UPDATE Bulletin #16-NA-175: GM no longer replacing Torque Converter for Shudder - Page 5

BRKGBAD · 06-11-2019, 01:35 PM

*Editing for privacy*

BRKGBAD · 06-11-2019, 01:44 PM

*Editing for privacy*

Giri · 06-11-2019, 04:29 PM

I just spoke with my dealership and Chevy and they're refusing the fix the shudder on my car without me paying out of pocket, since I am 7000 miles out of warranty.

I started a thread about it here:
https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showt...6#post10541966

I just filed an NHTSA complain and ask that you file on too if you're having the A8 shudder. Chevy fully intends on screwing us - why should we not have working transmissions?

sal11585 · 06-26-2019, 04:51 PM

I heard if you drive it in manual mode it works perfectly. I don't know first hand because I own a manual

Frayles · 06-29-2019, 08:29 AM

I just had my 2016 SS go through the technical service bullet fix with regards to the fluid flush and refill under the power train warranty. My car now drives like a whole new animal and the transmission shifts fast and smooth with no more shudder. I’m not worried about my TQ converter having any damage as the car only has about 3800 miles on it.

John J · 08-05-2019, 01:14 PM

I have heard that today there will be a new software update available (for Europe)

John J · 10-11-2019, 11:50 PM

Two weeks ago my Chevrolet dealer carried out a software update of the motormanagement but unfortunately that did not help. I am now "desperate" and do not know what else I can do. I have read somewhere that tuners maybe can solve the problem but I can't find a tuner anywhere in Belgium or the Netherlands that can do it at the moment.

The only thing I can do is start the car, wait 30 seconds until the speed is just below 1000 and then drive away but I thinks this is not quit normal. But until there is a solution, there is nothing else I can do.

A pitty because I was so happy with my Camaro in the beginning....

John J · 03-07-2020, 09:52 AM

A few months later.....

Problem is still not solved but i am still getting more and more information.

I am told that the engine in Europe is an existing Opel (Vauxhall) engine which is tuned for the Camaro 2.0 turbo.
It are probably misfires because the catalyst is cold.
Unfortunately GM is not cooperating and my garage is not allowed to go into the software to adjust some settings, trying to solve the problem. Probably caused by the catalyst heating which means that the misfires are caused because the pre heating of the catalyst is not working properly.

In 3 weeks my garage gets a visit from GM Europa and he will try to convince them to give him permission for adjusting the software.

So..... Still waiting for a solution.

Giri · 03-10-2020, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John J

A few months later.....

Problem is still not solved but i am still getting more and more information.

I am told that the engine in Europe is an existing Opel (Vauxhall) engine which is tuned for the Camaro 2.0 turbo.
It are probably misfires because the catalyst is cold.
Unfortunately GM is not cooperating and my garage is not allowed to go into the software to adjust some settings, trying to solve the problem. Probably caused by the catalyst heating which means that the misfires are caused because the pre heating of the catalyst is not working properly.

In 3 weeks my garage gets a visit from GM Europa and he will try to convince them to give him permission for adjusting the software.

So..... Still waiting for a solution.

The shudder is coming from the transmission, not the engine. It's actually the torque converter.

John J · 03-20-2020, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giri

The shudder is coming from the transmission, not the engine. It's actually the torque converter.

But how does that explain the sound of missfires in the exhaust and "holding back" of the engine?

John J · 07-26-2020, 12:32 AM

Finally. After 3 years of abandonment by Chevrolet / GM, the problem is solved. It was a software "problem". A tuner has re-programmed the cold start (catalyst heating). It's a shame that Chevrolet / GM did not want to solve the problem while it was just a simple software adjustment. Unfortunately, that did cost me money (about $ 700), but I am happy that the problem has been solved finally after all these years. Again: a missed opportunity for Chevrolet / GM. I don't know if my next car will still be a Chevrolet / GM .....

AutoX · 08-02-2020, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John J

But how does that explain the sound of missfires in the exhaust and "holding back" of the engine?

The catalyst warmup routine won't make it misfire, it will just run a little rougher for about 15 seconds. It is designed that way.

Corbu · 08-13-2020, 12:43 PM

After 60,000 KM / 37,000 miles of trouble free A8 driving, I finally got the shudder and in a big way, the whole car shakes when the TC is slipping. I thought I was lucky and got a car with no A8 shudder issues, but it seems the A8 will develop a shudder at some point no matter what.

I've read about the new fix with the fluid flush and no TC change anymore, but I find it hard to believe in my case a new fluid flush will be enough without changing the TC. I hope GM doesn't give me a hard time when it comes to changing the TC too....

cellsafemode · 08-13-2020, 04:25 PM

The basic V6 (not 1LE) doesn't have the extra trans cooling so the fluid stays in the 180+ range a lot, reducing the issue significantly ....though it will likely still occur eventually.

You likely had shudder long before it started shaking the car and didn't notice it. Seems unlikely it would go from 0 to "Shaking the car". If you catch it early, the torque converter will be fine. If you dont, they even say in the bulletin that it may have to be replaced.

You wont know if you caught it early enough until they do the flush with the new fluid and see.

I had a vibration i could feel in the pedal but my passenger couldn't. Knew right away what it probably was (low to mid 30k mileage). Changing the fluid resolved the issue fully. I also changed the filter and cleaned out the pan ...it had quite a lot of metal sludge (at least in my opinion it was a lot).

A fluid change is really quite painless (but if you do it yourself, it's a multi-step process that takes a few days to fully complete). Cost you a little more than a hundred bucks if you have the right equipment already. Save yourself the trouble of having a dealer holding your car hostage before determining if a new converter is necessary.

ps. it's also a good excuse to get the equipment if you dont have it.. Quickjack is awesome.
Also, there is an additive that does work if you absolutely can't do a flush right away Lubegard 63032 ...add the right amount and the issue should go away as it mixes. It's a temporary fix so you dont continue to hurt the converter until you do a real flush.

06-11-2019, 01:35 PM	#57
BRKGBAD Drives: my feet Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 73	Editing for privacy Last edited by BRKGBAD; 01-10-2023 at 03:19 PM.

06-11-2019, 01:44 PM	#58
BRKGBAD Drives: my feet Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 73	Editing for privacy Last edited by BRKGBAD; 01-10-2023 at 03:18 PM.

06-11-2019, 04:29 PM	#59
Giri Soon to be Millionaire Drives: Blue 2016 Camaro Join Date: May 2016 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 379	I just spoke with my dealership and Chevy and they're refusing the fix the shudder on my car without me paying out of pocket, since I am 7000 miles out of warranty. I started a thread about it here: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showt...6#post10541966 I just filed an NHTSA complain and ask that you file on too if you're having the A8 shudder. Chevy fully intends on screwing us - why should we not have working transmissions? __________________ I run a Drone Service Company in Gainesville, FL - Please visit my site and take a look

06-26-2019, 04:51 PM	#60
sal11585 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS 2ss Nightfall Gray Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: New york Posts: 149	I heard if you drive it in manual mode it works perfectly. I don't know first hand because I own a manual __________________ ACS front spoiler, rear spoiler, side skirts and rock guards (gloss black). Real carbon fiber dash insert, real carbon fiber gear bezel, GM dark tail lights, Gm black badges(Emblems and ss) Powder-coated gloss black factory 5 spoke split wheels Roto fab Biggulp CAI Full paint correction with cquartz finest ceramic coating Whipple 2.9 ARH Long tube headers with High flow cats 1le sway bars F&R BMR Upper and lower trailing arms Hurst short throw shifter

06-29-2019, 08:29 AM	#61
Frayles Drives: 2020 Cadillac CT5 V and 87 Buick GN Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Shore, MA Posts: 139	I just had my 2016 SS go through the technical service bullet fix with regards to the fluid flush and refill under the power train warranty. My car now drives like a whole new animal and the transmission shifts fast and smooth with no more shudder. I’m not worried about my TQ converter having any damage as the car only has about 3800 miles on it. __________________ 2SS, Nightfall Gray, A8, MRC, NPP, NAV, Blk Bowties Gen 6 1100 01-22-2016 2000 03-22-2016 3000 03-25-2016 TPW 4/11 3400 04-01-2016 3800 04-08-2016 - Built 4200 04-08-2016 6000 04-20-2016 Gen 5 1100 04-22-2009 2000 05-15-2009 2500 05-19-2009 3000 05-21-2009 3400 06-10-2009 3800 06-18-2009 4150 06-18-2009 4200 06-19-2009 4800 06-29-2009 4B00 06-30-2009 5000 07-10-2009!!!

08-05-2019, 01:14 PM	#62
John J Drives: 2017 Camaro 2.0 Turbo Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Belgium Posts: 57	I have heard that today there will be a new software update available (for Europe)

10-11-2019, 11:50 PM	#63
John J Drives: 2017 Camaro 2.0 Turbo Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Belgium Posts: 57	Two weeks ago my Chevrolet dealer carried out a software update of the motormanagement but unfortunately that did not help. I am now "desperate" and do not know what else I can do. I have read somewhere that tuners maybe can solve the problem but I can't find a tuner anywhere in Belgium or the Netherlands that can do it at the moment. The only thing I can do is start the car, wait 30 seconds until the speed is just below 1000 and then drive away but I thinks this is not quit normal. But until there is a solution, there is nothing else I can do. A pitty because I was so happy with my Camaro in the beginning....

03-07-2020, 09:52 AM	#64
John J Drives: 2017 Camaro 2.0 Turbo Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Belgium Posts: 57	A few months later..... Problem is still not solved but i am still getting more and more information. I am told that the engine in Europe is an existing Opel (Vauxhall) engine which is tuned for the Camaro 2.0 turbo. It are probably misfires because the catalyst is cold. Unfortunately GM is not cooperating and my garage is not allowed to go into the software to adjust some settings, trying to solve the problem. Probably caused by the catalyst heating which means that the misfires are caused because the pre heating of the catalyst is not working properly. In 3 weeks my garage gets a visit from GM Europa and he will try to convince them to give him permission for adjusting the software. So..... Still waiting for a solution.

07-26-2020, 12:32 AM	#67
John J Drives: 2017 Camaro 2.0 Turbo Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Belgium Posts: 57	Finally. After 3 years of abandonment by Chevrolet / GM, the problem is solved. It was a software "problem". A tuner has re-programmed the cold start (catalyst heating). It's a shame that Chevrolet / GM did not want to solve the problem while it was just a simple software adjustment. Unfortunately, that did cost me money (about $ 700), but I am happy that the problem has been solved finally after all these years. Again: a missed opportunity for Chevrolet / GM. I don't know if my next car will still be a Chevrolet / GM .....

08-13-2020, 04:25 PM	#70
cellsafemode Drives: 2016 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: California Posts: 3,491	The basic V6 (not 1LE) doesn't have the extra trans cooling so the fluid stays in the 180+ range a lot, reducing the issue significantly ....though it will likely still occur eventually. You likely had shudder long before it started shaking the car and didn't notice it. Seems unlikely it would go from 0 to "Shaking the car". If you catch it early, the torque converter will be fine. If you dont, they even say in the bulletin that it may have to be replaced. You wont know if you caught it early enough until they do the flush with the new fluid and see. I had a vibration i could feel in the pedal but my passenger couldn't. Knew right away what it probably was (low to mid 30k mileage). Changing the fluid resolved the issue fully. I also changed the filter and cleaned out the pan ...it had quite a lot of metal sludge (at least in my opinion it was a lot). A fluid change is really quite painless (but if you do it yourself, it's a multi-step process that takes a few days to fully complete). Cost you a little more than a hundred bucks if you have the right equipment already. Save yourself the trouble of having a dealer holding your car hostage before determining if a new converter is necessary. ps. it's also a good excuse to get the equipment if you dont have it.. Quickjack is awesome. Also, there is an additive that does work if you absolutely can't do a flush right away Lubegard 63032 ...add the right amount and the issue should go away as it mixes. It's a temporary fix so you dont continue to hurt the converter until you do a real flush. Last edited by cellsafemode; 08-13-2020 at 04:43 PM.

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