IF this is working like I think it might.

They will fix the worst complaints first if you take it in. It then may just be a TSB and will be done if you complain once more parts are available.

I would guess it may not be a recall unless the goverment steps in.

The parts look to be limited right now so this may take a little longer till they get more parts available.

I would contact the dealer and let them know what was posted on this sight and let them see if they can get on the list for parts to fix your vehicle.

I would not wait till they call you.

 

Hyper, I've beenreading this site and the start up brake issue. Thank you for having a very cool head in all this. Alittle info I got the other day. i work as a tech at Chevy. Got my paperwork and called technical assistance. Due to the fact that I read that they have give authorization for the fix on this issue. The guy knew about the issue and I was told that there is no fix at this time. But, there is a fix in the works. And when it is available the dealership will get a notice for me to bring the car back in. Not sure how it will work for everyone, but that sounds good to me. I know about the issue, my driveway is on an incline and I have a very nice two-way remote start key fob that will start the car from an extremely long ways away. By the time I get to the car, I got plenty brakes...i was also told that the fix is close, just getting the small parts rounded up for the kits. We will see. Maybe we can see alittle more love on this forum when Chevy gives these select few people their brakes back.

 

My 2009 HHR SS has the same problem, soft brakes after start up. I have already had damage done the the rear bumper due to this issue. I have had to put the brake peddle to the floor to get it to stopped. I also came with in a few inches of hitting my truck because of this issue. I am sure GM is not going to fix my bumper will they. I my have to also file a report with NTSB.

 

I have been reading this thread for a while and I see some owners like cva saying "soft brakes after startup" and "I have had to put the brake peddle to the floor to get it to stopped." My car has an extremely stiff pedal and goes nowhere near the floor. It is like having no power/vac assist.. which is exactly what is happening. This is just the opposite of soft pedal. Are there two different brake issues here?

2008 SS Auto 9K and loving it

 

I don't see any posts that really explain this behavior. Here it is as I understand it: When you start a cold enough engine, the controller takes actions to quickly heat up the catalytic converter in order to reduce hydrocarbon emissions. Those include opening the throttle, and retarding the spark timing. You can hear the engine sound louder, or moan during this mode. Because the throttle is opened up more than idle, the vacuum level is less. Vacuum supplies power to the brakes so this means brakes will have less assist during this mode, and you'll have to push a little harder for the same braking effect. You can blame the EPA's emission requirements for this, but this mode only lasts for a short period of time say 15 seconds or so. As long as you are expecting this, it is easy to take that into account when using the brakes. Either push harder, or just waith through the warm-up period.

-John S.
OEM Engineer

 

Thank you.

I have been though a running change before with GM on a past car I own and know what it takes and how long it can take. Even some of the most simple things can take a year to fix. I was in on that one form the start so I just applied the same time line.

I know there is a lot of aggrivation here and I can't blaime them but getting mad is not going to help them nor speed GM up.

I think since the parts are just now starting in the near future they should have a kit ready that the dealers can just look up the TSB and if all of these.

We also will see a change on the 09's being built would be my guess.

I have had people accuse me of working for GM? All I have done is work with GM to fix a past problem and learned from it.

I think most here will be happy as a fix is very near. Once this is resolved I am sure 99.9% of SS owners will be happy.

Also I noticed people here have several ways to discribe how the pedal feels. Some call it hard some feel it is soft but the truth is there is just no vacuum boost. Having driven enough cars with bad booster it was obvious what was wrong but finding a fix in todays cars is just not as easy.

The warm up events you discribe sound logical. I have noted the engine warm up in the SS Tubo is as quick as I have seen and I know with the new Emissions they has been working to get the temps up as quick as they can.

I have read the temps in my converter and have seen how high they go so quickly with my scan meter. They do climb fast.

 

That's fine in theory, but it doesn't seem to address any of the critical factors that affect the problem in the real world. 15 seconds sure isn't enough to get my engine generating much vacuum. Don't assume you know how someone else's vehicle is going to behave, since they all behave quite differently, presumably depending on the rate of the leak, as well as the inclines typically driven when starting out. I've put about 8,000 miles on my vehicle, and I've only ever experienced the problem one time. But that one time it was a problem could have easily been fatal. I was stomping that pedal for dear life, and my braking distance was unexpectedly doubled. I have owned a number of vehicles which did not have assisted braking, and the trying to push a dead assist system is nothing like using brakes that were designed to stop a vehicle without assist. Don't assume everyone who is complaining about the problem is just being silly. Perhaps if your vehicle did the same thing you might feel the same way.

 

Thanks! Good advice! Many understand what you mean

and everything you state on the emissions makes a lot of sense for a cause.


The fix should soon put this to bed soon for everyone I hope.

 

I understand what you are saying.........However why is this problem more prevalent in Automatic Cars than stick cars???

 

He may have a better answer but I think it is because Manual trannys build vacuum faster.

It is like when you put a cam in a car that builds little vacuum because of their overlap in its profile. It will work with no problem in say like a 4 speed 1969 Z28 but if you put it in a automatic Camaro the car never draws enough vacuum because of the tranny and the way it drives.

Many install vacuum cans to make up for this but in this case a better fix was needed. often with these cams they never build enough vaccume unlike the HHR that in time does.

Most Manuals build faster than most Automatics.

But with different driving styles that could still let it happen in a 5 speed. We have had a few people here that have said their manual has done it too. Not as many but a few.

Many of us have had cars in the past that never build vacuum boost in the brake system because of the cam. This is far from the first time we have had this problem in a car. You learn to drive with the E brake at the ready till you get it worked out.

Just part of building cars and this time it happened to GM in a round about way. Todays cars are getting so advanced they are seeing problems never even though of even 10 years ago. Ever two steps forward can require a step back sometimes. Even the MFG have their share of issues many you never know about. This one unfortunately we did know about.