2004 SLE stalls shifting into reverse
 

My 2004 SLE stalls sometimes when shifting from drive to reverse and sometimes the engine just dies. This has happened both with the engine cold as well as after long drives. Also I have noticed that while shifting between drive and reverse (like when parking in a tight spot) the steering sometimes gets very hard even if the wheel is not fully turned. I am not sure if these two problems are related.

I have taken the car to the dealer several times (under warranty) - last time they changed the "crankshaft positioning sensor" but the problem only seems to get worse.
Any ideas are welcomed!

i know there has been a similar problem posted on the forums here.....off to search

Ask your dealer if they have applied this TSB update to your car:

10006623 - 01835: 3.8L L36 ENGINE- LOW IDLE OR GARAGE SHIFT STALL.

If they haven't done this yet then it will likely solve your problem.

Rob.

robb, the TSB number you gave is not a valid number. Not for TSB or Document numbers.

Darn, I must have wrote it down wrong when I had it done 2 years ago, but I'm sure about the title and my dealer found it in their database right away, so maybe Jasenjo can ask his dealer to search the database for a TSB titled Garage Shift Stall.

My car has run like a champ ever since they applied it.

I found the tsb at www.carcomplaints.com and then looked it up in the NHTSA web site ( NHTSA ID #10006623) also. I'm taking these two printouts to the dealer.

Thanks for your help.

I finally took the car to the dealer (again!) and after having it for nearly 3 weeks told me they couldn't find anything wrong (I actually tested the car with the technician and it didn't do anything) but guess what - very next day engine died again when trying to park it. They also said they could not find any TSB with the number I gave them. Someone now tells me it could be the neutral-park switch.
To make matters worse, the car now seems to be having the infamous steering wheel intermediate shaft problem (clunking noise) at only 7K miles. To think I had the same problem with a 2000 Impala which I sold to buy this car! This is the last GM car I will ever buy!

Don't let a few little problems scare you away from GM. If you are even considering a import as a next car, consider this, yes they have great warranties, BUT if you do not follow them exactly as mentioned, you can lose your warranty, and when things break, you will be paying out of the ass for parts, as they are very expensive compared to american cars. [/endrant]

Many 00-05 owners have these problems, had them fixed and some have never had to worry about them again. Besides, GM does have the highest quality american cars currently.

The Bulletin ID # is PI01835

Check out this thread. At first I thought it was YOU that posted on this forum because the problem is so identical. :lol:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t277118.html

I wish I could remember as well but my dealer fixed my car when it had the same problem. No Charge ;)