Truck stalls when placed in drive

[autumn walker]

This has happened twice this week on me now - both "very" cold times - once the other morning and now this evening.

I start the truck after it has been sitting (cold). I let it warm up for a minute, shift into reverse, back out of my driveway, come to complete stop, shift into drive, immediately stalls.

The truck will fire right back up and then shifting from neutral to drive is fine and I go on my way. Once the truck has warmed up it no longer seems to be a problem even if I stop and restart the truck.

It's almost as if the torque converter is locked up and it causes the engine to stall out, but my understanding is if the TC is locked it should be doing the same thing in reverse... I'm baffled.

 

[5gn-h3t]

Any check engine light?

 

[Renagade132]

Any chance you put gas in it that was bad/dirty? Was it from a gas station you have gone to before? I had a slight issue like that with my Jeep Wrangler in the freezing cold weather and my mechanic mentioned the possibility of dirty gas, old or weak battery, and also suggested to add some dry gas to my tank.

 

[Reloader]

Its possible that the engine temp sensor for the engine ecu is telling the ecu that engine is warmer than it really is and the ecu is leaning the fuel out before its warmed up enough. This probably would not set a code till the sensor goes open or gets farther out of calibration. Be sure throttle body and IAC are clean. These GMs can have a clean shiny plate facing forward and have a quarter inch of goo on the back side. Seen it many times. Also check for air leaks downstream of MAF sensor. Hope its something that simple.

 

[Zach]

Definitely check for codes. Possibly a throttle body issue? Have replaced many. Have two in stock, but fit a wide range of trucks. Really need to find out more info

 

[Caraddict]

Try cleaning your throttle body & mass air flow sensor...

 

[autumn walker]

I do have a CEL, but I have had it since September. IIRC there are two P0442 - evap system leak (small) and P0446 evap vent control circ error.

The gas in the truck comes from the same station I always go to - never had an issue before, but doesn't mean they didn't have a bad tank.

 

[Reloader]

The PO442 could be a bad gas cap or bad seal surface where the cap seats. Is yous a stock cap or a locking one? I've seen lots of aftermarket caps cause evap leaks, especially locking ones.
The PO446 is a vent solinoid problem with the controll circuit. Its usually a shorted coil in the solinoid. That could also be the cause of the small evap leak. Not sure if you can replace the solinoid separately on a GM but I know on a Toyota you usually have to replace the entire charcoal cannister to replace the vent solinoid. Common problem on some Toyotas.
I dont think these would cause your stalling problem but stranger things have happened.
What Zack said about the throttle body is possible. I got a TSB from GM about mine saying they would reimburse if I had paid to have mine replaced out of warranty. Cant remember what their reasons were for failure , but I believe stalling was involved. Im trying to locate it.

 

[Reloader]

Found it. Campaign number 11273A throttle position sensor replacement. It involves 08-09 H2s and it looks like all the Alpha H3s.


On some 2008-2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer; GMC Envoy; HUMMER H2; 2008-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe; GMC Savana, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL; 2008-2010 HUMMER H3; 2009-2011 Chevrolet Colorado; GMC Canyon; and 2009-2010 HUMMER H3T vehicles, equipped with a V8 engine, the throttle position sensor may cause the engine to run rough and cause the malfunction indicator lamp and/or an Engine Reduced Power message to illuminate. If this occurs, it could result in reduced engine power.


This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 120,000 miles (193,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership.



Dealers are to replace the throttle position sensor and reprogram the Engine Control Module. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.

This may or may not address the issue you have but might be something to look into.

 

[autumn walker]

Thanks Reloader - TSB doesn't apply to me as I have a 2007.

I think (hope) the two engine codes are related to the solenoid which I believe can be replaced independently of the charcoal canister. I'm waiting for better weather and a better solution so I don't have to keep replacing the solenoid - it clogs with mud when off road due to terrible factory placement. I understand there is a snorkel option from the factory which came on some of the 2500HD pickup trucks that'll adapt to the H2 solenoid. Also, it's the factory gas cap... from 2007 - could be a seal there. If the solenoid doesn't fix it I'll start looking at the cap and lines.

I also am thinking that the codes and the stalling are unrelated. I'm kind of hoping the truck was just cold (it was cold... like -22 C) and it needed to warm up longer. Figured I'd post to see if there were known issues / similar experience.

 

[alrock]

Scott, I wouldn't exclude the TSB as the issue can apply to multiple years/vehicles but they only choose to apply it to certain years. May not be your issue but just falling outside the date range doesn't mean vehicles won't exhibit the exact same issue. However, with the significant changes between 07 and 08 it might not apply.

 

[Reloader]

Yea, on the pickups the snorkle option is a piece of hose that gets run up to the bell housing area with a filter assembly attached to it and zip tied in place. That should easily adapt to an H2. I think all you get in the kit is the filter and some piss poor instructions. You need to source the hose and ties your self. I tried to find the TSB for this but AllData isnt cooperating today

 

[autumn walker]

Yea, on the pickups the snorkle option is a piece of hose that gets run up to the bell housing area with a filter assembly attached to it and zip tied in place. That should easily adapt to an H2. I think all you get in the kit is the filter and some piss poor instructions. You need to source the hose and ties your self. I tried to find the TSB for this but AllData isnt cooperating today

That might not be so bad actually - if I size the hose myself I can put it up under the hood or something to get it well out of the way.

 

[autumn walker]

Scott, I wouldn't exclude the TSB as the issue can apply to multiple years/vehicles but they only choose to apply it to certain years. May not be your issue but just falling outside the date range doesn't mean vehicles won't exhibit the exact same issue. However, with the significant changes between 07 and 08 it might not apply.

True enough, I'm not sure if there is a difference between the TPS on the 6.0L and 6.2L... or what TPS my truck actually has for that matter. My truck uses an 08/09 oil filter so who knows.

 

[Zach]

True enough, I'm not sure if there is a difference between the TPS on the 6.0L and 6.2L... or what TPS my truck actually has for that matter. My truck uses an 08/09 oil filter so who knows.

I can check tomorrow. I know 05-06 TB is the same and TPS is not serviced. I know 07 trucks had a different TB. Not sure about the 2 off the top if my head. Will look into it though

 

[Zach]

2003-2007 are the same TB. 2008-2009 are a different one.

 

[autumn walker]

2003-2007 are the same TB. 2008-2009 are a different one.

Thanks!