Failed control sensor creates $9k in repairs?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 125
Likes: 20
From: Utah
Failed control sensor creates $9k in repairs?
2014 convertible, 116k miles
One day driving to work. Suddenly, engine/muffler pitch goes way low, becomes sluggish. OBD reading returns about 12 codes, among which are 3 codes saying 3 cylinders misfiring:
I replaced the torque tube a year ago before I took delivery of the car. I have an OBD mod installed to prevent it from going into the infamous AFM mode.
9K in repairs. Ouch. Does any of this sound right to you? I do trust this dealership, I've been doing business with them for a long time. They don't give me any stories and have found ways to save me money when they can. I know these Vettes are complex sports cars. But one sensor can do this? What's your take?
One day driving to work. Suddenly, engine/muffler pitch goes way low, becomes sluggish. OBD reading returns about 12 codes, among which are 3 codes saying 3 cylinders misfiring:
P0030 H02S Heater Control Circuit Bank 1 Sensor
P0031 H02S Heater Control Circuit Low Bank 1 Sensor 1
P0050 H02S Heater Control Circuit Bank 2 Sensor 1
P0051 H02S Heater Control Circuit Low Bank 2 Sensor 1
P0443 Evaporative Emission System Purge Control Valve Circuit
P0458 Evaporative Emission System Purge Control Valve Circuit Low
P3403 Cylinder 1 Deactivation / Intake Valve Control Circuit Low
P3427 Cylinder 4 Deactivation / Intake Valve Control Circuit Low
P3443 Cylinder 6 Deactivation / Intake Valve Control Circuit Low
P3451 Cylinder 7 Deactivation / Intake Valve Control Circuit Low
Took it to the dealer I trust. They said they had to tear down the engine compartment to find out what was going on (timing belt? etc.) Got the call: they say it was a control sensor (solenoid?) that failed and took out the oil pump, which summarily took out the water pump due to the leaking oil and another or two sensors. They also told me that the torque tube needs replacing because of a failed bearing. "That one sensor failure took all of that out?!!!" "Yes."P0031 H02S Heater Control Circuit Low Bank 1 Sensor 1
P0050 H02S Heater Control Circuit Bank 2 Sensor 1
P0051 H02S Heater Control Circuit Low Bank 2 Sensor 1
P0443 Evaporative Emission System Purge Control Valve Circuit
P0458 Evaporative Emission System Purge Control Valve Circuit Low
P3403 Cylinder 1 Deactivation / Intake Valve Control Circuit Low
P3427 Cylinder 4 Deactivation / Intake Valve Control Circuit Low
P3443 Cylinder 6 Deactivation / Intake Valve Control Circuit Low
P3451 Cylinder 7 Deactivation / Intake Valve Control Circuit Low
I replaced the torque tube a year ago before I took delivery of the car. I have an OBD mod installed to prevent it from going into the infamous AFM mode.
9K in repairs. Ouch. Does any of this sound right to you? I do trust this dealership, I've been doing business with them for a long time. They don't give me any stories and have found ways to save me money when they can. I know these Vettes are complex sports cars. But one sensor can do this? What's your take?
Last edited by red-vette-ragtop; Apr 29, 2024 at 10:51 PM. Reason: Incorrect part name
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Sounds like bullshit to me
The oil pump is not going to take out the water pump. They are physically separated and the only way an oil pump would do that is if it led to a huge gaping hole in the block where all the internal parts exited the engine.
There's only about 100 sensors on this engine that all control something so "control sensor" is the equivalent of saying "something broke". Need to know explicitly what sensor(s).
There is no timing belt. These cars have a timing chain.
Based on the codes it sounds like the DOD/AFM system has failed. There are a variety of sensors that control that although more often than not, one of the lifters wipes a cam lobe.
As for the torque tube....If it was installed less than a year ago, it should be under warranty. Check your paperwork. Don't know how they would have tested the torque tube unless they have the engine out or drove the car.
This is all just speculation since most of your description of what they did, frankly, doesn't make sense.
The oil pump is not going to take out the water pump. They are physically separated and the only way an oil pump would do that is if it led to a huge gaping hole in the block where all the internal parts exited the engine.
There's only about 100 sensors on this engine that all control something so "control sensor" is the equivalent of saying "something broke". Need to know explicitly what sensor(s).
There is no timing belt. These cars have a timing chain.
Based on the codes it sounds like the DOD/AFM system has failed. There are a variety of sensors that control that although more often than not, one of the lifters wipes a cam lobe.
As for the torque tube....If it was installed less than a year ago, it should be under warranty. Check your paperwork. Don't know how they would have tested the torque tube unless they have the engine out or drove the car.
This is all just speculation since most of your description of what they did, frankly, doesn't make sense.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,177
Likes: 1,044
From: North Texas
From your description it sounds like you had a Intake Valve Control Circuit sensor failure that shut down the AFM system. ( i read that you disabled the AFM thru the OBD port ).
All the rest of the issues they 'found' depends on how the car was taken care of.
But I have a very hard time believing that all these failures are caused by any sensor.
I believe the tech just started taking the car apart and once in pieces just to fire the parts cannon at it.
I bet if this car was under warranty GM would not allow or cover this repair sequence.
But if its just a single sensor, well this dealer has a boat payment due.
Good luck.
All the rest of the issues they 'found' depends on how the car was taken care of.
But I have a very hard time believing that all these failures are caused by any sensor.
I believe the tech just started taking the car apart and once in pieces just to fire the parts cannon at it.
I bet if this car was under warranty GM would not allow or cover this repair sequence.
But if its just a single sensor, well this dealer has a boat payment due.
Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 36
From: INDIANA
I wouldn't trust that dealer any longer, that is the worst diagnosis I've ever heard. They have no idea what really happened, and I would not trust for them to repair it properly if that is their level of capability.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 733
From: Phoenix, Arizona
One sensor would not take out all of those parts - ever and your "trusted" dealer should not be. For them to say one sensor took out all those parts is a huge red flag and to suggest an engine sensor took out a torque tube bearing is absurd.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 497
Likes: 616
From: NE Ohio
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Haven't I read here that incorrectly replaced torque tubes can put pressure on the crank thrust bearing which puts ground bearing metal into oil circulation and then causes lifter or rod bearing failures in about 3000 miles?
How many miles ago was the torque tube replacement?
How many miles ago was the torque tube replacement?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,177
Likes: 1,044
From: North Texas
After reading your post a couple of times I get the sneaking feeling that when they replaced the torque tube that they did not set the clearance correctly, thus the trashed engine.
The time period seems about right for the thrust bearing to be destroyed taking the engine with it.
Good luck in your repair and keep us informed as to what was done.
The time period seems about right for the thrust bearing to be destroyed taking the engine with it.
Good luck in your repair and keep us informed as to what was done.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,360
Likes: 24,783
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
What they are suggesting does seem suspect. Good luck getting this straightened out and hope it does not get messy, especially if the torque tube install led to all this.
