Service Power Steering

[Chris1673]

I have read all kinds of things about this message but thought I would give this forum a shot.

I bought a 2008 Tahoe Hybrid for my son - 143k miles and in really good shape overall. Every 5 trips or so, the Tahoe will stall from startup (such as a stop sign or stop light) when turning and accelerating, I lose power steering, and the vehicle stalls. I get a “Service Power Steering” message. I can put in park, restart and go on my way but obviously that’s a dangerous condition I don’t want to put my son in charge of navigating.

Originally was getting P061B and POAC4 codes and when I took it to the dealership, they claimed it needed the software updated and that would likely fix it. Side note, I don’t have a ton of confidence in this dealership. It did lower the frequency of this happening somewhat but this is still happening. It also does not throw any codes now or activate the CE light when this happens now. I have done simple things like cleaning the throttle body, but that’s really it so far.

Would love any other suggestions before I invest in something like a new power steering control module or other parts in an attempt to fix.

Thanks a bunch for any ideas.
Chris

 

[avalonandl]

Your problem is the engine is stalling? Is the idle rough or low ? Clean your throttle body, change spark plugs...

 

[Chris1673]

Your problem is the engine is stalling? Is the idle rough or low ? Clean your throttle body, change spark plugs...

Thank you for the response - i did already clean the throttle body - when I turn and the power steering fails, the car stalls. Once I restart, it drives fine.

 

[PG01]

Power steering fails because it’s electric assist on the hybrids so if it does it only when you turn, something is shifting or loose. Is it a left or a right? In park or with foot on brake or accelerating? All the time or sometimes? Full lock turn or slight wheel shift?
Start the truck and set ebrake. In park, turn wheel until it stalls while watching wiring etc. then do it with foot on brake and that will get started.
Sounds like a loose ground wire somewhere.

 

[Chris1673]

Power steering fails because it’s electric assist on the hybrids so if it does it only when you turn, something is shifting or loose. Is it a left or a right? In park or with foot on brake or accelerating? All the time or sometimes? Full lock turn or slight wheel shift?
Start the truck and set ebrake. In park, turn wheel until it stalls while watching wiring etc. then do it with foot on brake and that will get started.
Sounds like a loose ground wire somewhere.

I’ll try it this evening, thanks!

 

[Chris1673]

Ok, so I started the vehicle and turned the wheel all the right and all the way left with no stall. The trouble is that this only happens about once every 5-10 trips. Any other ideas on what to try to troubleshoot? Thanks

 

[dnt1010]

The POA codes relate to the hybrid battery. Most dealers act like they are totally clueless on these TwoMode vehicles. They have access through GM to the needed information but you CANNOT make them take the time to research it.
I am going to hazard a guess here that your hybrid battery is weak. There are a bunch of threads on here on how to check the hybrid battery.
That would be my first step. I know it is painful to accept and I struggled with th decision to. I got mine from Best Hybrid in Chicago there are several peopel that have used Green Bean all ae going to have used modules in them and decreased capacity from new. It is possible to still purchase a new hybrid replacement battery but the cost is very high! Good luck man

 

[BG1988]

I have read all kinds of things about this message but thought I would give this forum a shot.

I bought a 2008 Tahoe Hybrid for my son - 143k miles and in really good shape overall. Every 5 trips or so, the Tahoe will stall from startup (such as a stop sign or stop light) when turning and accelerating, I lose power steering, and the vehicle stalls. I get a “Service Power Steering” message. I can put in park, restart and go on my way but obviously that’s a dangerous condition I don’t want to put my son in charge of navigating.

Originally was getting P061B and POAC4 codes and when I took it to the dealership, they claimed it needed the software updated and that would likely fix it. Side note, I don’t have a ton of confidence in this dealership. It did lower the frequency of this happening somewhat but this is still happening. It also does not throw any codes now or activate the CE light when this happens now. I have done simple things like cleaning the throttle body, but that’s really it so far.

Would love any other suggestions before I invest in something like a new power steering control module or other parts in an attempt to fix.

Thanks a bunch for any ideas.
Chris

Keep it in M4...this will disable auto stop... it will do about 16-19mpg in the city (which is still way better the normal tahoe those barely get like 10-12mpg with the tiny 5.3L engine) the decrease in mpg will be minimal since it's rated 21 city, (you can run it in [D]rive on the highway if you stay above 30mph)

 

[Chris1673]

The POA codes relate to the hybrid battery. Most dealers act like they are totally clueless on these TwoMode vehicles. They have access through GM to the needed information but you CANNOT make them take the time to research it.
I am going to hazard a guess here that your hybrid battery is weak. There are a bunch of threads on here on how to check the hybrid battery.
That would be my first step. I know it is painful to accept and I struggled with th decision to. I got mine from Best Hybrid in Chicago there are several peopel that have used Green Bean all ae going to have used modules in them and decreased capacity from new. It is possible to still purchase a new hybrid replacement battery but the cost is very high! Good luck man

Thanks a ton for the info - I think I knew this is where the story would end (new hybrid battery) but wanted to do my diligence before dropping the $3k. Looks like it’s time to take the plunge

 

[BG1988]

Thanks a ton for the info - I think I knew this is where the story would end (new hybrid battery) but wanted to do my diligence before dropping the $3k. Looks like it’s time to take the plunge

you can actually buy a new OEM battery for 2400-2800$ the price dropped on them
just for the battery cells only no other parts honestly that is a steal
5yr/60k miles on them.. if you want the part # let me know via pm i don't want people to artificially create views causing the price to go up