[kb3gup]

Hey guys!

'13 Impala been having trouble with really high fuel trim numbers. Car ran ok today with surprising low trim numbers 13's and 14's (low for it). It sat it the driveway for a few hours, when I went out to start it I had a solid check engine light with a P018C code, this is code for fuel pressure sensor circuit low voltage. I tried turning the engine of and on a few times, then finally clearing it, not ideal I know, but I've gotten a few random one time codes and never see them again so I took a chance on this. But after 3 clears it kept coming right back up, so it's real. Anyone have any experience? I've read so far in alldata it can be the fuel pump control module or the fuel pressure sensor? Is either more common? And can either be attempted by a backyard mechanic? I know the module will need to be programmed but could I just take that to my GM dealer friend? Then install it myself? Or does it get programmed while installed in the car? Any and ALL help on this would be greatly appreciated!! Also is the car safe to drive until I get it to a shop?? For right now it's parked until I hear otherwise. Hopefully once this is fixed it will fix my high trim numbers :hope::hope: Thanks!!!

 

[kb3gup]

Hey guys.

So I thought I'd post the video from YouTube of my car being fixed by Ivan from pine hollow auto diagnostics (motoyam82). This was the dealers fault when they "fixed" my transmission, causing this time bomb. Ivan did a great job finding a repairing this!

Though today while driving home cylinder 3' plug fouled on me after I ran it hard getting it onto the highway, though I don't think that has anything to do with his repair. I think when I did my induction service the chemical may have done something to weaken the plugs? I also replaced bank 2 and not bank 1 a few months ago. So I picked up 6 new plugs and have my fingers crossed that all will be fixed when I replace all the plugs!

Ivan has been out for the high fuel trim numbers, he was the one who found the oil filler neck vacuum leak. I do however disagree with his diagnosis that "if the check engine light isn't on it's fine. Just thought I'd share. Enjoy!!
https://youtu.be/LDTXS5so4uQ

 

[kb3gup]

Beautifully done. I am glad to see the person that did your repairs does more then just find a code and replace a part. I do know sadly it can add up and others think that doing what they did is a waste of time AKA money. But I am sorry Doing what they did made sure it was repaired and not just toss parts at it...

About CEL and Stored codes... The problem is there can be stored codes that may and or may not come up. I think in most cases it would be wrong to jump on a code that isn't at fault for a CEL when the code that is stored may really only be there off the fault of another issue. CEL has run cycles and or other computer set parameters to set a CEL. There are some people that would want to take your money and say that xyz is wrong and lets change out this part because you will only come back in the next week or month for another CEL anyway... In some cases that isn't true...

Looking over the Video I have tried to convey just how they did the repair as to what others should do looking for a system fault before they go and toss loads of parts at a car... To me the person that did your repair, appears to care about the work they do, Wants to make the cars owner happy about the end result. I am not sure about the Pending codes or back history of codes from an old issue. It could be the person that did the repairs feels it might be related to the repair just done and figures it needs some more time to clear up.. About doing normal tune up. In some cases people wait and that can make other issues with the car. If a car manual says xyz should be done every so many miles I would do it just to keep the car happy... When the car starts to get unhappy it may not always show us. By the time it does it could be costly to repair in my thought in the matter...

Glad they were able to repair the problem with Real world work and not just tossing loads of parts to find out that isn't the problem. Sure the Scanner they are using can't be bought by just the normal home owner, well they could but I just mean in terms of cost... Paying 3 or 4k for a scanner and they use it the way it was intended kind of tells me they care about what they are doing and must do it for a living to have good equipment...

Thank you for sharing Hope the other problems you are having is solved soon..

James

I agree James.


Also I highly recommend his channel if you want to see some great videos! He does amazing work!!! And south main auto in NY they have a YouTube channel too, those are my favorite guys, I'm lucky to have Ivan here!!

It was just weird to have a p0300 and 460 misfires on #3 right after he did the repair, but like I said it was after I hammered on the throttle, and I think the induction service chemical from last week weakened the plugs. (I put 3/4 the can in and was going to put the other 1/4 can in when the fuel code tripped and Ivan came out). So I still have to put the rest of the can in which I might do on the old plugs, then change them to new ones and see how that does.

 

[kb3gup]

GREAT video!! It's so interesting to watch people that know what they're doing and have the right tools for the job!

I wonder if your fuel trims will slowly fall back to "normal" now? Maybe the fuel trim issue was somehow related to this intermittent fault (being that they're both fuel related to a point?). Then again, maybe it has nothing to do with it. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those people that truly know what they're doing! I'm learning, but I have a long way to go (and will probably never get there, to be honest).

I must say - you've definitely had your share of issues with this car! I sure hope things settle down for you. How many miles are on your car again? And what transmission problem did you have? It's a shame that this was all caused by the dealership when they did the transmission repair. And you *know* that they would have never admitted (or accepted) that they're repair was to blame for this issue!!

Sent from my A1160 using Tapatalk

GREAT video!! It's so interesting to watch people that know what they're doing and have the right tools for the job!

I wonder if your fuel trims will slowly fall back to "normal" now? Maybe the fuel trim issue was somehow related to this intermittent fault (being that they're both fuel related to a point?). Then again, maybe it has nothing to do with it. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those people that truly know what they're doing! I'm learning, but I have a long way to go (and will probably never get there, to be honest).

I must say - you've definitely had your share of issues with this car! I sure hope things settle down for you. How many miles are on your car again? And what transmission problem did you have? It's a shame that this was all caused by the dealership when they did the transmission repair. And you *know* that they would have never admitted (or accepted) that they're repair was to blame for this issue!!

Sent from my A1160 using Tapatalk

As of parking it tonight there's 82,598 miles on the clock, about time she's due for that senior citizen discount lol. The dealer (stockers Chevy) replaced something with the 5th pressure switch solenoid in the transmission, I'd have to dig the paperwork out to know exactly what it's called. When you look at the face of the tranny from the top of the engine looking down inside the hood where the dipstick lives, that whole black "face" was new when I got it back, and who knows what else underneath the car, obviously enough to damage the wiring for the fuel system. Also what got me about that repair (at the dealer) was when I drove away, I immediately plugged my scanner in (which I carry in the car) and got the tranny up to temp, then pulled into the car wash right next to the dealer and checked the fluid per the alldata service manual. I wasn't surprised to see it was 1/2 a quart over. Those cars have to be checked between a certain temperature range or the reading isn't accurate, I don't know if it's just the 8th gens or all of them? But the tech definitely over looked it. I knew to look for this because my friend at the sister gmc dealer did the same thing and said it's easy to over look, it took me 10,000 miles driving 1/2 quart over to catch his mistake! So I immediately called stocker Chevy and told them what happened, they responded with a nasty bark of "our transmission guy has 30 years experience doing this, he wouldn't make a mistake like that!!!" I asked if I could bring it back up and show them what I was talking about, they reluctantly agreed. After plugging in their tech2 and confirming the fluid temp the tech checked it with the nasty service advisor standing right there. He looked up and said "I over filled it by half a quart". Being a gentleman I politely said I would stand right there while he fixed it and be on my way no hard feelings, the service advisor had smoke coming out of his ears.... I should've written a letter. And after that and now this I think I will call Chevy. I know Ivan has his PA inspection license and I think he's a ASE master tech, so with the whole thing being on film maybe I can get Chevy to talk to their people about being more careful.

I finished the can of seafoam induction service on the old plugs, let it sit an hour and ran the heck out of it. It backfired a few times when I slammed on the gas. And it said I had 210miles till empty on a almost full tank, averaging 11 miles to a gallon!! 1 and 2 random misfires different plugs. After changing the plugs, she ran like a top! Pulled hard, averaged 24 mpg with 358 miles till empty and no back fires. I figured the plugs were so bad from the induction chemicals and the carbon being broken up that it just ruined them? Though I've seen worse to physically look at, but who knows!

Fuel trims looked a lot better surprisingly! But we'll see how that goes over time. Next problem. Cylinder 1 plug had wet black aroundthe bottom where the electrode connects to the plug, that round base. when I pulled it out. It's been like that before and I've just ignored it because I plain and simple don't want to deal with that, after everything else I've been through! But I need to before the powertrain warranty expires and I'm paying out of pocket for new rings. I'll pull that plug in a week and see how bad it looks. And go from there..

I'm glad you guys enjoyed the video!! I consider that my 15 minutes of fame!! Ivan is great I highly recommend him if anyone is in PA and close to Centre county, he's definitely worth it! And not that expensive! I also think he travels!! If you're in NY I recommend South Main Auto repair. I've met Eric and he's another Ivan. So that's the story.