I drive a 2012 Buick Verano, 220 000kms, 2.4L 4 cylinder engine (according to google). The issue started about 5 months ago; I had been driving on the highway for about 2 hours, I stopped to get gas, and as I slowed down to park, my car shut off. I couldn’t drive for more than 5-10 seconds without it idling. I left it sit for an hour, then it seemed fine and I continued my drive (We only had 30 more minutes to go and my family was there to drive me home if needed). It stalled twice more when we got to our destination, again once we slowed down to park. After a day of not driving, we went home and it drove absolutely fine.
After getting home, I took it to a shop who told me it had a bunch of issues worth more than the car. Took it to another shop who told me they tried absolutely everything to get it to stall, and they couldn’t find a single thing wrong with it. That was 5 months ago, and Ive been driving it with no issues since then.
Then today, it happened again. I drove for an hour, then I pulled into my friends driveway and it happened again. It would stall every 2-5 seconds, I couldn’t even put my foot on the break. For a solid minute I wasn’t even able turn the car on or off, it was just completely locked. I left it to sit for about 12 hours, then drove for about 10 minutes home and it was fine again. It sounded a little more sensitive (?) and the engine light was on, but aside from that I had no issues.
I really don’t know anything about cars, but I would seriously appreciate any suggestions of what could possibly be happening. I hope Ive provided enough information.
If it matters at all, I was just told I need to replace my break, struts, and shocks. My car also burns oil but it has since I got it and its never caused any issues. Aside from that it has been well maintained and doesn’t have any other issues I’m aware of.
Is there oil in it?
Yes I keep oil with me and check it everytime I get gas.
Needs a scan tool hooked up so the live data can be collected.
If the car burns oil, are you making sure the engine oil level is at a sufficient level between oil changes?
After getting home, I took it to a shop who told me it had a bunch of issues worth more than the car.
The first mechanic literally told you what the issues possibly were??
Yes, I keep oil with me at all times and top it off when needed.
I don’t remember all that he said, but I remember one of the things was the timing chain. He told me I needed around $7000 in repairs. The next shop said the timing chain looked fine, and they couldn’t find any other issues. So I’m not sure if the first shop was just trying to scam me or what, but I do know that the second shop I visited is highly reputable. My brother in law (a mechanic in the military) agreed that it wasn’t the timing chain or anything else the first shop recommended.
Also, I drove the car for 5 months afterwards with no issues until yesterday, so Im still not sure if the first shop can be trusted. I don’t think I would have drove that long had my timing chain been on its last limbs lol.
Instead of taking it to a general repair shop take it to a transmission shop and have them charge the failing control solenoid since its not releasing the torque converter when you slow down.
Shop bombing around for a few minutes will never discover it as it takes longer droves to heat it up.
Mifht as well get them to do the shift solenoids while they are in there.
Ive heard a few people on other posts mention the torque converter solenoid. That being said I have no idea what that is, lol. I’ll look into it, thanks!!
Torque converter is a non mechanical connection between the engine and transmisson that uses the movement of the transmission fluid inside it to drive the transmission.
Once it gets up to speed it will lock the two together, the solenoid unlocks it when you slow down.
If it doesn’t unlock it will cause the motor to stop turning when the transmission stops turning.
i see, that would definitely make sense. thanks for the explanation, i really appreciate it (: