20NA024
Service Bulletin Details
Public Details for: 20NA024
This informational bulletin provides a information and diagnostic steps/tips for vehicles that are slow to heat up in cold temperatures.
- 2020 - 2019 - 2018 - 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 -
Models from 2019
2019 BUICK ENCORE |
2019 CHEVROLET CRUZE |
2019 CHEVROLET SONIC |
2019 CHEVROLET SPARK |
2019 CHEVROLET TRAX |
Models from 2018
2018 BUICK ENCORE |
2018 CHEVROLET CRUZE |
2018 CHEVROLET SONIC |
2018 CHEVROLET SPARK |
2018 CHEVROLET TRAX |
Models from 2017
2017 BUICK ENCORE |
2017 CHEVROLET CRUZE |
2017 CHEVROLET SONIC |
2017 CHEVROLET SPARK |
2017 CHEVROLET TRAX |
Models from 2015
2015 BUICK ENCORE |
2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE |
2015 CHEVROLET SONIC |
2015 CHEVROLET SPARK |
2015 CHEVROLET TRAX |
Models from 2014
2014 BUICK ENCORE |
2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE |
2014 CHEVROLET SONIC |
2014 CHEVROLET SPARK |
2014 CHEVROLET TRAX |
Models from 2013
2013 BUICK ENCORE |
2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE |
2013 CHEVROLET SONIC |
2013 CHEVROLET SPARK |
2013 CHEVROLET TRAX |
Models from 2012
2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE |
2012 CHEVROLET SONIC |
Models from 2011
2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE |
Bulletin No.: Service Bulletin Date: 20-NA-024 February, 2020 INFORMATION Subject: Information on Vehicle Slow to Heat Up in Cold Ambient Temperatures This bulletin replaces PI1166D. Please discard PI1166D. Model Year: Brand: Model: Buick Chevrolet VIN: from to Encore 2013 2020 Cruze 2011 2015 Cruze (VIN P) 2016 2016 Cruze (Gen II - VIN B) 2016 2019 Sonic 2012 2020 2013 2020 Spark Trax from to Engine: 1.2L, 1.4L or 1.8L Gas Transmission: LLO, LUJ, LUV, LE2, 2HO, LUW, LWE Involved Region or Country North America Condition Some customers may comment in cold ambient temperatures on finding one or more of the following conditions: • The engine is slow to reach normal coolant operating temperatures as indicated by the engine coolant temperature gauge. • The air coming out of the heater outlet ducts is not warm enough for their personal preferences. • The vehicle is not warm when using the Remote Vehicle Start feature. Cause This condition may be caused by the energy efficient engines that these vehicles are equipped with. These engines may not generate the same amount of heat at idle that the customer may be accustomed to when compared to older less efficient engines. Additionally, depending on extreme cold ambient temperatures, a short drive cycle under light engine load may also not generate enough heat to reach normal engine coolant operating temperatures as indicated by the engine coolant temperature gauge and therefore insufficient heat from the heater outlet ducts. Copyright 2020 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 2 February, 2020 Bulletin No.: 20-NA-024 1. Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle. • If any DTCs are set, refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle in SI. • If no DTCs are set, go to Step 2. 2. Verify the coolant in the radiator surge tank is at the correct level. 3. For vehicles with manual heater control or automatic control in manual mode, instruct the customer that during extreme cold ambient temperatures to place the blower on medium (3) instead of high (6) during vehicle warm-up or remote start. Note: Automatic HVAC operated in Auto mode is already optimized for lower blower speed during engine warm-up. – This will result in warmer outlet temperatures sooner. When the blower is operated on high speed (6) with extreme low ambient temperatures, the heater core will pull more heat out of the coolant than the engine can produce at idle or low speed causing the engine and outlet temperature to be slower to warm up. 4. For Encore and Trax ONLY: Installing a Winter Grille Cover will help retain some engine heat. Note: Understand that heater benefit will be small using the Winter Grille Cover. Information ⇒ Refer to 16-NA-405 for more information. 5. DO NOT replace the engine coolant thermostat unless a DTC is set related to the thermostat, as the ECM monitors the thermostat each key cycle to ensure it is operating within design parameters. ⇒ If there are no DTCs, the engine coolant level is correct, and the thermostat is diagnosed as operating correctly, then the comment of the engine is slow to reach normal coolant operating temperatures should be considered as a normal operating condition of these energy efficient engines in cold ambient temperatures. During a long descent or steep downhill grade, the engine may be in DFCO (Deceleration Fuel Cut Off) mode, which will not produce additional heat. However in other driving situations, placing the engine in Manual Mode will slightly increase engine heat. To do this, place the shifter in “L" or “M", then use +/- on the shifter to perform a light engine brake to keep RPMs up above idle speeds. Customer Information Please communicate to the customer that this condition as described is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle. It will not impact the designed performance or reliability of the vehicle. Please share this information with the customer, including a copy of this bulletin. Parts Information No parts are required for this repair. Version 2 Modified Released January 30, 2020 February 11, 2020 – Removed previous step #4 (long descent or steep grade) from the Information section and added information at the end of the Information section. GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information. WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION