Sputtering and Stuttering at Idle

[NewTekBuzz]

I wanted to say that I had the same issues with my 11 Turbo and was informed by my father (former GM service manager who also had a 11 regal, but it was NA) that there was a service bulletin and solution regarding exhaust/cam solenoid (two possible issues) combined with a software upgrade, and fixing it would resolve the hesitation issue and improve my gas mileage. I did take it to the dealer and they found a code and told me it was either A) oil change sensor needed to be reset or replaced or B) exhaust solenoid. It turned out to be exhaust solenoid (I'll bring the exact part number and labor code in from the glove box and share it with you all tomorrow). They changed it a few weeks ago and INSTANTLY I felt a HUGE difference in throttle response and turbo kick from a dead stop or when accelerating at low RPMs. The car is actually fun to drive all the time, not just at higher RPMs or after it's warmed up. As for gas mileage, I haven't cycled through an entire tank of gas yet to check gas mileage (and I've been a little lead footed with the NEW engine 😉 ).


This has already been mentioned in this post, way earlier, but I think it's worth repeating. Get this checked out, it definitely made a difference for me. Insist that the dealer look into it.

Were you gonna share that code with us?

 

[MikeC725]

Guys, I talked with my buddy last weekend. He is still very busy and is having a hard time trying to get anyone to take the "initiative" to take a look at this. I also talked with my Customer Care Manager at Sellers Buick/GMC and asked if their electronics guru tech would be able to do the cadalytic converter test. He said he would not be able to do it. So I think I might have another avenue I'm going to give it a try....I'll keep posting here.

 

[GOMAB]

Thanks for the updates..

Just a thought, the sputtering and rough idle seems more prevalent when coming to a complete stop or taking off; this is just a hunch could this issue be attributed to a fuel pump problem due to the fuel shifting back and forth when stopping and starting.. Not a mechanic but wanted to put that out there.. Thoughts? We can all agree something is up for a brand new car to have this issue..

 

[Buick Customer Service]

Hello..

New to the forum and my 2012 Buick Regal GS is experiencing the same thing, I only have 3600 miles on it.. Does anyone have an update to share on this issue.. My dealer is unable to duplicate but something is definitely wrong..

Thanks..

Hi GOMAB!

Welcome to the forum! I am sorry to hear you are experiencing this issue with your vehicle. I would be happy to assist in a resolution. If you could send a private message to me with your name, address, phone number, VIN, vehicle mileage, and name of involved dealership, I can look further into your situation. Thank you!

Jessica
Buick Customer Care

 

[Buick Customer Service]

Guys, I talked with my buddy last weekend. He is still very busy and is having a hard time trying to get anyone to take the "initiative" to take a look at this. I also talked with my Customer Care Manager at Sellers Buick/GMC and asked if their electronics guru tech would be able to do the cadalytic converter test. He said he would not be able to do it. So I think I might have another avenue I'm going to give it a try....I'll keep posting here.

Hi MikeC725!

Yes, please keep us posted, and let me know if further assistance is needed! I am happy to help.

Jessica
Buick Customer Care

 

[mikeg]

Hi GOMAB!

Welcome to the forum! I am sorry to hear you are experiencing this issue with your vehicle. I would be happy to assist in a resolution. If you could send a private message to me with your name, address, phone number, VIN, vehicle mileage, and name of involved dealership, I can look further into your situation. Thank you!

Jessica
Buick Customer Care

Jessica,

Since this is a prevalent issue on many Regals, maybe its time for someone at GM to address this issue in either a recall or technical service bulletin and address the forum formally. This can't be good press for GM. I have had this issue on my 2011 T07 about six times since I bought my car used in January. It's intermittent and I think it's related to how much fuel is left in your gas tank (1/4 or less). I also thought maybe it was related to the car searching for the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[MikeC725]

Ok, it's been a while so I thought I'd just post a little update on this subject.

I've talked to my one buddy that works at GM, he said he's tried to talk to the software guys about this and they won't listen to him. Great....

I just found out that another friend at church just started working at GM, he is an Engineer in the engine group, he's working on the 3.6 twin Turbo motor. I talked to him about it, he said he would ask around for me.

I also have a relative that works in Milford. I talked to him over Thanksgiving, he said if I would have let him known about it earlier, he would have brought his computer home to hook up to the car. The problem there is he lives 45 minutes from me(no traffic). So I'm going to try and hook up with him after work one day.

So I didn't forget about this, I'm still pushing.

 

[TC400]

Ok, it's been a while so I thought I'd just post a little update on this subject.

I've talked to my one buddy that works at GM, he said he's tried to talk to the software guys about this and they won't listen to him. Great....

I just found out that another friend at church just started working at GM, he is an Engineer in the engine group, he's working on the 3.6 twin Turbo motor. I talked to him about it, he said he would ask around for me.

I also have a relative that works in Milford. I talked to him over Thanksgiving, he said if I would have let him known about it earlier, he would have brought his computer home to hook up to the car. The problem there is he lives 45 minutes from me(no traffic). So I'm going to try and hook up with him after work one day.

So I didn't forget about this, I'm still pushing.

Thanks for trying!

 

[GOMAB]

Thanks MikeC725, for the update and your efforts.. My problem still exist @13,000miles along with the brakes issue listed in the sticky.. Something has to give... 😡

 

[wierz11]

Mine just started having this problem, and I'm 26k miles in. Let us know if you find anything, Mike!

 

[LINY]

GM Customer service hasen't dropped the ball here they never picked it up. Shameful. I dread the day I need dealersip service.

 

[MikeC725]

I talked to my buddy this morning. He is going to find how to force the cat test. Then we'll hook it up to the GS, hopefully in the next couple days.

 

[T07]

I talked to my buddy this morning. He is going to find how to force the cat test. Then we'll hook it up to the GS, hopefully in the next couple days.

I was looking thru Service Information and it looks like you cannot force it to run a Catalyst System Efficiency Test. It lists all the parameters that have to be meet for it to run and states to "meet them" to monitor the test.

So if you can get with someone with GDS then you can monitor the test, it will say when its active.

 

[Walt G]

I was looking thru Service Information and it looks like you cannot force it to run a Catalyst System Efficiency Test. It lists all the parameters that have to be meet for it to run and states to "meet them" to monitor the test.

So if you can get with someone with GDS then you can monitor the test, it will say when its active.

Again, since the stall happens at the same place every day, instead of forcing the test, just 'prevent' it by NOT meeting one of the entry conditions. I suggest unplugging the downstream oxygen sensor, which is primarily there to monitor catalyst efficiency. If it still stumbles at that same stop sign with the downstream sensor unplugged, it is definitely NOT the catalyst test causing the problem.

 

[MikeC725]

I was looking thru Service Information and it looks like you cannot force it to run a Catalyst System Efficiency Test. It lists all the parameters that have to be meet for it to run and states to "meet them" to monitor the test.

So if you can get with someone with GDS then you can monitor the test, it will say when its active.

Do you know what conditions need to be met to get the test to activate?

Again, since the stall happens at the same place every day, instead of forcing the test, just 'prevent' it by NOT meeting one of the entry conditions. I suggest unplugging the downstream oxygen sensor, which is primarily there to monitor catalyst efficiency. If it still stumbles at that same stop sign with the downstream sensor unplugged, it is definitely NOT the catalyst test causing the problem.

Unfortunately, it's in the teen's here, I'm not crawling under the car. Plus, mine doesn't do it every day, nor the same spot all the time. Thanks for the advise. If I owned or knew someone with a lift, I'd do it.

 

[MikeC725]

I just got a text from my buddy, he said that he should be able to force the test. The one guy he knows that will know how to do it is out for the rest of the year. So it looks like I'll have to wait a couple weeks.

 

[T07]

Do you know what conditions need to be met to get the test to activate?
.

Give him Document ID 2664482, this is the diag for P0420 for when the cat fails the efficiency test, but it talks about running the test.

 

[Dedupe]

I have this same problem well past 30K miles. Some of the reading I have done suggested it would be resolved after "break in" but I still have it.

This REALLY is not helping the brand at all. When I have coworkers in the car (Merc, BMW, Audi, Lexus, Caddy owners) and this happens at a light, they always ask... "What's wrong with your car?" so my only answer is... "It does that some times...". Really, you aren't winning any fans from passengers in my car.

I actually had a coworker tell me he really liked the GS and has been considering one after riding in mine. He has a 2004 BMW 3-Series he bought NEW and is looking to replace, but he mentioned the weird surging scared him. I don't blame him!!!

 

[bigtstylerGS]

Owner 2012 Buick GS still have not been able to pinpoint the sputter and almost stall of my vehichel at stop lights. Does not matter the temp, weather or how long its been running just does it for brief second. I work at the dealership, and they still have not been able to duplicate the occurence. And ideas???

 

[EnderWiggin]

Owner 2012 Buick GS still have not been able to pinpoint the sputter and almost stall of my vehichel at stop lights. Does not matter the temp, weather or how long its been running just does it for brief second. I work at the dealership, and they still have not been able to duplicate the occurence. And ideas???

Mine is starting to do this more and more too. I suspect it's the Transmission, I've got an Auto. In my case, putting the car in neutral, then back into drive takes care of the rough idle at stoplights. I have also noticed that auto shifting from 1-2 is slow to respond, which is awful when you're getting on it, and hit the limiter waiting for the transmission to shift. I assume my fluid level might be low/incorrect.