Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
SUVs Chevrolet Suburban & Tahoe Chevrolet Tahoe Engine and Performance Issues
8 messages, Last post on Aug 31, 2008 at 9:22 AM
You are in the Chevrolet Suburban & Tahoe Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
|
|
|
|---|---|
|
I am about to strangle someone at GM if they can't fix the "reduced engine problem" on my 2004 Chevy Tahoe. (The "reduced engine power" notice appears and the truck cuts down to about 2000 RPM's and either goes 5-10 MPH at most or completely dies out and we loose power and brake functions - this happens anywhere from taking it out of park, or going 65 MPH). We had the throttle sensor replaced last year when it occurred and everything was fine until 3-4 months ago when it started back up again. But guess what? They say their diagnstic shows nothing wrong, and they give it back to us. We took it in over 3 times....mostly because we have 3 small kids and when it dies out on the expressway we feel like we are about to be killed! Now after 3 months it is getting worse, there are pinging and knocking noises and I am going crazy. We took it to another place and they say they can't find the problem with the reduced engine power, but our U-joints need to be replaced! I have a few questions....what is wrong with my truck? AND could the U-joint damage been caused by the power cutting out so much? Someone please help!
|
|
|
Replying to: mom_of_three1 (Jun 30, 2008 2:59 pm) Can't see how any joint damage could be related. |
|
|
Replying to: mom_of_three1 (Jun 30, 2008 2:59 pm) First of all, forget the U-joint job. It has nothing to do with engine performance. That shop is just trying to make money on you with probably unnecessary job with U-joints. It could need service too though but engine performance it has absolutely nothing to do with. Engine acting like you explain is probably some sensor related. There are several sensors and most of them can fail without engine performance loss but a sensor can also start sending wrong input, which the on board computer does not necessarily see as failed sensor because it is getting a signal from it. Usually sensors are seen failed when they just stop working or the signal from the sensor is out of the range where it should be at. In cases like this you will get SES (Service Engine Soon) light, the one with engine picture. There are a couple of sensors that probably will not cause SES light to come on before they totally fail but could cause big problems with engine performance. One of them is the Crank Shaft Position sensor. This sensor reads crank shaft speed and position and is one of the key sensors for engine spark timing. If GM shop is not able to help you with the engine performance problem this sensor it the one I would start myself with. I have changed it myself in my own truck. The sensor cost about $80 but of course the installation is extra if you cannot do it yourself. Problem with this sensor change is that it is located behind starter motor on right side of the engine block. Starter motor must be taken off to gain access to the Crank Shaft Position sensor. Sensor itself has only one bolt on it and is very easy to change but that starter motor takes a bit more to remove and re-install. It could also be a bad wire connection to this sensor but to get your hands just to the wire harness of this sensor the starter motor must come down first. The other sensor that works exactly the same way is the valve position sensor. This sensor is located on top of the engine behind the intake manifold. I is in quite difficult location but I think it can be changed without taking anything else off of the engine. I have not changed this sensor so I don't know how much it costs. I believe above two sensors both will not cause any fault code in car's computer unless they completely fail working but before they do they can cause very severe engine performance problems. And as I said I would start with the Crank Shaft Position sensor. This sensor is quite common to fail probably due to its location in very hot engine oil environment. Arrie |
|
|
|
Have any of you ever had the engine cooling fans so loud that you can hear them cooling 25 feet away? GRRRRRRRRR
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: carolyn9776 (Jul 18, 2008 3:28 pm) |
|
|
Replying to: mom_of_three1 (Jun 30, 2008 2:59 pm) I would think there is most likely some codes getting thrown. Is your Check Engine Light lighted? Before you go changing components willy nilly, you probably want to know what the engine management system is saying. You can take you Tahoe to almost any auto parts store, or for that matter AAMCO and they will read the codes for free. Worth a shot. As for the U joints. I agree, not related, but if they are bad, you need to replace them. Get under the truck and wiggle the driveshaft(s). If you see any play in the U Joints or hear any noises out of them, they need replacement. Ray |
|
| Hey all, I've got a '97 GMC suburban K1500(I know, GMC and all, but I figured that Chevy and GMC have the same exact engine) at 203,000 miles. Just the other day I got back from 2,000 mile trip with it and it started giving me an issue. I'm getting a sort of tickering sound when it idles and the fan is unusually loud. It's become very noticeable since yesterday when I got back. Any ideas? I'm not exactly car-savvy. | |
|
You are here:
Forums
SUVs Chevrolet Suburban & Tahoe Chevrolet Tahoe Engine and Performance Issues
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2009 Chevrolet Suburban
2009 Chevrolet Tahoe
2000 Chevrolet Tahoe Limited/Z71
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
