Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

18-NA-020
October, 2023

TECHNICAL
Subject:

Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illuminated with DTCs P0300, P0299, P0234 and/or
P2227 Set
This Bulletin replaces PIP5511A. Please discard PIP5511A.

Brand:

Model:

Chevrolet

Equinox

GMC

Terrain

Model Year:

VIN:

from

to

from

to

2018

2024

-

-

Engine:

Transmission:

Equipped with 2.0L
or 1.5L Engine
(RPOs LTG,
LYX, LSD)

All

Involved Region or Country

United States 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 P0300, P0299, P0234 and/or P2227 set or
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: Frozen oil/water condensate contaminant in the Turbocharger Wastegate
Regulator Solenoid Valve (TCV) is often concurrent with vehicle operation conditions that
cause CAC freezing. If DTC P0234 is set - Turbocharger Wastegate Regulator Solenoid
Valve Inspection.
Important: For additional information on Oil/Moisture Condensate Freezing Up in the
Turbocharger Wastegate Regulator Solenoid Valve, refer to Service Procedure (Part 1).
Important: Look at the shutter through the lower grill opening to make sure it is not being
restricted by debris such as grass or insects. An obstruction will prevent the shutter from
operating correctly in both cold and warmer temperatures, decreasing its effectiveness in
cold weather, and hindering engine performance in warmer temperatures.

Instruct the vehicle owner to periodically check the shutter and spray it off to
keep it clean and performing as intended.
Copyright 2023 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Page 2

October, 2023

Bulletin No.: 18-NA-020

Important: Service agents must comply with all
International, Federal, State, Provincial, and/or
Local laws applicable to the activities it performs
under this bulletin, including but not limited to
handling, deploying, preparing, classifying,
packaging, marking, labeling, and shipping
dangerous goods. In the event of a conflict between
the procedures set forth in this bulletin and the
laws that apply to your dealership, you must follow
those applicable laws.
Note: If the charge air cooler is not leaking, but is
frozen and/or contaminated, remove, thaw, wash it out
and reinstall. Use labor operation 4087008 (Add Cleaning and Reinstalling Charge Air Cooler if Frozen
and/or Contaminated). If there is a shutter already
installed, spray it off while it is removed for the charge
air cooler thaw and rinse operation.
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.

Service Procedure - Charge Air Cooler
Diagnosis
Part 1
Inspect the Turbocharger Control Valve (TCV) to
ensure it is not frozen.

6055068

3. Using clean shop air regulated to 80-100 PSI
(551-689 kPa), blow through all three ports (1, 2
&3) for 5 seconds each. Repeat this step twice.
Note: Check port #2 to assure the spring gets lifted off
the seat. This will be determined by the compressed air
not dead heading when applied to port #2. When
applying air to this port a small amount of air should be
observed at port #3 and even less air will be noticed at
port #1. If this does not happen, the TCV plunger may
have hardened deposits from hot operating conditions
which will impede TCV plunger movement, and the
Turbocharger Wastegate Regulator Solenoid Valve
should be replaced.

6055063

1. Remove Turbocharger Wastegate Regulator
Solenoid Valve.
2. Drain Turbocharger Wastegate Regulator Solenoid
Valve (TCV) by turning valve upside down.
6055077

4. Prior to reinstalling the TCV, pre-position the
thermal wrap, as shown in the picture above. This
will aid in installation of the wrap once the TCV is
reinstalled.

Bulletin No.: 18-NA-020

October, 2023

6055079

• This is an off-car view of the wrap installed on
the TCV and is representative of what final
installation should look like. The snap can NOT
be completed prior to installing the
mounting bolt
5. Reinstall Turbocharger Wastegate Solenoid Valve
(TCV) using the latest service information.

Page 3

6055111

6. Once the mounting bolt and hoses are properly
installed, pull the lower portion of the wrap upward,
and snap it into position
7. Clear all DTC's using GDS and evaluate
8. Continue on to Part 2.
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.
Part 2
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.

6055084

Page 4

October, 2023

Bulletin No.: 18-NA-020

Chart Based Conditions

Model
Years

Condition

Replace
Charge Air
Cooler – (CAC)
Refer to Charge
Air Cooler
Replacement
on SI.

20182022

CAC
Leaking ONLY

X

-

-

-

-

2018

CAC Frozen (Built
Before March 1,
2018) *

X

X

X

Temperature
Averages are
BELOW 32F/
0C **

-

20182020

CAC Frozen (Built
After March 1,
2018) *

-

X

X

Temperature
Averages are
BELOW 32F/
0C **

-

20182020

CAC Frozen &
Leaking

X

X

X

Temperature
Averages are
BELOW 32F/
0C **

-

20182024
(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 **

-

20212024
(has not
had CAC
shutter
installed)

CAC Frozen
(Without
RPO VRI)

-

X

X

Temperature
Averages are
BELOW 32F/
0C **

-

20212024

CAC Frozen &
Leaking (Without
RPO VRI)

X

X

X

Temperature
Averages are
BELOW 32F/
0C **

-

20212024

CAC Frozen (With
RPO VRI)

-

Temperature
Averages are
BELOW 32F/
0C **

-

20212024

CAC Frozen &
Leaking (With
RPO VRI)

-

Temperature
Averages are
BELOW 32F/
0C **

-

20182024

P0299 or P0234
Or CAC Frozen
(with or without
VRI) (LYX
/LSD ONLY)

-

-

-

-

Engine Control
Module Reprogramming
with SPS (20182024) and Install
TCV Thermal
Wrap
(2018-2022)

20182024

CAC Not Frozen
or Leaking

-

-

-

-