail at the same time". That can make things more difficult but, it can also mean that something is causing many sensors to freak-out, instead of just one. The most common cause of this is erratic or low voltage...often traced to bad battery terminals or stray coil voltage. Make sure the cables are good & tight, especially the ground (the black one). H3's are know to have crappy cables.

Next...realize your codes are all mis-fire related. Some are random misfires, and also a crankshaft sensor. If it were just the crankshaft sensor by itself...I would check that sensor. But, since you've got all kinds of stuff goin on...I tend to think its something else. The first thing I would check is the coil-packs on top of the motor. Spock says..."electricity follows the path of least resistance". When the electrical current can't jump the spark plug gap inside the cylinder...it will usually jump thru the insulation and ground out on the nearest metallic object. This is VERY common problem on the L5 motors...and its especially common on the H3 because the plastic louver on the hood snaps in to holes that are perfectly placed (yup)...to funnel rain water right down into the #1 plug well. This will cause the voltage to jump from the coil to someplace its not wanted...and that will play hell with a computer controlled motor. IF YOU NOTICE THE STUMBLING GETS WORSE WHEN ITS RAINING OR DAMP OUTSIDE...that should tip you off that it might be stray voltage.

If the battery terminal check doesn't yield any results...take the air box off the top of the motor and remove the coil packs. This is a simple procedure, and you need to pull them up off the valve cover and see if there is a bunch of nasty rust flakes and wetness down inside the spark-plug wells. If so...that's your purp! Clean em up and re-install them...see if it makes a difference. GM recommends replacing them because once they leak voltage, they tend to create a "hot-spot" in the insulation, and even if you clean them...the electrical path has been established, and it won't be long before they start shorting out again. But you should be able to notice a difference by cleaning them and going for a test drive. Its a cheap and easy way to eliminate one more possible cause. My money is on the coil packs/spark plug boots.

The H3 will set specific mis-fire codes for each cylinder. You can use this to trouble-shoot by swapping the suspected coil (lets say #1) for...the #4 coil. Then drive it a few days and see if it throws a mis-fire code on the #4 cylinder. That will tell you without question that the coil is failing and it needs replaced. Also...the failure rate on these coils is very consistent. If one is going...there will usually be more to follow shortly. GM almost always replaces the entire set of five for this reason.

The K&N is fine...thats b.s.
Sludge effects the crank sensor?...that's really reaching. I don't buy it.
Drive long and prosper.
 
Last edited:
D

Dennis

Guest
Mark..I agree with Mr Funk here..the most likely and easiest to fix is the SPARK PLUGS and or Coil packs.....I'd start with NEW PLUGs (Iridium) first and go from there...If these are your originals, then I know you have a sh1t-load of miles on them..Once they start to break down they ain't worth trying to clean....I changed mine at 60,000 miles regardless...Even then it made a big difference in smoother idling, etc...

But ArtHammer also makes a good point..Make sure your MAF is real clean too...That will give a weird idle, but won't throw codes like a misfire too much.


BTW..Did you ever have your Head replaced because of the bad valves issue?...If not, this could also be your problem...I know you have an 06 and in that VIN range.
 

Dilo

Member
Messages
8
My first problem started about 6 months ago it would not start on the first turn the second turn it bucked and stalled finally the fourth time it started I got it home and it repeated the same thing then ran awesome for about two months then started all over, the first time I did a relearn on the crankshaft. Cylinder one had a misfire we took that plug and put it into #2 and the coil into#4. The second time it happen I took it to the dealer they said it was caused by to much sludge the removed the crankshaft sensor and said the filters where clogged they clean it and it ran fine. Took it back again the replaced the sensor because the screens feel off. I have 66k on the truck never replace the plugs or coils that what I plan on doing next. Dennis I never had the heads replaced my vin# is on that list but the dealer saying it not the problem. The MAF was replaced and the throttle body was cleaned the battery is new and the connector are tight.
 
D

Dennis

Guest
I had my head replaced and I was in the VIN range too...it took the dealer's service about three days of constantly checking until they were able to prove a leaking intake valve in #4..They too also said they didn't believe the head/valve seats were an issue at 60,000 miles, since I made it that far....But after I insisted they stay with it..they finally proved the head to be bad....This was in January 2012...So I'm just saying..I had a specific #4 misfire code of P0304 and then Random misfire code P0300....But a compression leak test was the only way they could prove which cylinder was the culprit.

Good luck..we're just chasing our tails now..
 

Dilo

Member
Messages
8
I'm going to give it one more chance if not it's time to let it go :(

The Ford Raptor is nice :))
 

f5moab

Mr. Beretta
Messages
2,000
Location
In hiding.....
I'd be looking at injectors or as Rasole stated the TC. The PCM can do a great job of regulating fuel flow through the injectors at idle and at a decent acceleration, cruise or even a wide open throttle if the injector are not operating correctly (clogged, won't close all the way, won't open all the way, etc.). But if an injector is bad (clogged, internal coil bad etc.) the PCM has a problem during the transition phases of fuel flow such as coming to a stop just before idle or accelerating from idle.
And a malfunctioning TC can cause the problem during the slow down to idle.

As for the K&N...it is not the filter that can cause a problem it is the oil in the filter. From the factory, no problem, but people who do their own recharge at home, they sometimes get a little wild with the oil and that oil gets on the wires for the air temp and flow sensors and that causes all sorts of driveability problems. All the manufacturers have issued bulletins warning of this. But if you have replaced the sensor it should not be a problem. (GM's bulletin: #04-07-30-013B: Info - Automatic Transmission Shift, Engine Driveability Concerns or Service Engine Soon (SES) Light On as a Result of the Use of an Excessively/Over-Oiled Aftermarket, Reusable Air Filter - (Feb 1, 2007)

As for the code diagnosis your dealer did. It sounds like they went after P0017, when they should have looked at P0340 first (Intake cam sensor) and those are a noted problem on all the inline engines.
 

alrock

El Diablo
Staff member
Messages
10,677
Location
Scottsdale
I periodically get the P0017 code. I've replaced both camshaft position sensors. Some references suggest dirty oil can be an issue, so maybe the sludge issue has some truth to it.

One thing I tried and it at least appeared to work for a while - I changed my oil, added in a quart of engine cleaner/sludge breakdown magic fluid and ran it for about 200 miles. I then changed the oil again. Didn't have the P0017 code again for quite a while. Could be coincidental as I certainly can't back it up.

The only consistencies in when the code appears: oil has more than 4000 miles on it and often (but not always) that it appears after a long, hard run, like heading down the highway at 75 but then hitting city streets with stop and go traffic.

So, could anything like a tired oil pump contribute to symptoms like this? I'm guessing here. My engine runs fine, but I get these codes. Could be related to Dilo's issues.
 

H3slate

Brush raked
Messages
983
Location
Tualatin, Oregon
I am going to throw an idea out at you. I had some engine running rough issues a while back. My intake manifold was loose at the engine. It would cause the engine to run rough sometimes and fine other times. You have the I-5 right? On the right side of the engine check for movement of the manifold to the right of the intake. Some of the bolts are hard to get to, but tightening the bolts fixed my problem. Not sure how it got that way, never touched it before. Oh, and I also have the K&N.

Good luck!
 

Dilo

Member
Messages
8
Finally took the truck back to the dealer today. I been out of town for weeks at a time for work. I asked them to replace the plugs, clean the injectors and throttle body.Before I left to work in SF I herd a noise in the motor so today I told them I think it's the water pump they thought it might be the tension pulley. They called tonight the water pump is gone and coil one which gets wet like you mention. So I believe once the coil is replaced it will be back to normal.
 
D

Dennis

Guest
That's good..I had a grumbling noise too, so I changed my whole front part of the engine this summer..Radiator, Pump, fan clutch, both pulley's and a new belt..Went with new plugs a year ago..purrs like a kitten now..

Speaking of kitten..

LXZGye3_zpsb72ee030.jpg
 

digglesworth

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,789
Location
illinois
I too am having the stumbling issue when comin to a stop. As the rpms drop, the fall to around 500 or so then it catches itself and steadies around 700 or so. I replaced the plugs, throttle body and used the supersparkz spring deletes less than 10000 miles ago when I bought the truck. I did notice a little "corrosion" on the front most coil pack. My hood trim got the recall work done before me but it looked like it did leak on the coil pack. I used some steel wool to clean it up a bit but looks like I'll be replacing them. Probably clean the MAF sensor again too... If it would be something torque converter related, could a trans flush help revitalize the system? This thread was a realhelp...
 

Mr_Rich

Well-Known Member
Messages
667
Location
Yucaipa & Santa Maria
Yesterday I put over 400 miles on my truck with a run down to LA and back. In the last 50 miles I suddenly got the reduced power, stab sys fail, and it was stumbling bad on 101. I down-shifted to third and tried to make it to the rest area at Gaviota which was closed. I had to pull off to the side of the highway and try an emergency fix. That consisted of using my 10mm wrench to remove the neg batt cable for a minute to reset the system. I was able to start the truck up and it ran fine pulling the grade up Gaviota and on to home. I think it's MAF related and I'm going to replace the air filter and clean the MAF sensor today. It's done it before and it really makes the systems go nuts...
 

alrock

El Diablo
Staff member
Messages
10,677
Location
Scottsdale
Rich, are you using a regular paper filter or an oiled filter? Glad you were able to clear the error and make it home.
 

Mr_Rich

Well-Known Member
Messages
667
Location
Yucaipa & Santa Maria
I'm back up north in farm country where it's dusty. I sold the family home in LA finally. There was nothing left there but memories. Getting back to the truck; I cleaned the MAF and replaced the air filter with a stock AC. I have a friend who works at the local Chevy dealer and I get a price break on parts. My truck seemed to be running okay on the highway for a short trip yesterday.
 

Dilo

Member
Messages
8
Well I got the truck back to me it's running worst. I really thought after the plugs and coil pack it was going to be like new I give up. I just made a call to a dealer to look at a Ford Raptor. From spring time till now I put over $5000 into the 3 I should of got rid of it when I wanted to but I was talked out of it.
 
D

Dennis

Guest
Well That's too bad....hope the Ford works out for ya..

Anyway..Later dude... FWIW, was good seeing you around again...
 
Top