I own a 2007 Saturn Outlook XR AWD with 61K miles. I recently had it at my local authorized GM Service Center to replace a leaking water pump, power steering gear (2nd time for this vehicle), apply a software update to fix the NAV “MAP DVD Read Error” (didn’t work), and have the Transmission Control Module (TCM) updated per TSB 08-07-30-022A. Also at this visit, recall 10287 “Premature Timing Chain Wear – Reprogram ECM” was performed.
Driving away from the service center, the lower gear shifting due to the TCM update was immediately obvious and a huge improvement. At light (normal) acceleration in lower gears, pedal response was crisp and peppy with the shift points now at higher speeds and no feeling of double shifting or slipping due to the Torque Converter when it shifted into 2nd and 3rd. Going onto the freeway onramp and giving it the gas, the lag/hesitation in 3rd or 4th (depending on speed) was much reduced to an acceptable level. I was very pleased I had it done!
Later that day on our spring break trip, approx. 200 miles after picking up the vehicle from the service center, we were traveling on the interstate at approx. 70 MPH and the vehicle lost full drive power to the wheels and went into some type of limp mode. It felt as though you were pressing both the gas and brake pedals at the same time, but the brake pedal was winning (even though the brake pedal wasn’t being touched). The DIC displayed a message about reduced engine power (something to that effect, there was a lot going on to remember exactly what it said) and the check engine light came on. Fortunately, I was able to safely get the car to the rightmost lane, then shoulder and to the next exit. At the exit, I stopped and tried to put the transmission into low “L” mode, but it wouldn’t go. I turned the car off, checked underneath for leaking fluids, waited a few minutes and then started it up. The “L” mode was now working again, as well as the normal drive “D” mode. We drove to a somewhat nearby Auto Zone (thanks Garmin, as our GM NAV doesn’t work) and they ran the codes P0700 and P0741. The printout noted the codes for GM as P0700 = “Transmission control module (TCM) requested mil illumination” and P0741 = “TCC stuck off”. Since we were in the middle of nowhere on a Friday evening and it now seemed to be running OK, except that the low speed shifting felt like it was back to its sluggish pre- “TSB 08-07-30-022A” behavior, we continued on our trip without further incident.
The next day, the check engine light turned off by itself, but the low gear shifting remained sluggish (and still does). It feels like the Torque Converter is back in play during 2nd and 3rd shifting, even though the shift points are approximate to the new calibration speeds noted in the TSB. We returned from our trip and brought it back to the service center. They had the vehicle for several days but could not find anything wrong. As the report states, “performed transmission system diag., no DTC’s, fluid full and in good condition, reviewed freeze frame failure records & found nothing, test drove and contacted [GM] assist for other cases and no other cases found, could not duplicate concern.” I was told they dropped the tranny pan to ensure nothing unusual (vehicle also had “3-5- Reverse Clutch Plate Replacement” at 57K mi).
Regarding the loss of drive power… Has anyone else had a similar experience with code P0741 or similar loss of power to the wheels? If so, was it resolved, how, and what were the findings? As I hope you can imagine, we are now leery about travelling with this for fear it will happen again.
Regarding the TCM update… After having the update as noted, has anyone else experienced the transmission feeling like it reverted back to its old sluggish ways in low gears even though the shift points seem to be per the TSB? If so, was it resolved, how, and what were the findings?
Also, the TSB for the TCM update gives a labor code for warranty repair. Does anyone know for certain what part of the warranty applies to this? Is it only the 3yr/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper, or is it covered under either the 5yr/100,000 mile Powertrain or 8yr/80,000 mile Emissions Control System (the TCM and ECM are listed as emissions items in warranty book)? I’m asking this because I was charged $100 by my service center to have the TCM updated with this TSB (they were also going to charge me for the water pump until I pointed out that it is specifically noted in the Powertrain warranty). I called GM Customer Assistance and the person I spoke with was of no help. I gave the CA the TSB # and GM Document ID (2177083), and they had no knowledge of it. The CA then just called my service center to find out if it was covered and reported back to me that the service center said it wasn’t. Wow!
I’d greatly appreciate information from anyone that has had similar experience and any findings or resolutions!
Driving away from the service center, the lower gear shifting due to the TCM update was immediately obvious and a huge improvement. At light (normal) acceleration in lower gears, pedal response was crisp and peppy with the shift points now at higher speeds and no feeling of double shifting or slipping due to the Torque Converter when it shifted into 2nd and 3rd. Going onto the freeway onramp and giving it the gas, the lag/hesitation in 3rd or 4th (depending on speed) was much reduced to an acceptable level. I was very pleased I had it done!
Later that day on our spring break trip, approx. 200 miles after picking up the vehicle from the service center, we were traveling on the interstate at approx. 70 MPH and the vehicle lost full drive power to the wheels and went into some type of limp mode. It felt as though you were pressing both the gas and brake pedals at the same time, but the brake pedal was winning (even though the brake pedal wasn’t being touched). The DIC displayed a message about reduced engine power (something to that effect, there was a lot going on to remember exactly what it said) and the check engine light came on. Fortunately, I was able to safely get the car to the rightmost lane, then shoulder and to the next exit. At the exit, I stopped and tried to put the transmission into low “L” mode, but it wouldn’t go. I turned the car off, checked underneath for leaking fluids, waited a few minutes and then started it up. The “L” mode was now working again, as well as the normal drive “D” mode. We drove to a somewhat nearby Auto Zone (thanks Garmin, as our GM NAV doesn’t work) and they ran the codes P0700 and P0741. The printout noted the codes for GM as P0700 = “Transmission control module (TCM) requested mil illumination” and P0741 = “TCC stuck off”. Since we were in the middle of nowhere on a Friday evening and it now seemed to be running OK, except that the low speed shifting felt like it was back to its sluggish pre- “TSB 08-07-30-022A” behavior, we continued on our trip without further incident.
The next day, the check engine light turned off by itself, but the low gear shifting remained sluggish (and still does). It feels like the Torque Converter is back in play during 2nd and 3rd shifting, even though the shift points are approximate to the new calibration speeds noted in the TSB. We returned from our trip and brought it back to the service center. They had the vehicle for several days but could not find anything wrong. As the report states, “performed transmission system diag., no DTC’s, fluid full and in good condition, reviewed freeze frame failure records & found nothing, test drove and contacted [GM] assist for other cases and no other cases found, could not duplicate concern.” I was told they dropped the tranny pan to ensure nothing unusual (vehicle also had “3-5- Reverse Clutch Plate Replacement” at 57K mi).
Regarding the loss of drive power… Has anyone else had a similar experience with code P0741 or similar loss of power to the wheels? If so, was it resolved, how, and what were the findings? As I hope you can imagine, we are now leery about travelling with this for fear it will happen again.
Regarding the TCM update… After having the update as noted, has anyone else experienced the transmission feeling like it reverted back to its old sluggish ways in low gears even though the shift points seem to be per the TSB? If so, was it resolved, how, and what were the findings?
Also, the TSB for the TCM update gives a labor code for warranty repair. Does anyone know for certain what part of the warranty applies to this? Is it only the 3yr/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper, or is it covered under either the 5yr/100,000 mile Powertrain or 8yr/80,000 mile Emissions Control System (the TCM and ECM are listed as emissions items in warranty book)? I’m asking this because I was charged $100 by my service center to have the TCM updated with this TSB (they were also going to charge me for the water pump until I pointed out that it is specifically noted in the Powertrain warranty). I called GM Customer Assistance and the person I spoke with was of no help. I gave the CA the TSB # and GM Document ID (2177083), and they had no knowledge of it. The CA then just called my service center to find out if it was covered and reported back to me that the service center said it wasn’t. Wow!
I’d greatly appreciate information from anyone that has had similar experience and any findings or resolutions!
