Motor(s) Gone Wild!

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Mr Ghostrider

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Wondering if anybody else has had any kind of engine troubles with their Hybrid?

Mines got about 44,000 miles and yesterday I started it up at the gas station and the electric motors revved up to what sounded like full throttle, then the system threw error codes galore. (My bluetooth OBD-II + Android Torque picked up about a dozen random error codes).

I was down the street from the dealer so drove down there in "REDUCED POWER MODE" which basically meant electric motors only. They cleared the codes and called it a logic lock error caused by something random (solar flare?) but it was running fine again.

Later though, I started it up and same thing! Except this time I cleared the codes myself. Started up but did it again and I didnt shut it down as fast and the turbine sound of the motors was accompanied by a shake and a "SERVICE HYBRID SYSTEM" message. The truck was dead. Called a tow truck, 30 minutes later, it started right back up and with no codes.

The dealer now told me that it sounds like a dirty throttle body causing the sensor to stick and cause a throttle up at start. Instead of servicing it, he told me to just take it home and clean it with some spray.

Havent cleaned it yet but wondered if anybody has thoughts on this? It sort of makes sense but I dont get how the gas throttle body causes the electric motors to spin wildly out of control?
 

soulsea

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Mmm ... never had that happen before but I did have the 'service hybrid system' shutdown for another reason: http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29043

There's some info in that thread about why it happens, how the truck 'reboots' after it happens, and what the dealer has to do. On that last front if all the dealer did is clear the codes then he didn't do his job. After such a shutdown the dealer has to do a full computer reset which if I remember correctly took about an hour. If he doesn't it will keep happening over and over.

Btw, before you start spraying stuff have your 12v battery tested ... more often than not a week battery is what causes the shutdown you describe.

And make sure you go to a dealer that has a GM hybrid trained specialist ... most of their regular mechanics don't know jack about our trucks.
 
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Mr Ghostrider

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I've been watching a few live parameters with the OBD-II scanner (link...this is an awesome tool..turns my EVO 4G into a super dashboard...mmm...more data)

Mostly watching throttle controls and I haven't quite figured out what they all mean but its been running like a champ.

Good idea on the battery..didnt even think about that. OBD voltage looked good but that was with the charge leads hooked up and regulating voltage. I will disconnect it and test it the old fashioned way.

I wish there was a certification for a Hybrid dealer...the first dealer was obviously not a Hybrid mechanic...they thought I was talking about the starter motor until they looked under the hood. the 2nd dealer was more on point...I think I'll just look to see if a Chevy Volt is parked out front from now on...that seems like a good indicator.
 

soulsea

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I am all but certain that there is 'hybrid' certification for mechanics ... just have to find a dealer that has one. :waytogo:
 
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I was at Autozone/advance talking with one of the employee's a while back. He said he just spent two days at a training seminar for hybrid batteries. Didn't really feel like talking to him about it at the time so i'm not sure if it was just the batteries or hybrid cars in general...

Made me feel a little better seeing as how the other store acted like I had the plague when I mentioned the word hybrid.

But i'm with others on this in testing/replacing the battery. I've had batteries test good multiple times causing me to hunt other causes for the problem for days just to wind up replacing the battery anyway and the problem magically fixing itself....
 
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Mr Ghostrider

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I wish there was more documentation out there on self servicing Hybrid components. It seems very easy with all the OBD tools, etc...as long as you follow the "Dont touch anything orange" rule of thumb.

I have my scanner running all the time I'm in the car monitoring the electric, gas and pedal throttle controls to see if it creeps up again but haven't had any troubles since the indecent.

Looking at the available PID's available from the Palmer Performance GM pack makes me realize that there is a LOT of data being collected and monitored on the Hybrid system. I wish I could just buy the codes they use to get at the information since its right there...just need to know how to ask for it from the OBD system.
http://www.palmerperformance.com/support/supported_vehicles/gm_enhanced.php#gm_hybridbattery.txt
 

taylorjm

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Is it still under warranty and the dealer told you to take it home and spray the throttle body? That's BS. I would have told him to take it out back and spray it himself if that's what it needs. That should be a sure sign to not take it back to that dealership. They would probably then deny your warranty when you brought it back in because you sprayed something into the engine.
 
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Mr Ghostrider

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Is it still under warranty and the dealer told you to take it home and spray the throttle body? That's BS. I would have told him to take it out back and spray it himself if that's what it needs. That should be a sure sign to not take it back to that dealership. They would probably then deny your warranty when you brought it back in because you sprayed something into the engine.

In all fairness, it was about 10 minutes til 8pm close, I had just been stranded in an empty parking lot for 30 minutes and wasnt really feeling like dealing with getting a rental or sitting around a waiting room for another 2 hours. That and they've known me since I've had my first car (uncle is manager)... Plus if I don't go back to that dealer...well they are my last option for Hybrid service. I wouldn't trust the other shops with a golf cart.

But if I was some stranger who showed up with a dead truck and they told me to spray the throttle body...yeah I'd probably be converting back to a good ole gas motor.
 
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