I have been having warm start issues, particularly bad gas mileage in the city (11mpg), and recently started noticing loss of power for a month or 2 and finally got around to taking it in to the dealer today. From everything I've been reading on these forums it sounds to me like a compression issue, but the dealer just told me that the SSV is stuck.

I have 2004 AT with just over 90k miles on it. Could ALL of these symptoms be caused by a stuck SSV or is this just the dealer trying to avoid a new engine under warranty? Based on my knowledge (which admittedly isn't the best), the SSV could cause problems with the gas mileage and loss of power, but I don't see how it would only affect startup if it was hot.

I have not gotten a CEL for this. I may have the old starter, I'm not sure, but it starts just fine when the engine is cooled off, so I know it isn't entirely the fault of an old starter.

I tried searching but couldn't really find anything about the symptoms of a stuck SSV, so I thought I would ask.

 

dealers will try to push cost on you just making **** up. Don't go for it. Tell them to guarantee this will fix or your money back.

If you really think it's a compression issue, ask them if they did a compression test. If they didn't, it might be in your best interest to ask for one before you pay them to replace or fix anything else.

You might also have someone else do the work since it's not under warranty, but I would probably just pay for the compression test regardless to know for sure.

 

Do a engine compression test. Then, you will find out what's really wrong with your car. Stealerships will say anything to avoid cost of the dealership.

 

You could always use a long screwdriver to cycle the SSV.
Then if it moves freely, tell them its not stuck and move to compression testing.

 

well is a 4 port auto so you can move it with your hand

 

I was able to freely move the SSV actuator with my finger, so seems that its not a physical block in there. I'm thinking maybe its the solenoid, if the SSV is really not working properly. I found Jon's thread about how to check the solenoid once it's been removed, but I can't figure out how to remove it without taking the whole damn car apart. Is there an easy way to remove it so I can check it?

 

well this is what i did and it work

 

I was about to try that myself, then I figured, why not just have somebody rev it up and see if the actuator moves? Now I have a video of it moving perfectly fine, so I'm taking it back to the dealer now with that video.