Almost since I bought this vehicle in 2001 the engine will stall during all kinds of different situations: Backing up and turning to the right side. Slowing down for a turn to the right. Slowing down for a street light. The engine just goes flat dead. So far dealers haven't provided any answers.
I have owned this vehicle for 11 years but drove it very little because of 10-12 miles per gallon and owning a motorcycle. The vehicle ran fine for the first year or so but developed knocking and stalling, that got worse and worse till it quit and the Service Engine came on. I finally after all these years took it to my mechanic who diagnoised my truck, than took it to Dellio Chevrolet in Huntington Beach who also diagnoised my truck, both said it was the CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR ENGINE STALL. My mechanic told me of the on recall #06083 PRODUCT SAFETY-Crankshaft Position Sensor Engine Stall on certain 2001 Chevrolets Silverado, Suburban, GMC, Sierra, and Yukon XL models with the 8.1 V8 engine.Some(only certain ones with certain VIN numbers) in which the crankshaft position sensor can fail intermittently or permanently. If the sensor fails intermittenity, the Service Engine Soon light may illuminate and the vehicle may run rough. In addition, the engine may stall and if so, may re-start immediately or after a cool down period. If the sensor fails permanently, the engine will quit running and will not re-start. Correction- Dealers are to replace the crankshaft position sensor. Mine you if your driving with a trailer or heavy load and the engine quits, you lose power steering, power brakes, and your trying to struggle control of it because it quit running. Not a pretty picture. Well Chevrolet has decided its recall # 06083 only happens to certain 2001 Chevrolet vehicles with only certain vehicle VIN numbers, even though my truck, which isn't in there VIN number list, is diagnoised with the same exact traits as the recalled vehicles. Hey Chevrolet maybe you missed a few! They have refused to fix my truck. I have seen many others who don't fall under these exact VIN numbers who are experiencing the same problem. Come on Chevrolet MAN UP and FIX IT!
Driving at Highway speed, Engine will loose power as if to stop for a second. Vehicle of course jerks for a second. This might happen once in a long time. It has happened in a series of two to three second stops while driving but then everything is fine. It has happened probably 4 to 5 times over the the last 3 to 4 years but it is a define issue. And I believe it has happened during the spring and summer months.
This vehicle has a known problem with stalling that is supposed to be covered under a recall but not for my VIN. I love the truck and it has behaved great except for this one issue. The mechanics could not find the problem through diagnostics and extensive testing. It would stall once a month or twice in one day. There was no rhyme or reason. I finally told them to replace the crank position sensor and that fixed it. 3 months later and not a single stall.
If there is a lemon law complaint filed I believe there should be a recall issued. There isn't one yet, but if my complaint adds another number to the stats GM needs to fix the problem themselves. Especially as much as they charge per hour to fix things. Driving 75 mph down the interstate and the engine suddenly dying definitely gets your attention and could seriously cause accidents with no power steering!!!!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Almost since I bought this vehicle in 2001 the engine will stall during all kinds of different situations: Backing up and turning to the right side. Slowing down for a turn to the right. Slowing down for a street light. The engine just goes flat dead. So far dealers haven't provided any answers.
- Cal B., Hendersonville, NC, US