Rough Idling w/ Warning Lights - Only Happens in Winter

[ViralVonDoom007]

Since I've had my Sonic, the only time I've had issues with the car is during the winter times. I bought the car at the end of November of 2011. So, only within a month did I experience problems.

Primarily on first starts. Last year, I had cranking issues on first starts, along with the rough idling, the engine light flashing with the stability control light solidly on. I would immediately turn the vehicle off, wait several seconds and turn in on again, and the car runs fine and dandy with no problems at all. I did take into the dealer for the problems and all they did was clean the fuel injectors and told me to use only their "top-tier" gasoline, to which I had and continue to do so.

Spring and summer time came around, the car ran smoothly and fine. No problems at all. Then, winter came around again...

I've experienced the same problems listed above, only without the cranking issue on first starts. The cranking no longer a concern but all the others are. When I took it into the dealer again, they told me they've found that I had a misfire at some point 1500 miles previous from the time brought it in, to which they said it was odd the engine light came on at such a delayed time. So they fixed that and told me to perhaps use a lower octane fuel (I've always, always used premium fuel and never had problems with the octane until this car).*

So I started using mid-grade fuel. And no noticeable difference, only that now the engine light randomly and solidly comes on, on certain ignitions. And all I've been told is that the premium fuel is still working its way out of the engine as it burns and told me to give it some more time for the mid-grade fuel to works its way through the system. It's been almost 3 weeks and still have those intermittent issues. Given that time, the mid-grade fuel has had more than enough time to work itself through the fuel system. I've taken it in a couple more times with the engine light warning light, they've found nothing wrong with the car and have only turned off the engine warning light.

Sorry if its long winded...

 

[$ub$onic]

What engine ? And if they say nothing is wrong then get a code reader and see what the code is yourself and go from there

 

[ViralVonDoom007]

It's the 1.8L engine. LS sedan auto. I have a co-worker who has one and had him check it out and nothing shows up. Autozone does that also, and they've found nothing showing up either.

 

[$ub$onic]

That is extremely odd my 1.8 is smooth even at 0 degrees and I do not use top tier gas. I would keep after the dealer. That is unacceptable for a new car

 

[ViralVonDoom007]

Yea, I've asked others for opinions as well. I've been told that it could be defect/faulty spark plugs, the temperature sensor, or the EGR solenoid. So the next time I can get it in, I'll ask them to look into those. But again, if they didn't find anything it's doubtful they'll find anything now. I'd like to have someone else to look into it but don't want to void the warranty either.

 

[$ub$onic]

Well of they Dont want to fix the problem now so what's the point of having the warranty

 

[gsxr1000]

Since I've had my Sonic, the only time I've had issues with the car is during the winter times. I bought the car at the end of November of 2011. So, only within a month did I experience problems.

Primarily on first starts. Last year, I had cranking issues on first starts, along with the rough idling, the engine light flashing with the stability control light solidly on. I would immediately turn the vehicle off, wait several seconds and turn in on again, and the car runs fine and dandy with no problems at all. I did take into the dealer for the problems and all they did was clean the fuel injectors and told me to use only their "top-tier" gasoline, to which I had and continue to do so.

Spring and summer time came around, the car ran smoothly and fine. No problems at all. Then, winter came around again...

I've experienced the same problems listed above, only without the cranking issue on first starts. The cranking no longer a concern but all the others are. When I took it into the dealer again, they told me they've found that I had a misfire at some point 1500 miles previous from the time brought it in, to which they said it was odd the engine light came on at such a delayed time. So they fixed that and told me to perhaps use a lower octane fuel (I've always, always used premium fuel and never had problems with the octane until this car).*

So I started using mid-grade fuel. And no noticeable difference, only that now the engine light randomly and solidly comes on, on certain ignitions. And all I've been told is that the premium fuel is still working its way out of the engine as it burns and told me to give it some more time for the mid-grade fuel to works its way through the system. It's been almost 3 weeks and still have those intermittent issues. Given that time, the mid-grade fuel has had more than enough time to work itself through the fuel system. I've taken it in a couple more times with the engine light warning light, they've found nothing wrong with the car and have only turned off the engine warning light.

Sorry if its long winded...

first that is a idot suggestion.... High octane is not a higher powerful fuel it just has a higher flash point to prevent dentonation and if the car is warmed up at all then no way it could matter.....


2nd my 1.4 has never had any warning light but time to time it does go rough when idleing then revs up to 1100 rpm like it is searching for the slowest idle spped

 

[Leverus]

When I took it into the dealer again, they told me they've found that I had a misfire at some point 1500 miles previous from the time brought it in, to which they said it was odd the engine light came on at such a delayed time. So they fixed that and told me to perhaps use a lower octane fuel (I've always, always used premium fuel and never had problems with the octane until this car).

That's not right. A few of us run premium (93 here) in our 1.8s with no issue at all nor should it be a problem in the first place. It sounds like that dealer has no idea what they're dealing with. I'd go to another if I were you.

 

[Swordsmith]

I have to admit I do experience something similar to this, and it is directly connected to running high octane fuel in cold weather. I can run high octane in warm weather no problem, I can run low octane in cold weather no problem, but high octane in cold, I get rough starts and have to keep the idle high for a little while or I can stall.

High Octane for me is 105 and low is 93... but the point is I do get a similar situation.

My problem is likely that high ethanol E85 has difficulty atomizing at low temps. Could be you are having a similar problem; I believe pump gas (at any octane) contains more ethanol in winter blend than in summer? If this is the case switching octanes wouldn't help; you could though try finding a station which has zero alcohol gasoline.

If this clears up the problem, you still want someone to fix it because this is not a normal complaint.

 

[sx sonic]

That is most unfournate ViralVon. If there is another. Dealer nearby perhaps give them a try?

Octane should not affect cold start (as long as its within reason) so that awnser sounds like the dealer is out of ideas and throwing far fetched suggestions because of it. The sonic is also devoid of an EGR system (VVT takes care of that).

The other suggestions are possible, a fair # of people on this forum have had improperly gapped spark plugs from the factory which can cause idle issue. If its something you are comfortable doing checking them would a good idea and takes no more than 15 mins. (Gap= .035)

I hope you get your problem resolved! Shouldn't have to deal with this in a new car

Swordsmith- you gotta quit refering to your E85 as high octane lol, its gonna throw people off (it got me breifly in another post haha). While you are correct its a peaches to apricots comparison. From my cursory knowledge of E85 in cars is that it is a common complaint to have cold start issues. Also just busting your chops ;=

 

[Leverus]

The other suggestions are possible, a fair # of people on this forum have had improperly gapped spark plugs from the factory which can cause idle issue. If its something you are comfortable doing checking them would a good idea and takes no more than 15 mins. (Gap= .035)

I just want to point out that the correct factory gap is .028. .035 is where people with these engines put them due to a discrepancy between service manuals, but the larger gap does seem to run a little better, so go for it if you feel comfortable.

 

[Eric Smit]

I just want to point out that the correct factory gap is .028. .035 is where people with these engines put them due to a discrepancy between service manuals, but the larger gap does seem to run a little better, so go for it if you feel comfortable.

.028 is only necessary if you're tuned.


-Eric Smit

 

[Leverus]

Yeah, I'm just putting that out there in case someone doesn't want to exceed the factory specs when they check their gap.

 

[Eric Smit]

fair enough.


-Eric Smit

 

[HADES20]

There's nothing wrong with it mines an 1.8 and it clatters when cold on its first start then stops and sometimes the check engine light will come up when started but goes off but mine runs funny on premium so that could be it

 

[Leverus]

I've never had any roughness let alone a CEL with mine. I'd say that's definitely a problem there.

 

[$ub$onic]

My 1.8 has never did this on any octane at any temp.........

 

[lattyd]

I will confirm (even though i have the 1.4T) that I had the same exact issue.... cold starts... would get rough idle then CEL would come on... unfortuantely, my brother had my OBDII Reader everytime it happened... however I have yet to have an issue since i pulled the plugs, re-gapped to .028.

 

[$ub$onic]

My plugs are also gaped to 35 so that might be y mine doesn't do it

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

ViralVonDoom007, I apologize for any inconvenience these issues may have caused you. I have documented the multiple reoccurring systems you've experienced with your Sonic and definitely understand how frustrating this is.

If you would like for me to research further, reach out out to the current dealership to discuss the issues so we can schedule another appointment, I would be glad to do so. Please private message me your last 8-digits of your VIN, first and last name, current mileage and the involved dealership.

Hopefully you get these issues worked out soon.



Vanessa
GM Customer Service