2002 GM cars stalling when hot

Greg Reimer 7376 · 01-17-2011, 12:09 PM

Anybody got a fix for 2002 GM cars stalling when hot? Car in mind is a 2002 Chev Cavalier, 2.2 4 cyl, when it happens, its in stop and go freeway traffic, the yellow TRAX light comes on, the engine goes into a reduced power mode, the trans shifts harsh and late, no Check Engine light,so there is no DTC, but if you get to the side, shut it off, restart after a minute or two, you can continue. It's erratic. The engine computer was changed, but that didn't fix it. It's a car at work we're trying to troubleshoot before we shoot it,although my daughter had one a few years ago that started doing it as well. Doesn't act like the torque converter clutch solenoid of 10-12 years ago,those were 125 C transaxles, this is a 440-T4 with the overdrive.I understand there is a fix for this if we can find it.It's got to be something electrical thats fairly simple. ('>')?

Ed Wright · 01-17-2011, 12:50 PM

Usually it's gunk built up around the throttle blade. I use Berryman's B12 Chemtool, an old tooth brush, and a shop towell. have somebody hod the pedal down while you clean it. Will run rough and stink first time you start it.

k.pascoe · 01-17-2011, 03:15 PM

Greg,

I just repaired the exact problem with my girlfriend's 2001 Cavalier 2.2L 4 speed OD, and yes it was the converter lock up solenoid. Its a big chore, but you do not have to drop the whole front carage to replace it. (As shown in the GM shop man.) Just get the whole side cover lose and you can get to the lock up solenoid in the bottom location of the valve body.

Greg Reimer 7376 · 01-17-2011, 08:26 PM

Makes sense. The computer only processes data from sensors, then redirects commands to engine controls, plus diagnoses and displays problems. Replacing it is like shooting the messenger for bringing bad news. This car doesn't set a code, but the TCC solenoid is just that-a solenoid,not a sensor. The computer directs it, it doesn't read it. We'll try one and see what happens. The earlier cars used to stick the converter clutch in the applied position,and the effect was like stopping a stick car without depressing the clutch at the stop light.This one doesn't do that. We'll try and see.

Ed Wright · 01-17-2011, 10:24 PM

Saw that a lot years ago, have not seen a late model do that. Used to be sticky solenoids. If the computer is commanding it on it will show on a good scan tool. Should show ""TCC On", or "TCC Off".

k.pascoe · 01-18-2011, 11:33 AM

Greg,

Make sure you use/get the GM/Delco replacement, you'll see it has a darker blue band on the new switch, it's is a updated version. I found when the old switch would start messing up, the scanner's torque reading coming from that sensor would be very strange. (numbers that made no sense)

01-17-2011, 12:09 PM	#1
Greg Reimer 7376 VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora,Calif. Posts: 1,132 Likes: 172 Liked 698 Times in 216 Posts	2002 GM cars stalling when hot Anybody got a fix for 2002 GM cars stalling when hot? Car in mind is a 2002 Chev Cavalier, 2.2 4 cyl, when it happens, its in stop and go freeway traffic, the yellow TRAX light comes on, the engine goes into a reduced power mode, the trans shifts harsh and late, no Check Engine light,so there is no DTC, but if you get to the side, shut it off, restart after a minute or two, you can continue. It's erratic. The engine computer was changed, but that didn't fix it. It's a car at work we're trying to troubleshoot before we shoot it,although my daughter had one a few years ago that started doing it as well. Doesn't act like the torque converter clutch solenoid of 10-12 years ago,those were 125 C transaxles, this is a 440-T4 with the overdrive.I understand there is a fix for this if we can find it.It's got to be something electrical thats fairly simple. ('>')?

01-17-2011, 12:50 PM	#2
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: 2002 GM cars stalling when hot Usually it's gunk built up around the throttle blade. I use Berryman's B12 Chemtool, an old tooth brush, and a shop towell. have somebody hod the pedal down while you clean it. Will run rough and stink first time you start it. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

01-17-2011, 03:15 PM	#3
k.pascoe Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fenton, Missouri Posts: 107 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 2002 GM cars stalling when hot Greg, I just repaired the exact problem with my girlfriend's 2001 Cavalier 2.2L 4 speed OD, and yes it was the converter lock up solenoid. Its a big chore, but you do not have to drop the whole front carage to replace it. (As shown in the GM shop man.) Just get the whole side cover lose and you can get to the lock up solenoid in the bottom location of the valve body.

01-17-2011, 08:26 PM	#4
Greg Reimer 7376 VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora,Calif. Posts: 1,132 Likes: 172 Liked 698 Times in 216 Posts	Re: 2002 GM cars stalling when hot Makes sense. The computer only processes data from sensors, then redirects commands to engine controls, plus diagnoses and displays problems. Replacing it is like shooting the messenger for bringing bad news. This car doesn't set a code, but the TCC solenoid is just that-a solenoid,not a sensor. The computer directs it, it doesn't read it. We'll try one and see what happens. The earlier cars used to stick the converter clutch in the applied position,and the effect was like stopping a stick car without depressing the clutch at the stop light.This one doesn't do that. We'll try and see.

01-17-2011, 10:24 PM	#5
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: 2002 GM cars stalling when hot Saw that a lot years ago, have not seen a late model do that. Used to be sticky solenoids. If the computer is commanding it on it will show on a good scan tool. Should show ""TCC On", or "TCC Off". __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

01-18-2011, 11:33 AM	#6
k.pascoe Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fenton, Missouri Posts: 107 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 2002 GM cars stalling when hot Greg, Make sure you use/get the GM/Delco replacement, you'll see it has a darker blue band on the new switch, it's is a updated version. I found when the old switch would start messing up, the scanner's torque reading coming from that sensor would be very strange. (numbers that made no sense)