Very Hard 1-2 shift, Service Stabilitrak Light

[BanditHoe]

I'm going to check mine tonight with the TechII, but mine started doing this as soon as the engine misfires came on. Last night I determined cylinder #4 was misfiring, started swapping the wires, plugs, coils, etc. and found the plug in cylinder #4 was bad. I've got new plugs, so i'll know tonight if that's what is causing it. But many times if the computer detects a misfire it can also affect the transmission settings - I went though this in my 98 Regal with TCC lockup and misfires.

Option two is the vehicle dynamics control module above the rear axle. Last year my truck died and wouldn't start - like somebody else described. In these trucks when one of the many modules (upwards of 7 - depends on options.) goes down it drives the system crazy. The ones that commonly fail in my climate are the fuel control module, dynamics control module, radio module or airbag module (under the drivers seat). I unplugged and removed my dynamics module last year and the truck started and ran good. That's why I know mine isn't because of that module, but it could be for others. The replacement dynamics module is $350 online, $500 at the dealer. The other reason i'm encouraged that this could be the failure point of many of the described failures is because the yaw sensor (used for stability) in the steering column communicates with this module; yaw sensors are also a common failure as well.

Option three, and possibly my issue, is a wheel speed sensor. This is easy to diagnose with a TechII or scanner. Watch the wheel speeds as you drive and replace the erratic sensor.

Most of the described problems I would lean towards a failing module, likely one of the ones I listed. When mine went, the truck went nuts, gauges flashed, shifting weird, every light on the dash lite, etc. Start by unplugging them one by one and drive in between to determine which one it is.

 

[BanditHoe]

Just to keep this updated in case others need input on this. My misfire definitely caused my issue. From what I could tell from the GM information is the the EBCM (electronic brake control module) uses the wheel speed sensors to also monitor misfires, this is done to make adjustments (stability/traction) when rough road conditions are met.

Weird, but all of my concerns were caused by a $6 spark plug. Mine were E3s with only 40k on them. This is the second time E3s have given me trouble - my HHR also exhibited misfires on E3s - either way, GM/ACDelco iridiums went in their place. Two days, 150 miles, no issues.

 

[rbstahoe]

Intermittent Stabilitrak issue

I just want to add my experience to the mix:

I have experienced the following with my 2007 Yukon SLT:
Stabilitrak OFF light on
Service Stabilitrak notification
Service Traction Control notification
Check Engine light on
Hard shift from 1st to 2nd gear

This situation has occurred 3 or 4 times over the last 2 years. It has only occurred after a long period of coasting downhill (approx. 6 miles) without using the accelerator. Each time, the above listed items occur. The Stabilitrak and Traction Control warnings will remain for one or two driving periods (turn vehicle off, let sit overnight, then drive again for a short time) then disappear, along with the hard shift, while the check engine light will remain on for an additional off, sit, drive cycle and then disappear.

I haven't had it in for service because the problem resolves itself before I can get to a dealer.
Fortunately for me this issue is very infrequent and clears up pretty quickly. It seems that if I use the gas pedal, at least once in a while, while coasting I can avoid the problem.

This probably doesn't help anyone but I wanted to add my experience to the long list. Fortunately for me this is the only issue I have had to deal with during the 3.5 years and 30k miles (110k total mileage) I have owned my Yukon. I have been very happy with the vehicle.

 

[93sc300.]

So I can add to this thread. I had this problem the other day with the "service stabilitrack.. service Traction Control", tranny wouldn't shift out of probably 4th gear at all. I disconnected the battery and it reset so I did some research and replaced the Throttle Position Sensor which was 58 bucks. The error popped up again 2 days later but I didn't have the tranny or accel issues. The CEL stayed on. After more research, I found that people had up to 40% alcohol in their gas when the problem started. I noticed I put gas at a different gas station so I ran the gas out of the tank, put gas at a regular station and right when I turned my vehicle on, the CEL was gone. No issues since. its only been a couple days but I will keep this thread updated. Im changing my plugs just in case so I can rule those out if the gas was bad. Hoping this works. Unfortunately, both the instances were at night so I didn't get the codes pulled. Im thinking bad gas is the culprit at this point.

 

[BanditHoe]

Yours sounds related to the E85 sensor. I wouldn't say it's common, but I've seen it before. The sensor that adjusts the AFR based on alcohol content sometimes gets hung, especially if it isn't used very often. A reset or reflash will usually reset the sensor, like you did.

 

[Bullypits]

Unbelievable I have the same issue rt now.. Service lights come on at a stop then as I take off a hard shift from 1st to 2nd and then its back to normal.. Wat is it??? Any help plz!! All so get a check engine light come on some times that sounds like a miss fire..

 

[kait pratt]

For months now my 2010 chev tahoe has been back and fourth to dealer with end result "Sorry Mrs. Pratt we weren't able to locate the problem bring it back when the lights come back on"

Randomly the "service suspension" light comes on and the speedometer acts erratically causing harder shifting. sometimes the check engine light comes on also. Will drive car for 20+ mins or so and it goes back to normal or I shut it off and it sits for a while and get back in and all services lights go off. Sometimes it says service suspension, traction control off, park assist off and service stabiltrack . I notice it happens more when there is moisture in the air. It is so aggregating that the GM dealer cant come up with a solution. They replaced the control module which didn't fix anything....

has anyone been able to get a similar problem fixed!!!

 

[broken08]

Mine started too. 2007 Yukon xl Denali 100k. No answers yet. Any more solutions? If you add up all the different things people have had to do, it sounds like just about every drive train part has been replaced with and without success. I might return this thing to the dealer I just bought it from while I can.

 

[retiredsparky]

The GM vehicles seem to have a (for lack of a better word) "buggy" or unreliable control system. I suspect there are too many lines of code with too many patches applied over the years to solve various problems. This is the problem with Microsoft applications as well.

Replacing the battery if it has been in the vehicle for some years sometimes fixes some of these issues. I have repaired several vehicles by replacing an older battery. In each case the batteries tested OK. The unusual symptoms totally went away. I believe that older batteries may create electrical noise in the vehicle, kind of like static on a radio. This is not to say that it will always work!

 

[puckhead]

Same issue here. Hard shift when coasting etc. I took it in and had the motor mounts replaced, they were bad. I think it helped a bit but I still have the thunk. Don't know what to do next. Wife is pregnant and I don't want it to break down with her in it.

 

[Al Torrez]

Long time reader, 1st time posting..

Here we are 2 years later... hoping we found a solution... 2008 Yukon Denali 188k.

Symptoms
-"Service stabilitrak" "Traction control off" etc has started popping up.
- Lets me run in what i think is 2nd or 3rd gear only.
- Loud clicking in dash (can't pin point)
- CEL comes on
- Gauges go crazy (according to the clicking)
- I shut off motor and 1- Wont start (wont recognize that is in in park, have to put in Neutral) OR 2- Starts but all previous symptoms resume.

Short term solution
- I Disconnect both poles on battery. Wait about an hour and connect both poles. Starts like nothing ever happens. Runs PERFECTLY SMOOTH for about a month then it happens again.

What I have done so far
- New Battery
- Tranny serviced.
- New plugs and wires.

I just want to be clear... when the service lights are not on, the vehicle runs like new! One mechanic told me i need a new transmission. Unacceptable.

Next step is the Stealership... which I really don't want to do.

 

[bnjalal]

Hope Im not spamming, and to be honest I didn't read except the first few posts on the first page, and the last two. Anyway, may I suggest that you check your brake light switch ? ( sorry if this was mentioned before ) I'm having similar issues and over here (somewhere in the middle east)

I noticed getting those lights and chimes at random times when holding the brake pedal constantly for some time like at a red light stop, then it started getting worse, turning the vehicle off and on fixed it until a few stops, disconnecting battery didn't help
(hard or rough transmission shifts included) until I noticed that when I press the brake pedal the red lights won't light up and rarely, I cant shift out of park until I tap the brakes a few times

So I kinda know whats the issue ( cheap chinese obd scanner just shows tps error and went away after cleaning throttle body which is also related somehow )

Hope that this helps someone and save a few bucks or please accept my apologies if this was mentioned before

 

[bnjalal]

Hope Im not spamming, and to be honest I didn't read except the first few posts on the first page, and the last two. Anyway, may I suggest that you check your brake light switch ? ( sorry if this was mentioned before ) I'm having similar issues and over here (somewhere in the middle east)

I noticed getting those lights and chimes at random times when holding the brake pedal constantly for some time like at a red light stop, then it started getting worse, turning the vehicle off and on fixed it until a few stops, disconnecting battery didn't help
(hard or rough transmission shifts included) until I noticed that when I press the brake pedal the red lights won't light up and rarely, I cant shift out of park until I tap the brakes a few times

So I kinda know whats the issue ( cheap chinese obd scanner just shows tps error and went away after cleaning throttle body which is also related somehow )

Hope that this helps someone and save a few bucks or please accept my apologies if this was mentioned before

Ok, so I replaced that brake light switch at the pedal and things went back to normal again, transmission shifts better now but the oil is burnt, gonna flush it and drop the pan for a new filter and hope it can survive another year or two, good luck everybody !

 

[ronnyballgame]

I have the same thing going on. Replaced the brake light switch but no change. Too cold to clean the throttle body myself. Going into shop Monday

 

[benj]

FYI, I just had this happen to my 2007 Tahoe: stabilitrak warning (random/intermittent), power issues, check engine light, hard shifting from 1-2nd gear. Took it in and had the spark plugs replaced and it runs like new. Seems this is tied to lots of things but wanted to share my experience--hopefully it's relatively inexpensive fix for you guys that like to fix your own and the ones like me that don't have that technical knack.

 

[Yoandy]

[QUOTE = "Brougham, post: 230266, member: 3924"] Mi 07 Yukon desarrolló recientemente un problema interesante, mostrará aleatoriamente un mensaje de advertencia de "Service Stabilitrak", "Control de tracción desactivado" o "Service Stabilitrak". Si bien se muestra esta advertencia y solo mientras se muestra, cambiará muy fuerte de 1ra a 2da marcha, el cambio es lo suficientemente difícil como para que si estoy acelerando con fuerza mientras hago esto, en realidad hace chirriar los neumáticos. (Ahora he estado evitando la aceleración brusca).

Estoy tratando de averiguar si esto es un problema dentro del sistema TC / Stabilitrak que hace que la transmisión cambie bruscamente, o un problema de transmisión que hace que aparezcan los mensajes de advertencia.

¿Alguien se ha encontrado con esto antes?

I had a local transmission shop that I've used for years, look at it quickly and they're stumped, no errors from the control modules other then that the Stabilitrak was disabled.

I'm going to start by checking all my wheel sensor wiring this weekend, if I don't find something obvious I guess I will have take it back into the shop for them to tear into.

Any suggestions as to what would cause this? Perhaps problem areas I should look into?

(I've searched the forum and could not come up with anything specific, just different trans problems causing a similar error message on an older model)[/QUOTE]

 

[duworm]

I am glad I found this thread. My 2007 Yukon with 148000 miles problem started with a instant really hard 1 to 2 shift, all the stable drive dummy lights came on along with the check engine light. Engine started running rough, hard steering, and the problem would come and go. I had all of the issues discussed in the thread above. A crap load of codes (over 40) showed up and every transmission sensor was showing failed. Interesting, not all of the codes were transmission related. They included misfire on all cylinders, O2 sensor failure, throttle body position failure Shaft position sensor failure and several others. There was no sign of a cascading failure or any common issue among all the codes. Above all, it was the really hard shifting that bothered me the most. Made me think I might need a new transmission. I read about old or bad trans fluid discussed several times above. My first thought was how silly. But before I started replacing all the sensors and checking for the multitude of transmission electrical wiring that might be faulty, I gave it a try. It worked. Holly cow did it work. All the transmission problems went away, engine ran smoother, shifting was smoother than before. I cleared all the codes and drove for 50 miles. I have not had any codes since. Even my wife noticed how much smoother the engine ran.

Thanks again to the guy that posted that changing the trans fluid worked for him.