2008 Malibu turn signal volume

uncledewey1

The turn signal volume is too low for me to hear if the radio or climate control fan is on. The Chevy dealer said: "Sorry, but that is the way the computer is programmed and the volume cannot be increased."

Anyone else have this problem and do you know of a solution?

Thanks, Uncle Dewey

uncledewey1

The indicator light is very difficult to see especially if facing the sun or the sun is shining into the car. Is there a way to make the light brighter or more visible?

Thanks, Uncle Dewey

uncledewey1

I have been writing to Chevrolet Pres and GM Pres, but the answers are the same that they cannot increase the volume. In previous cars I have had a light signal installed just above the windshield. The GM rep said that could be done by connecting the light to electrical feed to the trailer hitch, but they would not pay for it.

The one company they referred me to said it would be about two hours work at $200 per hour plus parts. Does anyone have any experience in this area. Is the electrical feed in an area I could easily reach. Or dose anyone have a solution for increasing the volume?

Feeling all alone. Uncle Dewey

uncledewey1

Does anyone know how a 2008 Malibu's accelerator or brakes are connected to the motor? I'm wondering if we have the same potential problems as Toyota's are experiencing.

Thanks, Dewey

malexbu

In previous cars I have had a light signal installed just above the windshield.
What were your previous cars with such a cool feature?

uncledewey1

The lights were always in Pontiac Bonnevilles. However, the truth is I did the first one myself. When I bought my next new Bonneville GM had a program to provide extra support for those with handicaps and since I wear hearing aids I qualified. I was sent to an outside vendor who did the work, but he was using my idea. In some other cars I put in a heavy duty flasher unit which made more noise, but those flasher units are no longer used--all the flashing work is done by the computer

I had installed a small light inside a small copper tube which I had painted black and the wires ran at the top of the windshield (out of sight) and then behind the molding of the post between the windshield and driver side door. When I did it I had the wiring diagrams for the car and could find the correct wires by their color. I was also younger and more agile--standing on ones head with my feet up over the back of the driver seat and peering under the dash board takes some one younger than I am today.

This not just a problem for those of us with hearing aids--try it yourself by having your radio and climate control fan on at the same time and the odds are you will not hear the flasher. I can remember some cars of yore had lights on the front fenders so you could see the lights flashing. To me it is a design problem, but GM just doesn't care.

Uncle Dewey (or is it GrandPa?)

malexbu

The lights were always in Pontiac Bonnevilles. However, the truth
is I did the first one myself.

Ah, that explains it -- I was puzzled about what stock car
could have provided that feature.

When I bought my next new Bonneville GM had a program to provide
extra support for those with handicaps and since I wear hearing aids I
qualified.

That was then and now is now. What has improved in this
country over the last ten or twenty years? Air travel? Health care?
Education, perhaps?...

The quality of cars has improved -- but "extra support from GM"?
Now?...

I was also younger and more agile--standing on ones head with my
feet up over the back of the driver seat and peering under the dash
board takes some one younger than I am today.

That's actually very impressive. My respect, seriously.

This not just a problem for those of us with hearing aids--try it
yourself by having your radio and climate control fan on at the same
time and the odds are you will not hear the flasher.

I know that I won't and I didn't -- neither in Malibu nor in
Bonneville 1999 that I had owned for six years. I know I ought to be
attentive and remember about the turn signals. In roughly half cases,
I don't even move the turn signal lever to its final position -- I
hold it lightly with my left hand until I make a turn, then let it go
(as if I was switching lanes.) No big deal for me -- if I sometimes
forget to move back the lever immediately, it will get released
somehow down the road :-)

I can remember some cars of yore had lights on the front fenders so
you could see the lights flashing. To me it is a design problem, but
GM just doesn't care.

And they probably never will again. And Chrysler won't. And, most
likely, Ford. What do you do? Buy a Mercedes or Toyota. :-)

In any case, the Base Malibu Sedan 2005 is incomparable better than
the semi-luxury Bonneville 1999 SLE, even if about twice less
expensive. That is some progress for me. :-)