[markabes]

???Hi,
My first post, I love our Acadia but ran into a strange problem that I would be very interested in any feedback on.
I just took our 2009 SLT2 (18k miles) in for a check engine light and was told that 2 of the 3 catalytic converters had failed. The dealer is now servicing it though do not have parts so it will be 2-3 days. Perhaps coincidentally, I had also experienced a strange sound like a run on and loss of acceleration repeatedly after going up a short but steep hill and making a left turn on my street.
Has anyone heard of this before? Seems strange to me that a catalytic converter would fail at all, let alone at 18k miles of generally easy conditions Northern California driving. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Mark

 

[GeoHawk]

First I've heard of something like this. The loss of acceleration and run-on could be attributed to the converters failing. It almost sounds like what used to happen when leaded fuel was used in a car w/ catalytic converters, back when leaded fuel was still around. I'm stumped. Someone didn't fill your tank with diesel, did they? :-\

 

[DeForger]

If the cats were damaged someone might have added something to the fuel at the gas station or refinery. The mix might have been too much of an additive.

Bobby

 

[speleos]

I didn't know the Acadia has 3 catalytic converters!

 

[markabes]

I do not think it is the gas though certainly that is possible as any station could do this. We pretty much only use Chevron and Shell, buying at big stations near our house, and avoid the mom - n - pop stations. But thanks for the question/suggestion. I get the car back on Friday and will be interested to hear what they say. I was interested to see from the forum if others have seen anything like this and if so what was done about it. I was also suprised to learn it had 3 converters, would have guessed 2 max at 1 per tailpipe...
Mark

 

[mikemu]

???Hi,
My first post, I love our Acadia but ran into a strange problem that I would be very interested in any feedback on.
I just took our 2009 SLT2 (18k miles) in for a check engine light and was told that 2 of the 3 catalytic converters had failed. The dealer is now servicing it though do not have parts so it will be 2-3 days. Perhaps coincidentally, I had also experienced a strange sound like a run on and loss of acceleration repeatedly after going up a short but steep hill and making a left turn on my street.
Has anyone heard of this before? Seems strange to me that a catalytic converter would fail at all, let alone at 18k miles of generally easy conditions Northern California driving. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Mark

The loss of power is a classic symptom of a failing cat (not sure there's more than one). I had one go bad on a Grand Prix a few years back and thought the tranny was failing. 18K way too soon for that to happen in any event- perhaps there is something else going on that could have caused it to fail. I would ask the dealer to scan for any other codes

 

[speleos]

gmpartsdirect.com only lists 2 cat. conv. (R & L)

Catalytic converter, acadia, enclave, traverse, right
2009 $442.86 $322.40

Catalytic converter, acadia, enclave, traverse, left
2009 $442.86 $322.40

 

[jsimms]

???Hi,
My first post, I love our Acadia but ran into a strange problem that I would be very interested in any feedback on.
I just took our 2009 SLT2 (18k miles) in for a check engine light and was told that 2 of the 3 catalytic converters had failed. The dealer is now servicing it though do not have parts so it will be 2-3 days. Perhaps coincidentally, I had also experienced a strange sound like a run on and loss of acceleration repeatedly after going up a short but steep hill and making a left turn on my street.[/color]
Has anyone heard of this before? Seems strange to me that a catalytic converter would fail at all, let alone at 18k miles of generally easy conditions Northern California driving. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Mark

What was your fuel level when this happened; if you can remember

 

[markabes]

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback on the right/left converter. They were specific about 3 as I asked when they said that, I am planning to wait to hear what they say happend and the cause...

On the issue on the hill question and gas levels - we began seeing it about 4-5 days before the check engine light came on. We had different levels of gas over that time, and it was reproducable 100% of the time. Was a strange sound as mentioned, not sure why that combination of coming up to the top of a steep hill and turning left would trigger it but am hoping it was tied to the converters issue.

I'll be asking a lot of questions after the repair is done...

Mark

 

[markabes]

Hi all

Got the car back Friday and finally a chance to post. the 2 front converters were replaced (there is a third) with no explanation as to why they failed, nor much concern about it. My dealer does not even stock them and claimed no trend, which seems reasonable given no one else has posted this. They did update the SW and all seems to be running fine now. So hopeully this was something unusual and it will be the last we see of it...
Mark

 

[jsimms]

Good to hear everything was resolved

 

[speleos]

... the 2 front converters were replaced (there is a third) ...

A catalytic converter to convert the already catalyzed! That makes as much sense as restraining Gerber's strained carrots. :blob:

 

[6Sixathome]

If 2 were plugged it might have been a safe bet to just replace the 3rd ???. Curious about how they failed though .

 

[sckumaresan]

Hello,
I just stumbled upon this forum while checking for the problems with my GMC Acadia (2012). I was stunned to see exactly the same problem that my car is undergoing right now. As of this moment my car is in the garage undergoing total replacement of the catalytic converter (thank god the car is still under warranty!). The problem started when the engine light came on while driving last week and i took it to the only service center in Doha, Qatar. They said its an issue with the sensor and changed the sensor, but last Thursday the while driving again the engine lights came on and so took it back to the service station again on Sunday the 27 October, 2013. I was told that the catalytic converter has to be changed and hopefully I will get my car latter this evening, as promised. I had the same issues described by others in this forum and hopefully be resolved completely!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[GMC Customer Service]

Please keep us posted on the repairs! I hope everything is resolved quickly for you.

Jessica
GMC Customer Care

Hello,
I just stumbled upon this forum while checking for the problems with my GMC Acadia (2012). I was stunned to see exactly the same problem that my car is undergoing right now. As of this moment my car is in the garage undergoing total replacement of the catalytic converter (thank god the car is still under warranty!). The problem started when the engine light came on while driving last week and i took it to the only service center in Doha, Qatar. They said its an issue with the sensor and changed the sensor, but last Thursday the while driving again the engine lights came on and so took it back to the service station again on Sunday the 27 October, 2013. I was told that the catalytic converter has to be changed and hopefully I will get my car latter this evening, as promised. I had the same issues described by others in this forum and hopefully be resolved completely!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[BrianJC]

We've got a 2012 Acadia as well and for the last week we've had a check engine light. OnStar stated that it was something with a sensor and for us to drive 1 hour at highway speeds or have it serviced. We choose not to waste our $4 gas on a 1 hour test to see if it went away. The dealership just called and they stated that it was the catalytic converter that needs replaced. We've only had the vehicle for about 1.5 years from new. This is very surprising. We also had an issue where water was coming into the floor boards of both front seats. Turned out that GM failed to seal the top part of our windshield and water was leaking in the roof and going down the drains. For the most part we've been very happy with the vehicle but it is silly things like this that are a real pain.

 

[GMC Customer Service]

Hello BrianJC,

I understand unexpected vehicle concerns are disheartening and I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. I am glad you were able to work with your dealership towards resolving your vehicle issue. If you would like to further discuss your situation or any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to send me a private message.

Sincerely,

Laura M.
GMC Customer Care

 

[73Sprint]

You can buy converters for a 2008 Acadia from "Rock Auto".
I am in Canada and to buy and ship them to me came to $501.00 for a pair delivered to my door.
I have found that if a part costs $150 here, Rock Auto has it for $50 plus shipping. If I have time to wait for a part, I always but from them.
Oil vapor from the valve cover goes back in the system an collects in the cats until they are plugged. Way back when before computer controls, we were able to cut out the converter and put in a straight piece of pipe.

Oh ya, as for the 3 converters, I think there is only 2 and a muffler on 2008 year.

 

[rloyola26]

I have a 2009 Acadia at just a tad over 83k. Two weeks ago while merging onto the interstate, I was pressing on the gas petal and my car wasn't picking up speed but my rpm went up to 5. Before when this happened, the GM dealership told me to switch to low gear, and push the plus sign (on the shift) up to 6. (I have done this many times and its worked in the past) however, this time It was not doing anything. I lost power while driving on the interstate!!! I had to pull on the shoulder(with no power steering!) ugh! I was told it was the fuel control module, so I purchased that from the GM dealer by my house. After getting this part put on, I was then told It needed to be "re-programmed" ARE YOU KIDDING ME! why on earth did the GM parts guy that sold this to me NOT tell me this???? According to the Service Mgr, parts guys don't know if a part has to be programmed or not. They just sell parts!!! By this time I am one angry woman. After I paid to have this part programmed, what do you know, the car still would NOT start. Had it towed to the GM dealership. The service guy said that "because the car was misfiring due to coils & plugs that sent unburned fuel into the converters, the converters were ruined" so the car needed all coils, plugs & catalytic converters replaced. And also the computer would have to be re-programmed. For a grand total over 4600!!! this is just crazy. Aggravated, I got the car towed home again. When the tow driver was taking my car down, he started it up (first time i heard that in over 2 weeks) and pulled it in my driveway. I immediately called my father, he looked under the car and saw that they loosened the pipe. My father(a diesel mechanic) but hates to work on cars, ha ha, said maybe all it needed was the converters replaced. I don't know what to think at this point! Who is responsible for this? the dealership? GM? I've read a bunch of things about loosing power, catalytic converters, and numerous other things about this vehicle. I have tired to call the number 888-gmcares, but that number is forever busy! At this point I will NEVER buy another GMC vehicle again. Makes me miss my Nissan! Someone help!!

 

[dfalgout]

Hey guys. So my acadia started same thing after warranty expired. No power acceleration gone acted like tranny bad. Well took to local mechanis not dealer. He took the sensor out and uswd compressed air to blow debris from converter out. Put sensor on ran great for 9 mnths. I have to clean it again but its a cheap way to a fast fix. Cost 120 at this local mech. Dealer would change everything out which runs into thousands after warranty is done. Dont get taken by dealership. They only read the answers the factory gives them and charge too much. Find a trusted mechanic your local guys usually feel for there clients. Hope this info helps you. Also off topic. My transmission broke 25 miles before the warrant went out. Turns out this is a regular issue the dealer will not recall. Beware before buying. There is this plate inside the tranny well it broke. I lost my reverse and when it shifted there would be a loud noise and a hard jering sound.