18NA020

Bulletin No.:
Service Bulletin
Date:
18-NA-020
March, 2021
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illuminated with DTC P0300 and/or P0299/P2227 Set
This Bulletin replaces PIP5511A. Please discard PIP5511A.
Brand:
Model:
Chevrolet
Equinox
GMC
Terrain
Model Year:
from
2018
to
2021
VIN:
from
-
to
-
Engine:
Equipped
with 2.0L or
1.5L Engine
(RPOs
LTG, LYX)
Transmission:
All
Involved Region or Country
U.S. and Canada
Condition
Some customers may comment on a Malfunction Indicator Lamp illuminated or a reduced
power complaint
During diagnosis, a technician may find DTC P0299, P2227, or P0300 set/stored.
Cause
This condition may be caused by a moisture build up inside the charge air cooler (CAC).
This condition is more likely on the smaller displacement engines where an air-to-air
charge air cooler is used.
In cold temperatures, ambient and PCV moisture can freeze in the charge air cooler,
restricting flow, and causing DTC P0299 and/or P2227, or P0300.
Correction
The correction required will be based on the build of the vehicle, previous repairs that
may have been made, and the operating conditions. Use the chart to determine which
repair is required. The more severe the cold weather driving conditions, the more
operations may need to be implemented. Blocking cold air from the CAC is the main
objective to help prevent the moisture from freezing.
The first requirement is to ensure there are no leaks in the system from the turbocharger
to the throttle body, specifically at the charge air cooler. Perform a smoke leak test
(Dealer Essential Tool GE-52250 Power Smoke Diagnostic Leak Detector), then follow
the appropriate repair steps, depending on the test results, build date, and outside driving
condition temperature.
Note: In rare cases where the addition of a charge air cooler shutter doesn't prevent
CAC freezing, install the lower portion of the soft grill cover. Inform the customer to
remove the cover from the grill when temperatures are consistently averaging 32F/0C or
above.
Note: If the charge air cooler is not leaking, but is
frozen and/or contaminated, remove, thaw, wash it out
and reinstall. Use the add-on labor operation.
Copyright 2021 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Important: DO NOT replace the CAC inlet or outlet
ducts as part of this repair unless there is evidence of
damage and/or a leak from either CAC duct.
Page 2
March, 2021
Service Procedure - Charge Air Cooler
Diagnosis
Bulletin No.: 18-NA-020
1. Perform a smoke leak test of the charge air cooler,
using essential tool GE-52250 Power Smoke
Diagnostic Leak Detector.
Refer to Chart Based Conditions, below, for next
steps.
Important: Remove the boost sensor and wipe with a
clean rag to remove residual moisture to ensure the
sensor is not contaminated. DO NOT use chemical
cleaners.
Chart Based Conditions
Model
Years
Condition
Replace Charge
Air Cooler
– (CAC)
Refer to Charge
Air Cooler
Replacement
on SI.
2018-2021
CAC
Leaking ONLY
X
2018
CAC Frozen
(Built Before
March 1, 2018) *
2018-2020
CAC Frozen
(Built After March
1, 2018) *
-
X
X
Temperature
Averages are
BELOW 32F/
0C **
2018-2020
CAC Frozen &
Leaking
X
X
X
Temperature
Averages are
BELOW 32F/
0C **
-
2018-2020
(already
had CAC
shutter
installed)
CAC Frozen
AFTER removal
of Front Bumper
Secondary
(lower) Shutter
AND Installation
of Front Bumper
Lower (CAC)
Shutter
-
-
-
Temperature
Averages are
BELOW 32F/
0C **
-
2021
(has not had
CAC shutter
installed)
CAC Frozen
(Without
RPO VRI)
-
X
X
Temperature
Averages are
BELOW 32F/
0C **
-
2021
CAC Frozen &
Leaking (Without
RPO VRI)
X
X
X
Temperature
Averages are
BELOW 32F/
0C **
-
2021
CAC Frozen
(With RPO VRI)
-
-
-
Temperature
Averages are
BELOW 32F/
0C **
-
2021
CAC Frozen &
Leaking (With
RPO VRI)
X
-
-
Temperature
Averages are
BELOW 32F/
0C **
-
2018-2020
CAC Not Frozen
or Leaking
-
-
-
-
Refer to SI
X
Remove Front
Bumper
Secondary
(lower) Shutter
Install Front
Bumper Lower
(CAC) Shutter,
instructions
below
Install Soft Grill
Cover Over
Lower Grill
Opening***
Repair
Other
System
Issue
-
-
-
-
X
Temperature
Averages are
BELOW 32F/
0C **
-
-
X
Note: Replacement of the Charge Air Cooler is ONLY required if GM IVH (View Vehicle Build) indicated build date is before 03/
01/2018 AND GM IVH (View Transaction History Detail) indicates the CAC has not been previously replaced.
** Remove Soft Grill Cover Over Lower Grill Opening when temperatures are consistently averaging 32F/0C or above.
Bulletin No.: 18-NA-020
March, 2021
Page 3
Chart Based Conditions
Model
Years
Condition
Replace Charge
Air Cooler
– (CAC)
Refer to Charge
Air Cooler
Replacement
on SI.
Remove Front
Bumper
Secondary
(lower) Shutter
Install Front
Bumper Lower
(CAC) Shutter,
instructions
below
Install Soft Grill
Cover Over
Lower Grill
Opening***
Repair
Other
System
Issue
5775941
*** For Terrains with front license plate bracket (VK3), install tape over the openings on bottom of the license plate bracket, to
prevent airflow from bypassing the grill cover and flowing directly at the charge air cooler, as shown in the picture above.
Examples of the Differences Between the Shutter
Systems
5736482
•
•
Front Bumper Upper Shutter with the Front
Bumper Secondary (lower) Shutter attached (1),
as shown in the picture above.
Front Bumper Lower Shutter that mounts in the
front of Charge Air Cooler (2), as shown in the
picture above.
Service Procedure - Install Front
Bumper Lower (CAC) Shutter
Important: The Front Bumper Lower (CAC) Shutter is
a permanently retrofitted item. The added shutter is
activated to close and open based on temperature,
controlled by integral thermostatic springs.
Page 4
March, 2021
Note: Advise the customer to keep the shutter clear of
debris, including leaves and insects. The shutter should
be periodically cleaned with a soapy water spray,
especially right before the cold weather season begins.
1. Remove the Front Bumper Upper Shutter for
modification. Refer to Front Bumper Shutter
Replacement in SI.
2. Remove and discard the front bumper secondary
(lower) shutter assembly from the upper shutter.
Refer to Front Bumper Secondary Shutter
Replacement in SI.
Note: The secondary (lower) shutter assembly will
NOT need to be reinstalled in the future.
Bulletin No.: 18-NA-020
3. On the back of the now removed upper shutter,
using a saw blade, cut the upper shutter to
secondary (lower) shutter actuator at the pivot
location, as shown in the picture above. Remove
the linkage (1) and discard.
4. Reinstall the upper shutter.
5775942
5. Remove and discard the 4 Lower Air Baffle push-in
retainers (1), as shown in the picture above.
5279924
Bulletin No.: 18-NA-020
March, 2021
Page 5
5775943
6. Locate Front Bumper Lower (CAC) Shutter in front
of the lower air baffle and install the new, longer
retainers, as shown in the picture above.
7. Continue reinstalling the parts that were removed
during disassembly as part of Front Bumper
Shutter Replacement in SI.
Page 6
March, 2021
Bulletin No.: 18-NA-020
Examples of the Grill Opening Covers (Installation
instructions included in the part packaging)
5776421
Shown in the picture above are examples of the grill
opening covers for the Equinox (1), Terrain without
(RPO VK3) (2) and Terrain with (RPO VK3) (3).
*For warranty transactions, DO NOT mark this/these
parts as the Causal Part. Enter the word “Bulletin” in the
Causal Part Description free-flow text field.
Parts Information
Warranty Information
Causal
Part
Description
X
Charge Air Cooler
Causal
Part
Description
COVER PKGFRT GRL OPG
NA*
SHUTTER KIT FRT BPR LWR
(CAC Shutter)
RETAINER, FRT
BPR
SHUTTER BFL
Part
Number
RPO
84454110
LYX
84454111
LTG
Part
Number
RPO
84624274
(Equinox)
Without WBL
or WFP
84624275
(Equinox
with Redline/
Sport)
With WBL
or WFP
84630081
(Terrain
without front
license plate
bracket)
Without VK3
84648360
(Terrain with
front license
plate
bracket)
With VK3
For vehicles repaired under the Powertrain coverage,
use the following labor operation. Reference the
Applicable Warranties section of Investigate Vehicle
History (IVH) for coverage information.
Labor
Operation
11589291
x4
Labor Time
2.3 hrs.
(Equinox
RPO LTG)
4087008*
Perform Smoke Test for
Charge Air Cooler and
Charge Air Cooler
Replacement
2.4 hrs.
(Equinox
RPO LYX)
2.6 hrs.
(Terrain
RPO LTG)
2.4 hrs
(Terrain
RPO LYX)
0.2 hrs
(Equinox,
Terrain)
Add
Install Shutter Cover if also
Replacing Charge Air Cooler
1086018*
Perform Smoke Test and
Install Charge Air Cooler
Grille Cover
4087308*
Perform Smoke Test for
Charge Air Cooler and
Install Shutter Cover
1.3 hrs.
(Equinox,
Terrain)
Add
Removing and Cleaning
Charge Air Cooler if Frozen
and/or Contaminated
1.0 hrs.
(Equinox,
Terrain)
84826592
(Equinox)
84826591
(Terrain)
Description
LTG, LYX
0.6 hrs.
(Equinox)
0.5 hrs.
(Terrain)
*This is a unique Labor Operation for Bulletin use only.
Bulletin No.: 18-NA-020
March, 2021
Page 7
Version
14
Modified
Released January 22, 2018
Revised July 26, 2018 – Added Holden Equinox Model.
Revised October 19, 2018 – Updated the Cause and Correction.
Revised December 21, 2018 – Updated Additional Options, Correction, Parts Information
and Warranty Information.
Revised January 09, 2019 – Updated the Parts Information.
Revised February 19, 2019 – Added Envision also updated the Condition, Parts
Information and Warranty Information.
Revised March 19, 2019 – Updated the Service Procedure and Warranty Information for
Equinox/Terrain.
Revised May 15, 2019 – Updated the Warranty Information and adding flow chart.
Revised November 05, 2019 – Updated the Warranty Information.
Revised December 17, 2019 – Added 2020 Model Year.
Revised February 21, 2020 – Updated pictures for flow charts, also updated applicable
information within the bulletin including the Service Procedure Equinox/Terrain also Part
and Warranty Information.
Revised April 07, 2020 – Updated information for the following: Correction, Service
Procedure (Equinox/Terrain) and Warranty Information.
Revised February 11, 2021 – Added 2020-2021 Model Years for Equinox/Terrain, added
Examples of the Difference Between the Two Shutters information and updated
information under Service Procedure Equinox, Terrain.
Revised March 18, 2021 - Removed Buick Envision and updated applicable information
throughout the Bulletin.
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.
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