This could be a lengthy post. I'll try to keep it easier to read.

My 08 Cobalt with nearly 20k miles (at least 90% highway) has 3 problems. Oh, I'm tuned.

First, almost since I've owned it the "Service ESC / Service Traction Control / Service Brakes" message would come up and the system would shut off. It was totally random and would reset when the car was shut off. The dealer had a go at it once but couldn't duplicate it or diagnose it. It was frustrating cause it always happened when they were closed or I couldn't swing it by. Well the car is in for a couple other issues and finally they got it. The part is on backorder. BTW if any of you have an inside track on what the backorder looks like that would be sweet!
I think they called it a "Brake Backpressure Module". Not TOTALLY sure, but something very similar to that anyway. So I'm in a loaner waiting on that part.

The rear brakes... I'm sure you all know. It's a common issue. The chewed up rotors and grinding noise. They didn't really question me about how or why it happened. I don't know what the company standard is exactly but they agreed to cover the rotors 100% and if I wanted new pads that would be on me. Of course I'm sure the pads are the culprit so I'm going ahead with those. I heard (from this site) that the replacements have better material so as not to chew up the rotors.

The third problem I had was misfire. Pretty much since I've owned it I would sometimes, although rarely get some misfire at WOT at high rpms. Well Sunday it went a step further and any time I hit more than about 10psi it would sputter. Long story short, within a 24 hour period it went from that to just freakin' dead. I started it up this morning to take it to the dealer and one cylinder was just totally dead. Not working at all. Turns out it was one of the coils. They located one of those and I'm told it's running like a champ.

So I'm just waiting on the Brake Module. However long that will take. They hooked me up with an 08 Ford Taurus SEL. Not a bad ride.

 

Usually what happens with a backorder is they are waiting for the plant to fill the order or they will enter a SPAC case which will try to locate one at another dealer. but most cases it only takes like 10 business days

 

Thanks man!! Appreciate it!!

Overall I like this dealership I have. The sales people are even paid salary, not commission. One of the few sites that has Ford and GM together. I'd bet they would find one any way possible. They told me tomorrow for the coil, but called later and said they found one today.

Even so, 10 days isn't too bad I think. I can handle that. I've just heard a few stories of people waiting months to get their rides back. That would suck ass.

 

Hey Zander, can you ask your service guy how exactly they determined that you needed a new Brake Backpressure Module? I've had the EXACT same issue with mine since I bought it with the same story (dealer couldn't duplicate the problem, yada yada). If you could let me know so I can tell them what to look for when I bring it in again, that'd be great.

 

Basically I just got lucky. I wish there was a better answer but there's not. After they put the new coil in and took it out to make sure it drove fine (I'm sure they had a blast) the "Service ESC" etc. message came on. So they scanned it. That's pretty much it.
At first I was upset, not pissed cause it's not their fault. But when I brought it in for the misfire the ESC acted up. For some reason the ECU wouldn't allow them to scan for it with the misfire going on.

EDIT UPDATE: They called me today just to keep me up to date with what's going on. I asked them about that valve. They said that what was happening is that that valve would occasionally get an electrical spike which is outside of it's parameters. That's what would cause it to malfunction.

 

Hopefully when the one cylinder wasn't firing it didn't run rich enough or long enough to ruin your catalytic converter. Happened to me on my cavalier a few years ago. Just be aware.

 

Yeah I was worried about that. I THINK **knock on wood** that I'm ok. I babied the hell out of that thing to avoid misfire all that I could. Plus I got it taken care of very quickly. Should be ok I think. But you're right... that was a concern of mine.

My backup plan if that happened was to just buy a new downpipe. As good an excuse as any to pick one up.