Stability System Failure

[ChadB]

Last night driving home it was -5F and then Hummer seemed fine.  Then suddenly on the highway it started losing power drastically.  Looking down at the dash it had the check engine light, traction control light, and said, “stability system failure.  Reduced power” just like this video (http://youtu.be/Mku-HKiOglw).  I hobbled into a gas station and shut it off for a bit then started it again.  Just like before it had a rough burbling idle so I shut it off and popped the hood.
 
I checked the oil because the last time I got the oil changed it was suspiciously low but it was fine.  Then looked for anything strange but again nothing.  Then went into the station to get a warm coffee.  When I returned I started it again and it was running smooth.  All lights and messages were off with the exception of the engine light so I drove on home.  Starting it and driving to work this morning was also without incident.
 
Looking online there seems to be a huge pile of reasons for that message.  Maybe I could just chalk it up to the extreme temperatures?  What I don’t understand is what the heck the stability system has to do with the engine’s power??  Why would it reduce the power? Dangerous thing to happen on the highway in extreme conditions.

[collega]

It's possibility that extremely cold weather create your problems. Try to see how it will be when outside temperature gonna be up!

[citiboy]

Check and load test the battery, if your H3 still have the POS oem battery terminal, replace it with something like this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DNU3MIG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
This is what i did to mine http://www.canadianhummerclub.com/forum/index.php?/topic/4752-replaced-battery-terminals/
 
Goodluck!

[ChadB]

Okay good to know.  Strangely once the temp rose the check engine light turned off and all systems are normal now.  So I dunno.  
 
What I do know is that I've always been a sports car guy and just bought the H3 as a winter car.  But man do I love this thing!  Dare I say love it more than my Mustang??  LOL  I've been sniffing around the area for an H2 but I don't know.  My H3 is really great.  Why the hell did they stop making Hummers?!?

[shotgun-cam]

Ok get truck to someone with a code reader or better yet get one. Statbility failure can be for any one of a number of issues even rough idling . if joined with an ABS fault it can be even an driveshaft failure or bad encoder ( Rhino has had both). Without a code ( and sometimes even with )it's a needle in the haystack condition. for a code reader try Princess Auto at about $100.00

[f1ipX]

same problem i had before after car wash.its an ABS sensor issues mine was right front ABS sensor,i bought a code reader with ABS functionality 
get it read with a code reader to figure out which sensor's  the problem.
 
if youre closed by i can lend you my code reader.
 
j

[johnnyspikesH3]

I never got around to changing the terminals but it is a soft spot on the rig. Like CitiBoy stated. I built her strong Chad run synthetic if you can. Scan it when get a chance.

[shotgun-cam]

Some reasons  for why no more Hummers
1 Gm went belly up in 2008 and governments required they slim down so Pontiac Saturn and Hummer lines killed off
2 Gm makes more $$$ selling licenced Hummer products toys and tee shirts than on trucks
3 if Gm sold brand they'd lose control of technology and name ie concept h4
4 Gm can reintroduce Hummer as a brand or truck type under gmc after a waiting period
5 GM has rid itself of Hummer dealerships without having to wait out contracts. Why lynch Hummer in US is now Adventure Sports

[ChadB]

Okay I bought a code reader.  I always wanted one and decided to pick it up.  However since then the issue has changed.  I have never again gotten that stability error, I think it was just the cold but ever since that event the H3 has been having some idle problems.  
 
When the vehicle is cold the idle is extremely rough and I get a check engine light.  Using the code reader it says P0305 which is a misfire on cylinder 5.  However after it gets up to full operational temp the rough idle stops and it runs completely normally.  
 
I was a little freaked out by this error because it sounds like signs of the dreaded bad head problem.  I sent a message to the previous owner and he said he already replaced the head once under warranty.  That of course doesn't mean it's not a problem again but I'm hoping it's a fouled spark plug or something less tragic.  I hope to take a look at that this weekend.

[Waldo]

I wonder if the p0305 could be from the dreaded intake manifold bolts, they back out after time on the I5, might be worth a shot.