KrikGS

Hey all,

My GS has about 3500 miles on it so far and I think I may have the dreaded torque converter issue. Reading the forums for a bit now and it seems that PIP 5337E describes a driveline shudder when in V4 mode and fluctuating RPM's as the TCC slips.

Well, for the past few days mine has been doing exactly that. In V4 mode, under constant speed and slight load the engine RPM's will vary by 100-200 RPM every couple of seconds and I get this hitch in the driveline. Does not do it in V8 mode.

Problem is that this was all supposed to be solved in November of 2015 with an updated TC design. My GS was built 8/12/2016. It shouldn't be exhibiting these issues.

Not getting the abrupt shifting when cold. At least not regularly. Might have happened a couple of times. But the RPM fluctuations and the shuddering is happening pretty consistently at this point.

I'm going to wait until after the new year to take it in to the dealer with PIP 5337E in hand. My concern is that since my car is newer than the vehicles affected, they may tell me to pound sand. We shall see. I'll take it to Stingray Chevrolet here in Plant City and ask to speak with the service director. He's dealt with me before about my factory tire swap.

I'm not happy about this at all. Thought I'd be safe with a 2017 since GM brought a bunch of improvements and all of the early C7 bugs were worked out. Maybe not. Wish me luck.

UPDATE:

Car is confirmed to have a bad torque converter. What surprised me is that I dropped it off on 1/5 around 430 PM and I just got a phone call from the service manager on 1/6 around 3 PM saying the car is done and I can pick it up at any time! I asked if they replaced the TC and she replied yes. Now it is at Stingray Chevrolet which has done quite a few of these but I heard this was a 14 hour job. Can they really have done it this quickly?

Guess I'll find out tomorrow morning when I go pick my baby up!

mracer14

V4 mode?

corvette-22

please keep us informed. If this happens to me AGAIN now on the supposed fixed 2017 I'm going to sue them without hesitation.

KrikGS

Yes, V4 mode.

pdiddy972

It's these types of issues, and the complete inability to resolve them, that made me opt for the M7; just don't want to risk the annoyance and stress. And the M7 is a sweet tranny.

AORoads

Hey, you probably have more things to do, but why not give the Serv. Dir a call and just ask him about it? At the least, he may be able to ease your mind that it's something they can fix easily and willingly whenever you bring it in. Could possibly make for a less stressful time of year for you seeing as how you have weather on your side where you live (not that the two go hand in hand).

iclick

My 2015 is in the shop now for a TC swap after 18 months of sporadic V4-shuttering issues that got worse over the past two months. I'm currently talking to dealers about ordering a 2017 GS...with an M7. Like you I can't deal with this any longer and will just chalk it up to experience. I've had only manuals for the previous 35 years before my 2015 and must've had a major senior moment when deciding on an A8. This experience may well snuff out any inclination of getting a slushbox again regardless of brand.

bjones7131

I just went through the BBB lemon law buy back on my 16 stingray but for a different reason than the tranny/TC and I went back with a GS A8 and if it gives me trouble I will go that route again and never buy another corvette. Read your warranty book, it states if after ample opportunity to repair and they are can't repair, they will replace or buy it back. These are great cars but not without issues. I know all vehicles can have issues but not like this.

rmorin1249

OP: Sorry to hear about your issue. I feel your pain. My car was in the shop for 30+ days for the same issues. It seems fine now and I hope it stays that way. Try to find a dealer who has some experience with the TC swaps. Good luck.

Bill Dearborn

Instead of asking to talk to the manager of the Service Department take it in and tell the Service Writer/Adviser what you are experiencing and let them do their job of assigning a mechanic to evaluate the problem. Don't tell them your diagnosis as you could be dead wrong and lead them in the wrong direction. Just like you only tell the doctor that you are having chest pain and don't tell them what is causing the chest pain or how tor treat it.

A good trouble shooter only listens to the what is happening and when story and shouldn't listen to the why but it is hard to keep that out of your mind after you see or hear it voiced by the Customer.

Bill

Red C8 of Jax

Good idea to take your car to Stingray Chev, I am sure they have replaced plenty of A8 TC's and can properly diagnose your problem. Sounds like your diagnoses of a TC causing your problems is correct. Hard to believe this problem has not been solved by GM. That being said, when my new TC was installed in February, 2016, my A8 has been flawless and I now have an additional 13K more miles on it. Keep us posted with Stingray's diagnoses.

767guy

OP, very sorry to hear about the driveline issues with your new car.

Although I have never dealt with Stingray Chevrolet they are a high volume dealer with lots of Vette experience, I assume, so you are off to a good start. I have spoken with the SM there about bringing my car in some time in January and he sounded very positive about trying to get it fixed.

I have had the rear end and tranny torn out of my car two times so far in 2016, well after the late 2015 revised TC date and my driveline has deteriorated yet again.My symptoms are:

1) hard 1-2 shifting first drive of the day
2) would not go into reverse the other morning....had to turn the car off and restart then it shifted into reverse
3) bad bump/slip accelerating in manual 3rd gear
4) loud groaning noise/vibration occasionally when in V4 mode at 1500 rpm. Accelerating or pulling the shift selector into manual to force V8 operation makes the groan/vibration go away ( this is brand new as of a month ago, 24000 miles on the car)
5) sometime on a rolling stop , down to about 3mph or so, when I step on the gas I get a very hard downshift into first gear, probably from third gear or maybe from second gear, not sure which but the down shift feels like being rear ended.

c6rod

I really hate to hear about all my fellow Corvette owners having so much trouble with their cars. Not only the mechanical part but also the inability or reluctance of GM to aggressively repair or solve the problem. How could a company who made a fantastic A4 and A6 system fail so spectacularly with the A8. I have a 2014 A6 and although I was considering buying a 2017, the A8 problem is keeping me doing so. Going to the M7 is not an option. I quit manual shifting in 1989 due to the convenience and minimal loss of performance.

LimeRay

I just don't get why people continue to buy the A8's. Clearly there is a major problem.

dmhines

A8 cars are an annoyance now since they have warranties ... I don't see how anybody would take chance of buying a used A8 car several years from now when warranty is gone ... Never hear of A6 issues ...

What is total labor and parts cost for replacing the TC ???

Red C8 of Jax

Not sure about the TC, but the cost for an A8 is 6K without labor. The purchase of an Extended warranty is in my future.

pkincy

If you think the A8 is a problem wait til the 18s get the A10.

2K14C7

The A10 won't fit in the C7.

Hopper12

My guess would be about the same cost as replacing a clutch and related parts. Maybe a bit higher since the TC is probably more costly than the clutch and related parts.

curve65

It's a big time bummer hearing about these. I've been sitting on the fence thinking that the MY17's would be ok, but probably not. Maybe they should give you the option for an A6 from your A8. Still I wish you guys luck and a speedy fix to your cars and will await in the stands. I was looking to buy in the Spring.