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I've left it outside in some pretty cold temps the past few weeks as my garage has my basement furniture in there while it was being refinished. A couple more weeks until the carpet arrives and then back into the heat, but my concern is the vehicle only has 18k on the clock after about 1.5yrs and it's dark already.
02-06-03-010 OCT 02 Battery - Parasitic Drain Information
If you have access to the TSBs or can ask your dealer you might want to find out what this TSB is in regards to.
Good luck
I have a 5/02 build Envoy XL SLT with no dead pedal, i never saw an SLT XL that had one. The truck in the car show didn't even have one. So don't feel bad. Maybe they put it in just the regular Envoy for 2002?
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I have a 2002 Envoy XL SLT 4X4, build date 2/02, and it has the plastic dead pedal you are referring to. Guess I got lucky.
This must be designed this way for some reason, maybe surge protection ?
As a side benefit of having the Vehicle Data Recorder attached to my '02 Envoy (to help diagnose my still-unresolved stalling problem), the VDR completely drained the battery after keeping all the computers awake overnight. I had it jumpstarted so I could drive down to the dealer, and everything still worked. The clock reset to 12:00, but no memory settings were lost, and the Bose worked fine.
I feel lucky I don't have the vibrating pedal issue (2WD 4.10 axle 16K miles), wandering mirrors, sluggish alternators, or stuck starters. My dealer attempted 6 times to fix the stalling issue, so now I'm pursuing a lemon law buyback. Otherwise it's been a great truck. When it doesn't die.</rant off>
calucyk Mar 10, 2003 6:40pm
The engine has variable valve timing (on the exhaust side only) which is what the cam phaser is related to. If you had a problem in that area and the valves weren't operating correctly then you could see a dramatic loss of power. That's just a guess; I would think the "fail-safe" mode of the cam would be some nominal setting and you would just lose the variable timing aspect. You never know, it could have been any of the various control modules losing their mind. This stalling at speed issue is being investigated by the NHTSA (sp?). I'm still suspicious that these shutdowns are "programmed", or at the least the software is extremely non-robust.
Frank
I have the head lamp washers in my '03. I wouldn't of ordered them but they came with the vehicle the dealer found for me. I've yet to use them.
Dave
I have the Envoy at the dealer today and since it doesn't set any code they gave me the standard "we can't find anything wrong".
2003 Envoy SLT, 4.2 I6, 1800 miles, 2 months old
Besides that it has been great (although it is still young).
To the people reading about all of the problems and getting worried: That is what these message boards are for. A year ago I was looking at rear projection TVs. Hometheaterspot.com was FULL of people complaining about problems they were having. I purchased one and have had no problems. Most people don't say anything unless something bad is happening.
Our 99 Grand Prix (74K) and 99 Olds Intrigue (74K) both have been in the shop 0 times. The message boards always had problems with both cars. We have had none. I think it is a matter of luck if you get a good vehicle or not. It shouldn't be that way, but there isn't much you can do (you can buy a Toyota, but they have problems also).
Just for the record, I had the following issues with my early build Envoy, so if any of you are maybe looking to pick one up used check these out:
The dash speakers picked up interference from the dashboard lighting.
The FM radio seemed prone to "whistling".
The tranny could be jerky going 1 - 2 when cold. I had the latest software update applied and it seemed worse...
The engine could be very noisy when cold with a tapping noise evident on part throttle, but it was fine when warm.
The engine fan still ran on cold startup sometimes despite several software updates.
The rubber trim above the windscreen fell off.
The light trim above the rear window warped.
The driver's seat control module failed.
The passenger seat belt would pinch.
The door mirrors would still sometimes fail to return to their proper position despite being replaced in a TSB.
The passenger door need re-alignment to cure a wind noise issue.
The wipers would sometimes jerk at lower speed settings.
The centre console squeaked until an attack of WD-40.
The heater would sometimes refuse to blow hot air to the feet.
The A/C sometimes just failed to work at all without restarting the engine.
A rear door catch broke.
Rustling noises eminate from the tachometer as the engine slows to idle.
Rattle areas cured with bits of foam included the glove box catch, the trim on the bottom of the front doors and the top of the plastic trim between the doors.
I don't regard this list as terrible, but it is irritating on a 30+k vehicle and GM can certainly do better. I can accept that first year vehicles are going to have problems, but the fact is I have previously owned a then brand new design Honda CR-V and I never had any problems at all. I chose a 4runner based on generally good experiences in tough environments around the world with Toyotas.
I'll finish by just noting a few design issues I think they still need to address on the Envoy:
The mirrors are too small. The ones on the 4runner give a much wider vertical view.
The truck rolls a lot in corners, and skid control should be offered.
The front seats could do with more lateral support.
The dashboard shape intrudes unnecessarily into the passenger knee space.
The front cupholders are poorly designed.
The front seat belt design is poor for tall people.
Why does the control on the steering wheel change CD's rather than tracks with the Bose Hi-Fi?
With that I guess I'll migrate to the 4runner forum. Enjoy your Envoys, but hang on to that warranty...
On my truck, there is a specific point halfway between warmed up and normal on the temp gauge, where the engine will die if I'm stopped at a light (or rolling from a stop). It seems to happen most often when the engine is cold, but it has also died when fully warmed up. Seems like a software problem since that is fairly consistent, but I have all the updates. Once fully warmed up and stopped, the idle dips about 100 rpm then goes back up, then dips a while later, then goes back up, etc.
It's been at the dealer 6 times for this problem. The throttle body, PCM, ignition, and lift gate modules were all replaced. The Vehicle Data Recorder couldn't capture any info because it drained the battery overnight (it kept waking up all the computers), so be careful if they want to install that in your truck.
My lemon law attorney is now handling this case. I'm hoping to have it resolved soon before I get rear-ended. It was an awesome truck for the first year, and it sounds like there are still quite a few happy triplet owners out there.
Let me know what your dealer says. I only know of one other person on a different board that has this problem.
"I have a 2002 SR5 V8 4x4 that that has the same vibration in two wheel drive mode that ricsch reported in discussion #1583!! "
"I have noticed in the morning when the engine is very cold right after starting it seems like their is a slight clanking noise coming from the engine."
Familiar?
I told the dealer to keep the truck the rest of the day and take it out for some more drives. It would falter for me ALL the time. I can't believe it isn't doing it for them. I think I'll take the service advisor for a drive when I pick it up tomorrow.
Thanks for your info - this message board provides some good information exchange.
And I think there may be more postings about Envoy issues here because Envoy owners are more intelligent than other SUV owners and know how to use a PC... :-)
They're not cheap however. They'll probably cost you roughly $300 for all the various pieces to carry two kayaks. A good investment though to avoid scratches and other accidents. You can see what they look like at:
http://www.yakima.com/products/dynamic/8004028_3.html
I AM OFFENDID BY THIS STATEMINT I DONE OWN A TRAILBLAZER AND I IS REEL GOOD AT USIN KOMPUTERS AND STUFF. YOUS GMC PEEPLE THINK YER BETTER THAN US JUST CUZ YOU OWN A ENVOY AND IT HAS A FAKE WOOD INTERIER. YOU GUYS IS DUMB.
Hey, we've got something in common! I have a '99 Intrigue GL and an '03 Envoy XL SLT. Anyways, it sounds like your Intrigue has been less problematic than mine. I'm already on my third battery! I'm very happy with it though, great car.
YOUS GMC PEEPLE THINK YER BETTER THAN US JUST CUZ YOU OWN A ENVOY AND IT HAS A FAKE WOOD INTERIER. YOU GUYS IS DUMB.
I resemble that!
Relax, it's just a joke.
"The transmisssion/engine tend to drone on the highway."
Tough to understand what you mean as it's relative. I hear no drone from either when on the highway. Only when I depress the gas and hear my intake do I hear any roar and that's a good roar
"The HVAC system sucks in Auto, never works right."
This I can relate to as I had my share of issues with the HVAC. Seems there have been a number of software upgrades and my guess is you need one. I've had my LTZ since June of 2001 and have gone through 3 so far. These are improvements to something that we all hope would work perfectly, but come on...I average a new car every 2 years and worked in the business. This is a first that a manufacturer has offered so many easy fixes like GM has for the HVAC system in the triplets. Seriously.
"The windshield rain sensor is worthless (give me a stalk and make it manual)"
My wife had a Benz with Rainsense and my LTZ works every bit as good. Not sure what you could be having issues with, but again, mine has been flawless.
"The HVAC/Radio blue light display is HOT to the touch if you are on a long drive."
Nothing new...my GTP is the same way. Right or wrong, I've never burned myself..but then I don't find myself touching them either.
"HID headlights should be offered."
Perhaps, but you can't really slam GM for that as you new it prior to your purchase. Besides, HID's do add quite a bit to the costs upfront and repairs. There are trade-offs.
"A friend put aftermarket bulbs in the stock assemblies and cooked the wire leads and they were only 70 watts as compared to the 51watt stock."
Again, not a GM thing...he was pretty lame for doing so. It's a common upgrade. Better warn him about his ceiling fixtures as his house too. Same thing or worse will happen there too.
"The wood grain trim inside is cheap at best"
Outside Benz and some high end imports...most aren't real wood. The Envoy actually looks pretty good. Cheap is what Toyota puts in the Corolla.
"What's professional grade? Where is it?!"
I'll let everyone else fill this in. There are tons of heavy duty upgrades. Especially when comparing GMC's to the imports that are more road worthy vs ours that can go offroad. Even if not used....there are features that make the Envoy/TB's pretty darn tough.
"Obviously true passionate driver's or car enthusiats did not develope this vehicle."
Interesting comment. Not sure what clues tip you off to this? What characteristics are tell tale signs of development by such folks? From what you've described, the Camery and Accord would fall into that group too. I disagree with that being applied to any of the three.
"I had to have a "come to Jesus meeting" with the service manager to get good service after my first visit where I was treated rudely and they tried passing the buck on sales dept. I guess I'm spoiled... having owned German vehicles for years now and getting great service."
That's a dealer/People issue, not just a manufacturer issue. Our dealerships went through ups and downs depending on the employees and what not. The dealership(s) my vehicles go to are awesome.
"This might be the last American vehicle I buy. Detriot should go to Germany or Europe and get some pointers what near perfection is. Maybe I should have bought the Ford Explorer intsead?!"
All of the Big Three are associated with the imports in some way. Just ask BMW where they get a lot of their tranny's. Saab? Daimler who? Jaguar/Volvo? hmmm...I could on. Not sure what you meant by the Ford Comment either. That's definitely not a move towards the import qualities you're in seach of.
Good luck with your vehicle. We all need to vent now and then.
Regards.
Audis and Volkswagons are some of the most problematic vehicles out there. Worse yet, the repair costs are astronomical.
Also, it isn't fair to compare the dealership experience of GMC to a luxury brand. When you pay 50 grand for an X5, of course you'll be treated well. Maybe you're right about being spoiled.
Happy motoring.
Chris
However, if Husky wanted to make some quick sales, I'll be a lot of us triplet owners w/o the dead pedal cover would be willing to buy the dead pedal piece of the Husky liner for about $20 to $25. I'd just Velcro it in place. Now that would be a real target market solution. I hope some of these after-market firms scan these forums for ideas. There is money to be made here.
*This area has been left blank intentionally for you to fill in with anything that ever took you longer than 15 seconds to remove from carpet :')
I had the displeasure of being involved in a minor multi-car non-injury accident on Monday afternoon. We were just starting to move after being stopped at a light, and the driver of a minivan decided to hit their brakes for no apparent reason (light was green and nobody in front of them), leaving the vehicle behind them (a Nissan Pathfinder) nowhere to go but into the minivan's liftgate. In turn, I skidded into the rear-mounted spare on the Pathfinder.
The mounted tire proceeded to eat my front grill, bug shield, hood, and part of the front bumper cover. The headlight assemblies and PIAA bulbs were spared. The driver side front fender was also pushed back into the driver side door. The spare took most of the impact, as we never kissed bumpers and the airbags did not deploy. Things under the hood were shifted somewhat and unpleasant noises could be heard, although there were no visible fluid leaks. Police showed up relatively quickly and we managed to make the afternoon traffic report as we kept things down to one lane for about an hour. (most of it was spent waiting for tow truck to arrive)
Damage to the older Dodge minivan: a broken tail light, a dented liftgate/rear bumper. Damage to the Pathfinder: minor damage to front bumper, a tear in his spare tire cover and a dented tailgate from the impact. Both of the other cars were able to just drive away. The Envoy was not drivable and was towed away on a flatbed to the nearest GM Bodyshop. My insurance company (GEICO) was outstanding. I had them on the phone while waiting for the tow to arrange for repairs. The adjuster called the next morning and had approved repairs by noon. (current repair estimate is about $4,000 pending them finding any additional damage) The dealership body shop (Team Chevrolet) is expediting the repairs to minimize the time I'll spend in a rental car. Will hopefully have the Envoy back on the road by the first or 2nd week in April.
Steve, Host