I have an 08 LTZ 3.6 that's having a mild shudder while idling. The best way I know to describe it is it's as if the engine is out of balance, if that can even happen. It's not a vibration, but "soft" shudder. It is worse when idling in "D"rive, such as at a stop light, than in "P"ark, but isn't at all noticeable during acceleration or cruising. There is no drop in RPMs or error messages in the DIC. I have looked through some of the threads here, but none of them seem to encompass my issue. I just bought this car a month ago and have it under the GMPP Major Guard Warranty, but I would like to be armed with a little knowledge of this issue in case the dealer tries to tell me they can't replicate it or claim it's normal. Thanks for the help guys!!!
Engine shudder in 08 LTZ w/ 3.6
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With the LTZ you get ACC - automatic climate control. It will run the AC compressor without turning on the AC light. You might be experiencing the extra draw on power when it kicks in. To test this theory, next time it shudders turn your fan knob to the "OFF" position to shut down ACC completely. If the shudder stops then it's the AC compressor. If not then that's one component/system you can eliminate as a suspect.
Well, the diagnosis and testing was free anyhow. Sorry it didn't pan out. We have a few members on here who are totally technical wizards. Once they make it to this thread they'll have some input for you.
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My old Malibu did the same thing, so did my G6 I had before. Both were 3.6's. Dealer told me on both occasions it was normal.
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If maintenance is up to date and there is no other driveability issue, I would have to say it is normal. In gear there is more load put on the engine which can be felt in a manner as you describe. My cars have done it and there is no issue with them. Engine vibrations are hard to completely isolate from the rest of the vehicle. If you feel it is an issue take it to the dealer and have a tech go for a ride with you so, if there is an issue, it can be noticed before it gets worse.
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Wow! I can actually say that this is one issue I have not had yet! Thank God! Time will tell since my car has low Mileage.
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bnzlva,
I completely understand that you want to be prepared with as much information as you can before you take your vehicle into the dealership. That is a smart way to look at this. Do you have any ideas as to when you are going to be taking your Malibu into the dealership? I look forward to reading an update as to what the dealership has to let you know about your vehicle.
Sincerely,
Michelle P., Chevrolet Customer Service
I completely understand that you want to be prepared with as much information as you can before you take your vehicle into the dealership. That is a smart way to look at this. Do you have any ideas as to when you are going to be taking your Malibu into the dealership? I look forward to reading an update as to what the dealership has to let you know about your vehicle.
Sincerely,
Michelle P., Chevrolet Customer Service
Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I'll be taking it to the dealer thursday for the remote start issue (the whining that continues until the key is inserted, which I found the solution to on here!) and I'll mention the idle shudder as well. I'll keep the post updated.
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Hey I wanted to bump this post as I am having the same shudder issues. Mine is an 09 with 3.6l and 8k miles. The vibration is noticeably worse when the Defrost is on, but does exist with it off as well. The Main times I notice it is when coming into a parking spot or slowing while turning the steering wheel. It is almost bad enough to rattle the dash. Took it to the dealer and they tell me its normal. Well I cant imagine this being just normal. Also I noticed a shudder while driving around 60 and downshifting to around 3k rpms and giving it slight acceleration. It almost feels like a wheel out of balance but goes away when it upshifts into a higher gear.
Possible dirty injectors, but at only 8K miles it shouldn't be. Unless previous owner ran 87 Mom-N-Pop gas all the time, then it might.
Possible bad coil (you have COP) or primary wire to one of them.
Possible PCM/ECM issue, but that's highly unlikely.
Possible bad coil (you have COP) or primary wire to one of them.
Possible PCM/ECM issue, but that's highly unlikely.
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Sounds to me like you have the common Malibu vibrations. Not really related to this thread. See the big sticky in Problems/Service....
Dealers say it is normal, since they are clueless how to fix it.
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Mk1shitrocket,
Would you mind providing us with more detailed information of what the dealership checked out when you took it in for this? I am curious as to what they may checked out and what they didn’t.
Michelle P., Chevrolet Customer Service
Would you mind providing us with more detailed information of what the dealership checked out when you took it in for this? I am curious as to what they may checked out and what they didn’t.
Michelle P., Chevrolet Customer Service
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The First time I took it in they made me take a ride with one of the service techs. I showed him all the different times it would clunk form applying the accelerator and when it would vibrate the worst. He then goes to tell me that the vibrations aren't bad and its most likely normal. Couple days later I took it back and almost annoyed they said they would look at it. Almost got into a fight with the tech about updating the firmware. All they told me was that they checked the motor mounts and updated the firmware for the transmission. They got this all done in an amazing 15 min. Oh and that the car wasn't throwing any codes so there cant be anything wrong.
Thats about as detailed as it got with the dealer. I am a mechanic and have been for years. But for some reason I cant imagine a car that is nearly new having so many "Normal" problems (quirks)
Thats about as detailed as it got with the dealer. I am a mechanic and have been for years. But for some reason I cant imagine a car that is nearly new having so many "Normal" problems (quirks)
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Mk1shitrocket,
Thank you for the additional details about your situation. I would like to further research your situation. I will send you a private message to provide you with further information.
Sincerely,
Michelle P., Chevrolet Customer Service
Thank you for the additional details about your situation. I would like to further research your situation. I will send you a private message to provide you with further information.
Sincerely,
Michelle P., Chevrolet Customer Service
I've got the same problem as my I4. I've been to the dealer two or three times for this problem over the last few months and no one can identify the problem, like your's it doesn't throw any codes either.
I noticed today that it shudders more with the temp is over 80. Today we hit 91 and it shuttered at idle most of the way home.
The car also shuttered/missed at an even 75 to 80 mph cruise while on vacation last week. Now that my car is out of warranty I'm going to try an independent mechanic and see if they can find the issue.
Just to clarify this thread and the posts that are being made:
The title refers to 3.6 V6 models, not I4.
3.5 and 3.6 V6 engines have hydraulic power steering. Any issues associated with the system will be mechanical in nature.
I4 engines have Electronic Power Steering (EPS). Any issues with EPS will likely be within the EPS motor module. Reading other posts on this site suggests that the motor is not serviceable by DIYers as it needs to be calibrated with specialized shop equipment.
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