StabiliTrak Problems with Camaro (help please!)

[Subrosian]

I have a 1SS M6 with about 4000 miles on it. About 6-8 times now, my car has come up with the "Service StabiliTrak" error and lit up the dash with lights. (See picture). The first time it happened, I was still doing my break-in period (I was driving it pretty calmly at the time). I brought it into the service center and they replaced some harness saying that is what was caused the error.

It seems that after that occasion, I get the error about once every week or two. I bring it back to the shop and they keep saying that they need to replicate it (this is the 4th time in all). They take the car and drive it around the block a few times. This time, I let them have it for going on 3 days now and today they said that to better replicate it, the service manager needs to take it home and back (they assured me that they do it sometimes to reproduce issues).

Another issue I have is that my car is throwing "multiple misfire" error codes, its happened about 4 times now. They say that the "Service StabiliTrak" error actually is being caused by the misfires.

I drive my car hard, but I don't use competitive mode or spin the tires excessively.

Here are my questions:

1) Why doesn't the "Service StabiliTrak" error actually keep an error (the only way I could prove I was getting them was by taking a picture with my phone).

2) Would the misfires actually cause "Service StabiliTrak" errors?

3) What would cause misfires and how can they diagnose the underlining cause?

4) Has anyone else heard of the service manager taking a car home to try to reproduce issues?

5) What do I do when they hand me back the car for the 4th time without any actual repair done to it?

Thanks in advance!

[b20]

sounds like its a 1ss thing mine does it to
sounds like we drive about the same way

[Alain]

i only have an answer for questions 4 and 5.

#4 - no
#5 - I would make a scene !!!

[asroka]

I don't have this problem. I have a 2SS manual and I drive like a rock star (i.e. fast and with a narrow margin of error.) Don't tell the insurance company I said that ;-)

There are lots and lots of things that cause misfires (http://www.2carpros.com/first_things..._run_rough.htm) It's troubling in such a new car though. I have heard that the electronics on these things are on par with the space shuttle.

Are you putting cheapo gas in it? The V8 requires 91 or higher. GM claims that the computer will retard the spark to compensate for lower octane (Most modern cars can do that) but I wouldn't chance it. If I could find 93 around here I'd use it.

As for the mechanic driving it home that is actually a really good sign. It means that they are willing to go the extra mile to find out what is wrong. The bad ones will just try to tell you that you're making it up.

Depending on the laws in the state you are in, if you keep having trouble you might get them to take that one back as a lemon. Then you can get a 2SS and not drive it like a wuss. That's working for me :-D

[BLACK10]

Originally Posted by b20

sounds like its a 1ss thing mine does it to
sounds like we drive about the same way

i have a cam installed and every once in a while ill have the random misfire code and service stabilitrac pop up. i have a code reader/code clearer, and there is no code thrown when the stabilitrac light comes on and the onstar report doesnt even detect a problem . it did this even before the cam install. random misfire is no big deal imho. sometimes bad gas sets it off ive noticed.


i run the dog sh*t out of my car too

[Ject]

I know this may sound stupid to ask but.... Have you or the service people actually Disconnected the negative battery cable for 5-6 minutes (and when i say 5-6 minutes I literally mean time it exactly to 5 minutes)

Should reset all the Modules. You'll then have to redo the window re-learn process.

This same thing appears for those of us who 'tune' our cars and have to reset the modules. Beyond this I am unsure why the Error would be showing other then faulty parts or very possibly just faulty error reporting.

On a side note, as other mentioned about the missfire, Be sure you are using 91 Octane. Also you may wish to try a fuse pull for your ECM as you disconnect the battery.

Again i know what im saying sounds like basic knowledge but hey.. some service people just don't know any better... I taught my service people some things i learned from here on the forums.

[Subrosian]

I use 92-93 octane only and only from reputable gas stations.

[HeavyD]

The stabilitrak fault is caused by the misfire condition. One of the ways the car regains control is by reducing engine power during a stabilitrak even. Once the ECM recognizes a misfire the engine can no longer be relied upon, but is still part of the whole stabiltrak system. This is why the stabilitrak warning comes up. Intermittent issue with the misfire is the diagnostic direction the tech should be taking. Loose plug wires, partially disconnected coil-pack connectors, anything like that. Could also be a bad plug.

[SS Mike]

Take a look at my THREAD and see if there are any similarities. I had something like this happen, and I'm hoping it's not the same issue for you. Good luck!

[usa1camaro1969]

It looks like my LS is having the same issue, although I will need to make an appointment to get it checked out. Mine has been coming on since the car had 400-miles and at first I just blamed the rims I'd had put on it as I had a set of 18" Cragars in the garage and they fit right on. They didn't have the sensors and the lights came on. Last weekend I had the sensors installed and I've got them working properly, but the service lights are still coming on. I hadn't thought much of it, as when the service lights aren't on the brakes have a shimmy like the ABS is kicking in and when the service lights kick on it feels normal. The service lights come on about after 1/2 mile of driving after the car is started every time. I've had Onstar run a diagnostic but they said it isn't showing any codes.
Paul

[Mindz]

I just had this issue fixed in my car. There's 2 service bulletins related to it. It turns out, there was a wire connected to one of the wiring harnesses that had rubbed against another one and caused a nick in the insulation. They pull that wire out, reinsulate it and route it so that it doesn't rub. Took me almost a month to find it, but it was fixed under warranty (I have a supercharger on the car, but it wasn't the cause, so the warranty still stood.

If anyone is still having this issue, I can grab the actual SI document numbers. I just got back from the dealership and it looks like my car is fixed for good.

[BRAVO29ER]

Just installed new plasma drl bulbs. Got this same message...coincidence or related?

[jtzako]

If I try to start my car but dont turn the key enough (it kicks but doesnt quite start) I'll get that message until I start it the right way.

Other than that, I havent seen that come up.

[toasterfires]

Originally Posted by jtzako

If I try to start my car but dont turn the key enough (it kicks but doesnt quite start) I'll get that message until I start it the right way.

Other than that, I havent seen that come up.

I know its a totally different beast but I got that message on my 2LT after doing the "Key Flick" method of starting the car for a couple of days. I stopped flicking the key (I hold the key in the start position... like a normal car) and I never saw the message again.