AWD Shuts Down @ Cold Start

[Buick Customer Service]

Hi jimt,

Please let me know if you would like assistance in scheduling a dealership appointment! I would be happy to help. You may send a private message at any time with your full contact information, VIN, mileage, and name of preferred dealership.

Jessica
Buick Customer Care

Today i had the message error appear also, this is the 2nd time for me, once when i went over an uneven road the error came on, thought it was because one tire went off the road possibly, but today after starting car and backing out of garage the error dinged and stated AWD off, however it cleared about 15 seconds later, i was on snow and AWD worked just fine , not sure what to think maybe a call to the dealer is necessary:

 

[NormT]

5,500 mileson the clock on a 17F start up(5F low over night) tire pressures were 36, 37, 37, and 39(sitting in the sun) and no AWD codes. The best mpg 17-28F temperatures is 31 mpg @ 60 mpg, 120 miles daily. That includes snowy donuts with the traction control off.

 

[jimt]

Hi jimt,

Please let me know if you would like assistance in scheduling a dealership appointment! I would be happy to help. You may send a private message at any time with your full contact information, VIN, mileage, and name of preferred dealership.

Jessica
Buick Customer Care

Hi and thank you . I took my vehicle to local dealer yesterday, they reprogrammed rear differential clutch, no problem so far;; however they told me if AWD off alarm returns, they would then replace that clutch assembly per discussion with Buick tech group

 

[NormT]

I finally got the AWD off warning. It was only 28F so I took a quick detour to a snow covered parking lot to if the rear wheels were off anf it was. It it plowed forward when I goosed it from a stop and tried turning. So I cycled the engine and it worked fine.

 

[XavDC]

This just happened to me today too. Took delivery of a 2014 Encore in mid-November. Today I started it up in the morning (about 34F) with a little snow on the ground. Drove a few feet and the AWD-off warning came on with 4 beeps. Drove another 100 ft and the warning went off. I probably would have thought it was an anomaly if I hadn't seen the postings on here. We'll see if it comes back the next time there is some snow on the ground. No way the AWD could've been overheating from a cold start.

 

[08Bluesky]

So the jury is still out on if it is a software (reprogram) or hardware (clutch pack) fix??

I sure hope Buick is jumping on this.

 

[NormT]

This morning it was 10F and no error messages showed up. I forgot to check the tire pressures.

 

[Buick Customer Service]

Hi and thank you . I took my vehicle to local dealer yesterday, they reprogrammed rear differential clutch, no problem so far;; however they told me if AWD off alarm returns, they would then replace that clutch assembly per discussion with Buick tech group

Okay, great! Happy to hear they could be of assistance. Please do keep us posted if the situation continues.

Jessica
Buick Customer Care

 

[Buick Customer Service]

Hello all,

I see a few people have been experiencing this concern, and we would be happy to assist further! You may send us a private message with your name, address, phone number, VIN, mileage, and name of preferred dealership at any time, and we would be happy to look into the situation for you.

Jessica
Buick Customer Care

 

[Dadof4Girls]

My daughter had this issue, the first time on October 11, 2013. It happened two more times in October.

She has not had it again since then. She lives in Houghton, MI, and they have received more than 100 inches of snow this season already, and loves the AWD.

 

[PearlAWD]

No issues as of this morning (12/30) when the wifey went off to work.

Temps: -15 F (air temp)
Odometer of: 1998

So it must be a hit or miss situation with some owners..

 

[Flysquasher]

Hello all,

My wife purchased her Encore late in November. We have had the warning twice. Once about a week ago and once tonight. We have purchased this vehicle so my wife did not have to worry about weather on her long drive (160 mile round trip) to work. This warning light is just another issue we have had with the Encore. We love the car but hate the issues we have had in just a short time.

🙁

 

[NormT]

Mine did it once this winter. It has been down to -14F and it has been working flawlessly. Actual the Encore has been a delight to own for the first 7,000 so far.

 

[Buick Customer Service]

Hi Flysquasher,

I am sorry to hear of the concerns you are continuing to experience. We would be happy to get you in contact with your local dealership for further technical assistance. Let us know at any time!

Jessica
Buick Customer Care

Hello all,

My wife purchased her Encore late in November. We have had the warning twice. Once about a week ago and once tonight. We have purchased this vehicle so my wife did not have to worry about weather on her long drive (160 mile round trip) to work. This warning light is just another issue we have had with the Encore. We love the car but hate the issues we have had in just a short time.

🙁

 

[jaystoy]

Geez, add one more to the list. Our 2013 Encore just did it tonight for the very first times. Chimes and message right after backing out of the driveway. I pulled over and shut the car then on again. The message came on again. Re-cycled it again and message did not come back on. First time, 7500 miles. Weird thing is that just yesterday we had the car in the dealer for it's very first oil change and tire rotation. Could tire rotation have done something. I am not happy
Jay

 

[Buick Customer Service]

Sorry to hear this, Jay! Please let us know if we can be of assistance. We would be happy to contact your local dealership for further technical advice.

Jessica
Buick Customer Care

Geez, add one more to the list. Our 2013 Encore just did it tonight for the very first times. Chimes and message right after backing out of the driveway. I pulled over and shut the car then on again. The message came on again. Re-cycled it again and message did not come back on. First time, 7500 miles. Weird thing is that just yesterday we had the car in the dealer for it's very first oil change and tire rotation. Could tire rotation have done something. I am not happy
Jay

 

[Rioux]

Here are the technical fix issued by GM

Rear Differential Control Module Reprogramming
February 20, 2014
The All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) indicator may be illuminated or an AWD Disabled message may be displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC) on some 2013-2014 Encore and Trax (Canada only) models equipped with AWD.

Code 173 may be set. Code 173 is not a DTC, but an action taken by the Rear Differential Control Module. If any DTCs are set, follow the diagnostics in the appropriate Service Information.

This condition may be caused by the software in the Rear Differential Control Module (RDCM). Updated Rear Differential Control Module software has been released to address this condition. If Code 173 is observed, reprogram the Rear Differential Control Module using the latest available software in TIS2Web.

 

[jaystoy]

Thanks for the tech fix. I have printed and will bring with me to the Dealer. Is it safe to assume that when the illuminated message goes off, then the awd is fully functioning again? Because I have not seen the message since

 

[NormT]

Thanks for the tech fix. I have printed and will bring with me to the Dealer. Is it safe to assume that when the illuminated message goes off, then the awd is fully functioning again? Because I have not seen the message since

Just cycle the ignition off to on, obvoiusly with car parked, and it will all work again.Here is the .pdf from sandyblogs.com http://enterthezone.net/techlink/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/january_techlink_2012.pdf

 

[Rioux]

I found this new message... update 24March 2014, The updated calibration will be available in TIS2Web soon. Probably the updated calibration doesn't fix the problem ... the **soon**, I don't like :-(

The All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) indicator may be illuminated or an AWD Disabled message may be displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC) on some 2013-2014 Encore and Trax (Canada only) models equipped with AWD.



Code 173 may be set. Code 173 is not a DTC, but an action taken by the Rear Differential Control Module. If any DTCs are set, follow the diagnostics in the appropriate Service Information.



This condition may be caused by the software in the Rear Differential Control Module (RDCM). Updated Rear Differential Control Module software is being developed to address this condition. If Code 173 is observed, It’s necessary to reprogram the Rear Differential Control Module. The updated calibration will be available in TIS2Web soon.



- Thanks to Bob Kerzka



Updated March 24, 2014