Hi Guys,

I need your advice. Here's what happened:
Model: 2006 Cobalt SS/SC STOCK

I have the erratic/rolling idle surges when I stop at traffic lights, stop signs etc. My rpm's jump between 1500 and 500 a couple of times and then stabilize. I found a TSB regarding this issue after many hours of research. The solution is a re-flash of the PCM which a dealer is supposed to do.

Yesterday I took my car to a dealer regarding this issue. As usual, he failed to replicate it. I mentioned the TSB to him and he said that he'll look into it. He called me back after some time and said that he looked at the TSB and it does not match my VIN#, so therefore he cannot fix the issue via the TSB. I told him that the TSB is for a 2006 Cobalt SS/SC and that is exactly what I have. He argued that they have a special VIN# system for TSB's and that my car does not match the VIN numbers listed under that TSB. So i picked up my car today without any progress.......


Is he right? What should I do?

Here's the TSB:
Subject: Intermittent Erratic and/or Rolling Idle Surge When Hot - Reprogram PCM - keywords concerns DTCs
no performance #PIP3732A - (06/14/2006)



Models: 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

2006 Saturn Ion Redline

with 2.0L Engine (VIN P - RPO LSJ)




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PIP3732 was superseded to mention updated calibrations released on TIS version 6.5 to address this concern.
Please disregard PIP3732


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
On rare occasions, an intermittent erratic idle or rolling idle surge may be experienced with the vehicle
at a stop. Upon inspection, NO DTCs will be present. If there are DTCs that set when this happens, this PI does not apply.

Recommendation/Instructions:
If this concern is encountered, reprogram the PCM with the latest calibrations found on TIS version 6.5,
which was broadcast to dealers on June 12, 2006. The updated calibration is titled "New calibration to
address idle surge condition also contains diagnostic enhancements for DTC P0171". This calibration, or
any that follow, is designed to address this concern. Refer to Service Programming System (SPS) in SI for
reprogramming procedures. As always, make sure your Tech 2® is updated with the latest software version.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is
resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.



GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to
inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could
assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety
instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that
the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for
information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION


© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved

 

they should just be able to reflash it and move on

 

If the engine code for your car is "P", which is what the TSB clearly states, then it should be reflashed.

Find another dealer.

 

So what should I do? He's got a firm stand on his decision.

 

bring it to another dealrer

 

You just need to go over the dealers' head to the GM regional rep. I've never done it but I know I've seen the contact info somewhere on this forum, do a quick search.

 

where in jersey u at?

 

Cherry Hill/Maple Shade area. I took it to Mall Chevrolet.

 

Of course he can not duplicate it. Thats what my dealer says all the time about issues. Check it out....it says:

Condition/Concern:
On RARE occasions, an intermittent erratic idle or rolling idle surge may be experienced with the vehicle
at a stop.

Just one of the reasons why I'm starting to get pissed off at GM dealers. They are not here to help you in any way it seems at times. As a driver we know our cars best. We drive them everyday and know what issues and problems occur.

 

jsut put it this way, i got the same reflash on my car, and it still does that, the idle jump will never go away, they did mine no questions asked

 

I somewhat agree. Personally, I think you should call the dealership back and speak w/ whoever the manager is about it to make sure they're not gonna do it. Then, you ask for contact information to the regional manager (as stated above). If your right, your right. If they're right, they're right. Hopefully the local manager can pull the stick out of his ass and just do the damn thing. Otherwise it's going to take some effort on your part to get it resolved. It's not like your asking for a new engine or something. I'm guessing the reflash is gonna cost the dealer upwards of 10 minutes to have done. Just stand up and say something.

 

Take it to another dealer. After they fix it call the Mall and ask talk the Manager. Let them know that the other dealership fixed it. Also let them know that in the future, the other dealer will get all of your oil changes, tire purchases, out of warranty repair and new/use car purchases.

I dont understand why so many dealerships dont want peole's business...

 

They don't want to get screwed out of warranty work.

They have to pay the tech. regardless if GM reimburses them or not.

 

And how much time is that tech gonna take to reflash an ECU? 10 minutes?

 

go to another dealer,this one has obviously been reprimanded by GM for other reasons unkown,thus making them difficult to deaL with,you have a problem it should be fixed.

 

Book time. It's all about book time.

If the book says 1 hr. the tech gets paid 1 hr. regardless if it actually takes the tech 10 minutes or 10 hours.

 

Sounds more like private party costs. ibtheygetpaidhourlyorsalaryatbest

 

The dealer DOES check your VIN for TSB's. All TSB's are not necessarily needed by every car. Depending on when your particular car was built, the problem covered by the TSB might have already been corrected. If you read the last paragraph of the TSB, this is clearly stated.
I don't know if this is the case with your car, but it is possible.
If you PM me your VIN, I can check if your car is cover by this TSB.
Dennis

 

So I filled out a form at GM Customer Care website and some lady called me and said that she will call the dealership to find out what is going on.

So she called me back today and told me that she couldn't find the bulletin and said that she couldn't do anything.

Then she told me to take it to another dealership.....

Anybody from NJ/PA had this issue? Which dealership did you guys take your car to?

 

Warranty LTG (book time) will never pay more than 1 hr for a re-learn. it takes the tech less than 10 mins, because all he does is hook up the 'tech 2/candy module' and lets it sit for 1 hr.

Get a new dealer, or call your DSM.
Alot of dealers have been slapped for too much warranty work for the amount of cars they actually work on. - Dont forget - dealers are independants that just bill GM for the cost, which means there are some crooked ones out there.

 

I have that problem but my car is a 2.4

I think they won't do much if I take it in.. meh