Pop when backing up and surge at stop lights

[bravosierra2010]

I just finished 500 miles in my new 2013 Sonic RS with automatic transmission. I really like the car. There are two things I want to know if anyone else has experienced.

1. When reversing out of a parking spot with the wheel turned slightly in either direction, I have noticed a distinct POP sound occurring after about 6 feet of movement. It sound like I ran over a closed plastic bottle that went pop. This has occurred about 4 times.

2. When at a stop light with the transmission in drive, after about 7 seconds, there is a slow surge oscillation. It's like the transmission is applying more force then dropping off. The revs stay constant. The problem disappears if I put the transmission in neutral.

Lastly, I purchased the GoPoint BT1 OBDII Bluetooth adapter and
DashCommand for the phone. It is really great. I like looking at the boost gauge (14 PSI max) and the other data it tracks. It works well.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

I just finished 500 miles in my new 2013 Sonic RS with automatic transmission. I really like the car. There are two things I want to know if anyone else has experienced.

1. When reversing out of a parking spot with the wheel turned slightly in either direction, I have noticed a distinct POP sound occurring after about 6 feet of movement. It sound like I ran over a closed plastic bottle that went pop. This has occurred about 4 times.

2. When at a stop light with the transmission in drive, after about 7 seconds, there is a slow surge oscillation. It's like the transmission is applying more force then dropping off. The revs stay constant. The problem disappears if I put the transmission in neutral.

Lastly, I purchased the GoPoint BT1 OBDII Bluetooth adapter and
DashCommand for the phone. It is really great. I like looking at the boost gauge (14 PSI max) and the other data it tracks. It works well.

Hi there,

Congrats on your recent purchase! I would be happy to look into this further for you, and connect with your preferred dealership regarding these concerns. If you would like any assistance, please do not hesitate to send me a private message along with your VIN, current mileage, contact information and the dealership name. Hope to hear from you soon.

Patsy G
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[bravosierra2010]

Thank you Patsy. I will send details by PM.

 

[SonicBoy24]

I just finished 500 miles in my new 2013 Sonic RS with automatic transmission. I really like the car. There are two things I want to know if anyone else has experienced.

1. When reversing out of a parking spot with the wheel turned slightly in either direction, I have noticed a distinct POP sound occurring after about 6 feet of movement. It sound like I ran over a closed plastic bottle that went pop. This has occurred about 4 times.

2. When at a stop light with the transmission in drive, after about 7 seconds, there is a slow surge oscillation. It's like the transmission is applying more force then dropping off. The revs stay constant. The problem disappears if I put the transmission in neutral.

Lastly, I purchased the GoPoint BT1 OBDII Bluetooth adapter and
DashCommand for the phone. It is really great. I like looking at the boost gauge (14 PSI max) and the other data it tracks. It works well.

1. Sounds like your sway bar bushings.
I had the same sound, same conditions.
Took my car to the dealership and they replaced both bushings, one on each side, with less than 4,000 miles on the car.
Sound has been gone since and other members have had this problem.

2. The transmission is supposed to, but apparently doesn't, shift into neutral at stop lights.
The idea behind this is slightly better mpg.
The computer is supposed to shift into neutral when stopped to save a little fuel, and shift back in gear once you release the brake.
My car has never done this and is only occasionally an issue.
I believe you can have the ECM flashed so that the car will shift into neutral like designed if you pressure your dealership enough.

 

[RMinNJ]

shifting into neutral

Yeah, my 2012 LT does not shift into neutral when sitting at a stop light...
I'm positive as I would feel something like a I do when I shift into neutral manually.

The re-flash sounds interesting.. I wonder what it else the re-flash affects?

 

[Blue Moon Sonic]

There is a TCM update for the 2012's with this issue. I do believe that a trifecta tune will also solve this issue though if you want to keep your warranty I would just go to the dealership and do the re-flash.

 

[bravosierra2010]

Thank you very much for this info!

 

[SonicBoy24]

There is a TCM update for the 2012's with this issue. I do believe that a trifecta tune will also solve this issue though if you want to keep your warranty I would just go to the dealership and do the re-flash.

What would be have to do to get the update?

 

[Blue Moon Sonic]

What would be have to do to get the update?

He'd probably have to go to the dealership just to get it fixed. though i'm not sure if the 2013's even had the TSB the 2012's had. I may just be completely wrong on this subject and it might not even be the transmission and there is something else that is wrong with the vehicle. For all I know it could be incorrectly gaped spark plugs but he's not getting any misfire codes and the boost is completely stable when he's running the car.