Car left untouched for 19 days. Help???

[High Magnitude]

Update: so he actually had to recalibrate the throttle body. If you guys care ill pm you the codes there were but this thread should die now that it's fixed. And I don't trust the dealers around me. They are very shady unfortunately and I've had issues with them in the past.

[Olddudesrule]

Well, I'm glad you trust these guys, but charging you $85-$90 to "reset" the codes is paying an hours worth of labor for him to hook up an OBDII scanner, and "clear" the codes. Rip off IMHO. You could do that yourself, and pay for the scanner for that much. Then you would have one for future use as well. Most AutoZones and the like will do that for you for free as well.

As far as using the scanner goes, be careful about replacing parts based on the code, and what a bunch of shadetree mechanics are telling you. It's a great tool for helping diagnose problems, but you can spend a lot of unnecessary $$ chasing the cause. Clearing a code will often make the symptoms go away, short term or long term, depending on what the problem is, For instance, I threw a P0130 code in my motorhome (8.1L Chevy) which shows Bank 1, Sensor 1 (O2 sensor) voltage problems. The engine would loose power, but it felt as if it was a transmission shifting issue, as it wouldn't shift in and out of OD correctly, or at all. I cleared it and drove another 300 miles with not issues. Came back next trip, same thing. Cleared it again, good for another 200 miles. Ended up changing the upstream O2 sensor, and good to go so far.

[LCPLPunk]

What does recalibrate the throttle body mean? Is that something Camaro's are prone to?

I have to say that sounds sketchy.

If I were you, I would buy one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Oxgord-Scanne...ds=obd2+reader

Then you can read codes and clear them.

I live in Hawaii and had my vehicle shipped here. When I picked it up off the boat it had a check engine light. I freaked out and ran it over to an auto place who charged me $25 to read the code. What was the code? My gas cap was loose.

Most places in Hawaii would charge about $100 to check the code and do diagnostics, but thankfully I knew a cheap place. Moral of the story, buy a $15 reader and do it yourself.

[High Magnitude]

Originally Posted by Olddudesrule

Well, I'm glad you trust these guys, but charging you $85-$90 to "reset" the codes is paying an hours worth of labor for him to hook up an OBDII scanner, and "clear" the codes. Rip off IMHO. You could do that yourself, and pay for the scanner for that much. Then you would have one for future use as well. Most AutoZones and the like will do that for you for free as well.

As far as using the scanner goes, be careful about replacing parts based on the code, and what a bunch of shadetree mechanics are telling you. It's a great tool for helping diagnose problems, but you can spend a lot of unnecessary $$ chasing the cause. Clearing a code will often make the symptoms go away, short term or long term, depending on what the problem is, For instance, I threw a P0130 code in my motorhome (8.1L Chevy) which shows Bank 1, Sensor 1 (O2 sensor) voltage problems. The engine would loose power, but it felt as if it was a transmission shifting issue, as it wouldn't shift in and out of OD correctly, or at all. I cleared it and drove another 300 miles with not issues. Came back next trip, same thing. Cleared it again, good for another 200 miles. Ended up changing the upstream O2 sensor, and good to go so far.

So I wasted my money? he said he recalibrated the throttle body if it makes any difference. I was wrong to say he cleared the codes.

[LCPLPunk]

Well if the car is running now without issues then no. But for the future, get a scanner and do research on here before running to a shop. Online forums like these have TONS of answers to common problems. Now, not every problem will be solved, but lots are.

[camguynj]

Originally Posted by High Magnitude

Update: so he actually had to recalibrate the throttle body. If you guys care ill pm you the codes there were but this thread should die now that it's fixed. And I don't trust the dealers around me. They are very shady unfortunately and I've had issues with them in the past.

No such thing as recalibrating a throttle body It consists of a sensor that can only be replaced not calibrated. Did he mean he re-calibrated the VTC which is something that can be done?

[Iron Lung Jimmy]

Originally Posted by High Magnitude

Yeah VTC

If you would have said this in the first place we would have told you to take off the stupid VTC, clear the codes, and live happily ever after.

[BLU DUCE]

Junk that dam VTC. And I wouldn't have one even if it's free. IMO.

[MrChrisLS3]

Originally Posted by High Magnitude

So I wasted my money? he said he recalibrated the throttle body if it makes any difference. I was wrong to say he cleared the codes.

Well, since you really didn't know anything about the situation, and if they got you going again, then no, you didn't really waste your money, in that regard. However, it was money you really didn't need to spend. Keep a copy of the calibration instructions in your glove box, and invest in a code reader. Of course, don't forget the folks on this forum, chances are somebody has been there and done that.

I have had the reduced power with my VTC a couple of times. I found that simply recalibrating, using the installation process got it going again. The last time it happened was over a year ago. And I wouldn't drive without one unless I absolutely had to.

[splashlog48]

Originally Posted by spike III

Junk that dam VTC. And I wouldn't have one even if it's free. IMO.

I Second that !!!!

[vinman]

Look into a ported throttle body instead if you want snappier throttle response

[Egon]

Originally Posted by Iron Lung Jimmy

If you would have said this in the first place we would have told you to take off the stupid VTC, clear the codes, and live happily ever after.

I read OP's description of the problem and I said to myself "he probably has a VTC" wasn't disappointed.

[bleavens1962]

How long was the VTC installed, without even knowing your car I will guess between 3 and 5 months ? VTC works for some , but numerous issues in the past (I had one for 3-4 months before it crapped out). You couldn't pay me enough to put one back in my car

[christianchevell]

Oh no the throttle booster is the best thing since sliced bread, OP should have seen this coming. LOL he had to recalibrate the stupid VTC by reading Chinese he might have well as said. You should have unplugged it cleared the codes at a good local auto parts store for free, drove a while then plugged the "wonderous" VTC back in if you have not learned they can be problematic for some owners more than others, really these always made me wonder if those that have sprint booster the brand have the same problems that the Chinese ones have by what ever name.