A sudden loss in power

[SmoothSonic]

I started my car this morning and drove it about 100ft. I stopped at a stop sign. Then drove off. At about 30 ft, there was a sudden drop in power. The engine and transmission indicator lights turned on in the dashboard and I heard a warning chime. I turned the car off and then on. The problem stayed. I shifted into 1st gear and was able to drive back home at a very slow speed. The outside temperature was around 39F and the car has about 45,000 miles.

When I get home from work, I'll check to see what the trouble codes are saying. I'm thinking water in the fuel line or a bad throttle sensor.

Has anyone in here had this happen to them?

 

[Natesriv]

what's your oil life monitor at?

 

[SmoothSonic]

The trouble code is P2101
I googled it and it says:
Possible causes -
Faulty Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) module
Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) module harness is open or shorted
Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) module circuit poor electrical connection

Read more: https://www.autocodes.com/p2101_chevrolet.html

I guess I'll look around for all these parts and check for any loose electrical connectors. If nothing looks unusual, then I'll contact chevy customer support and have it towed to the nearest chevy dealership.

Maybe a mouse ate the wires again, like what happened with my oxygen sensor wire a few years ago.

My oil life is 51%

 

[SmoothSonic]

Whoops! I see that someone else posted about this in 2014. I wasn't able to find this posting when I was using the Tapatalk app earlier in the day.
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/1-4l-turbo-sonic-engine-discussion/16568-code-p2101.html

Someone suggested to clean the throttle body. I'll see if mine needs a good cleaning.

 

[Natesriv]

all seems to point to that section. also ensure your air intake hose isn't torn or has a hole in it.

 

[JBScat]

So I guess it wasnt a Smooth Sonic that day.

Sorry. Couldnt resist.

 

[SmoothSonic]

So I guess it wasnt a Smooth Sonic that day.

Sorry. Couldnt resist.

haha :banana:
right! it was just a sleepy sonic.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

I started my car this morning and drove it about 100ft. I stopped at a stop sign. Then drove off. At about 30 ft, there was a sudden drop in power. The engine and transmission indicator lights turned on in the dashboard and I heard a warning chime. I turned the car off and then on. The problem stayed. I shifted into 1st gear and was able to drive back home at a very slow speed. The outside temperature was around 39F and the car has about 45,000 miles.

When I get home from work, I'll check to see what the trouble codes are saying. I'm thinking water in the fuel line or a bad throttle sensor.

Has anyone in here had this happen to them?

Hello SmoothSonic,

I regret to hear that you are experiencing concerns with your Sonic. Please know that our team is always available if you’d like any assistance with your concerns. Feel free to send us a private message at your earliest convenience.

Best,
Cecil J.
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[SmoothSonic]

So, after letting the car sit for about 36 hours, I decided to check the wires and air intake hose. They looked fine. I started up the car and it ran OK. So, I took it for a short test drive and it was working just fine. Even though it is working, I decided to go ahead and schedule a service appointment with my local dealership to have them inspect it to be sure everything is working. Being that I've already had an issue with this car breaking down on a highway back when my master cylinder hydraulic system failed at 16,400 miles, I don't want to run the risk of getting stuck on the highway in a snowstorm again.:blankface:

I didn't clear the trouble code so that the service department has something to go by.

 

[SmoothSonic]

final prognosis: opcorn:
The Chevrolet dealership looked over my car and determined that the throttle body needed to be replaced. They said the part was no longer covered under warranty since it's part of the emissions system and that warranty expired long ago. With that said, I decided to have my local mechanic perform the job, so I called up AAA and had the car towed over there.

The decision for this had nothing to do with the cost since I already paid a $160 diagnostic service fee at the dealership. With this, the cost equaled the same, although would've been lower cost if I never brought it to the dealership in the first place. So, my decision was based upon when the work could be completed. The dealership was swamped with broken cars and didn't have time to work on mine this week. My mechanic would have the part tomorrow and complete the service then.

Note: the dealership technician notes says that they recommend fuel service (valued at $189.95). I don't know what this means. And they recommend changing the air filter.

 

[$ub$onic]

Don't see how the TB would be considered emission

And don't fall for the fuel service

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk

 

[ChrisJ]

Don't see how the TB would be considered emission

And don't fall for the fuel service

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk

I don't see how my ignition coil was considered under the emissions warranty either, but it was.

Sadly, GM for some reason considers parts required for normal operation to be emissions related.

 

[$ub$onic]

I forgot about that



Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk

 

[donovanteetz]

So was your throttle body the issue? My car is doing the same thing every now and then. Don't know what to do


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Steelmesh]

The trouble code is P2101
I googled it and it says:
Possible causes -
Faulty Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) module
Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) module harness is open or shorted
Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) module circuit poor electrical connection

Read more: https://www.autocodes.com/p2101_chevrolet.html

I guess I'll look around for all these parts and check for any loose electrical connectors. If nothing looks unusual, then I'll contact chevy customer support and have it towed to the nearest chevy dealership.

Maybe a mouse ate the wires again, like what happened with my oxygen sensor wire a few years ago.

My oil life is 51%

Annnnd, why did you take it to the dealer when you had the code P2101? The code suggested the Throttle Body, cost of diagnosis at the Stealer is probably close the twice the cost of a new Throttle Body.

 

[Steelmesh]

So was your throttle body the issue? My car is doing the same thing every now and then. Don't know what to do


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He had a P2101 code, if you have the same code you probably should replace the TB... or clean it as someone suggested (where it is gumming up and sticking).