2005 and Earlier Chevrolet Impala

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Comments

  • hank64hank64 Member Posts: 37
    I bought my 2000 LS about 20 months ago. It now has approximately 20,000 miles. About six months ago it started having the hesitation problem. I have had the PCM replaced, the harness to it replaced and the PCM reprogrammed. The problem still exists. The dealership has been very cooperative, but doesn't yet have a cure from GM - who is aware of the problem in general. There is a TSB out which didn't work in my case. The service manager told me GM is working on another.
    As with everyone else, the hesitations occur intermittently. The one thing that IS consistent - which I just recently realized - is that the hesitation does not occur immediately after start-up. The car will run fine after start-up for about five to ten seconds. Then it will falter, hesitating or stuttering with not enough power to move the vehicle (a very unsafe sequence). Usually, after the hesitations go on for about eight to fifteen seconds, the engine smooths out and everything runs fine. The fact that it runs fine before faltering seems significant to me. I was wondering if this is the case with others who have the problem?
    If this occurred some long years ago, I would say it might be vapor lock, but that no longer happens. Right?
  • regulator75regulator75 Member Posts: 31
    Because it ALWAYS happens to me.

    It doesn't matter how long I drive my 01 LS (0301 BD) But whenever I turn off the ignition and get out of the car, all I hear is are clicks and pops.

    What could this be?
  • That happens to all of my cars to some extent or another. I believe it's the sound of the fluids settling in the various parts and reservoirs of the engine compartment, and the sound of the metal contracting as it cools.

    Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.
  • fathertyriciusfathertyricius Member Posts: 116
    and all is smooth and great. The car is performing like a charm, Quiet, responsive, and fun to drive. Teo.. If you are still reading these posts... let it be known that you are truly missed. You were a powerful voice on this forum.
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    He is still reading these posts, and is posting in other forums.
  • morphius909morphius909 Member Posts: 67
    My car runs smooth as the first day that I bought it. The hesitation is quite intermittent, and no rough idle, or rough starts ever occur.

    Might need some injector cleaner fluid init, or maybe downthe road the PCMneeds to be reprogrammed or whatever.

    Not a big concern, just want to know what is up:)

    Thanks Folks.

    Paul
  • gusman2gusman2 Member Posts: 9
    Ok, so, be honest with me...

    Anyone else having clicking problems even after a new cradle was installed?

    If so, what have you done about it?

    Just want to get some inital feedback... I will post my story after dinner or early tomorrow.

    Later!
    -Gus
  • lrcobralrcobra Member Posts: 82
    Well the Silver Bullet is back and is fine form. The replacement of the valve body is done and the tranny seems to be working fine. Although we haven't driven much on it yet I hope it is going to be the way it is supposed to be. The total cost was $124 dollars and some change. The cost was for the service on the tranny that had to be done in order for GM to cover the labor and parts to change out the valve body in the tranny. Not bad for being out of warrenty I thought. Will let you all know in a few days if the problem is gone for good. Keep your fingers crossed.
    LRCobra
    PS almost talked the wife into trading for a '01 sandrift LS that was on the lot when we picked up ours. 0% interest sounds appealing. They are looking for a silver one on other lots. If one is found we may be the owners of a new one soon.
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    Why don't you seed if you can get a new car out of it.
    I would start a file with GM, and get a representative form Chevy to come hear it.
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    Ever since edmunds moved the impala radio thread to General Sedans it has been dead. Nobody has posted in 4 days there.
  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    I found two more performance meters and some really nice car related Java and Palm OS programs. If you were thinking of changing tire/rim sizes, you need to check out the Palm programs. If you don't have a Palm OS based computer, I highly recommend Handspring units. If you just want tire size combination possibilities, let me know and I'll load the program on my Visor and crunch the numbers for you.


    http://home.hawaii.rr.com/impala/

  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    I found another kit that may work on the Impala. Its on the Accessory page. Look at the MotorSports Performance website.
  • crosley4crosley4 Member Posts: 295
    Our 2k LS (car build date 8-99, cradle build date 7-99) had a new cradle installed on 9-14-2001 at 43,009 miles. 1k miles later all is quiet!!!

    We may go look at new trucks today. 0% to 4.9 % from GMAC is interesting. I am probably upside down in my 2000 Silverado, the result of putting very little down on it.

    Our house is financed thru GMAC too. Seems like I am only working to pay GMAC.... LOL
  • I never understood why they moved that topic to the general Sedans forums. It made absolutely no sense. It was a discussion for Impala owners!

    How would we get it put back? Maybe if we all request it, they'll move it back where it belongs. Hey Pat! Are you listening?
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    Congratulations on the outcome of problem with your impala.What will you be buying next?
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Yeah, garypen, I'm here - funny you should mention that.

    To be honest with you, I never understood why I was told to move it here in the first place. I am already looking into a better solution. However, if you "subscribe" to this discussion, you will always find it by "Reading Subscriptions" or going to your "Message Center" if it has new posts, no matter where it is located.

    But just hang in here for a bit, okay? I'm already trying to get it more logically placed even before you made your post today.

    Pat
    Host
    Sedans Message Board
  • You da man/woman/person!
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    Thanks for looking into it. Perhaps there could be a General Sedans section just like there is a Sedans or SUV section.
    Or maybe, General Sedan discussions could be a subheading of Sedans so that onece we have scrolled down the page ther will be "Impala Radio" etc.
    If somebody posts on "Impala Radio" it will not go to the top of the Sedans page but to the top of General Sedans.
    Does that make sense?
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    So, in this case it would be under Chevy Lumina who's last post was August 16,2001.
    I guess Sedan Comparisons could also be a subheading, but maybe Archived Sedans shouldn't have one.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Um, well actually the Radio discussion IS in the "General Sedans" folder which is indeed a subheading of Sedans. And if you leave your preferences at the default settings, a new post in that discussion will take it to the top of the General Sedans board.

    Maybe I'm not following exactly what you mean?

    Anyway, in my previous post I said "move it here" - I have spent much of the afternoon on the General Sedans board trying to clean it up and I mistakenly thought I was still there and in the Impala Radio discussion when I said "here" (meaning General Sedans board) - oops, sorry, I see now that wasn't the case.

    Anyway, as I said, give me a little time. I'm trying to make a little more sense out of the whole Sedans board overall. The "General Sedans" folder is not having a lot of success as a separate entity.

    Let me see what I can work out with some other folks around here.

    Pat
    Host
    Sedans Message Board
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Oooh, b4z, I'm trying to hang with you, but I don't understand what you mean?

    Sorted by last post (the default), Chevy Lumina is the last active discussion on the Sedans board (which means it appears as the last discussion on the second page of the main Sedans board). I don't think it would be very helpful to have an active discussion which has a post dated, say today, appear after a discussion dated almost 45 days ago?

    I'm thinking maybe you are not aware of the folder links at the top of the main Sedans board? There is one for the Comparisons board, one for the General board and one for the Archives and then the current discussion list follows.

    To me, the real solution is to subscribe to discussions of interest and use either your Message Center or Read Subscriptions to keep up with new posts. But in addition to that, you also need to every now and then check out the main discussion lists on the boards that interest you so that you don't miss any new discussions.

    Well, I hope this is at least somewhat helpful. And if I can get things more streamlined around here, maybe all of this will be moot.

    Thanks.

    Pat
    Host
    Sedans Message Board
  • hunter39hunter39 Member Posts: 375
    I click on the Impala Owners Club link at the top of the page and it shows me all folders related to the Impala, if there are new posts since I last visited then I can see how many and under what heading. If I want to read I open it...
  • 00impala00impala Member Posts: 474
    I called and talked to the Service Director and made an appt. for Tuesday, He was nice to me and said they would be able to track down the noise. Their "Front End Guy" is a very experienced man, I had him look at my sisters Malibu a few years ago when no one could figure out a clunk and recently on my Wifes Z24 he tightened every bolt, Twice and they replaced the Steering Shaft, Steering Rack and other things (bushings etc) but the sound was still there, they took the position not of "Thats all we can do, sorry,see ya" but they said " NOW WE ""HAVE"" TO FIGURE THIS OUT" more like they ""HAD"" to know what the source of the problem was, they were in contact with GM to compare notes and repair histories on other Cavaliers, We sold the car after 6 mos of clunks and bought a new 2001 Impala, I hope they are as Courteous with my Impala LS Noises, Also I noticed a rattle in the Right Rear door area, after spraying the seat back latches with WD40, I noticed it was still there, I found the source of this last night, it is the actual door, When the door is closed and I push "in" on the window frame or around the Door handle the door seems to go inward about a 1/2 inch and squabbles on the Rubber Mouldings, the Drivers Side does not move "in" at all when I push on it, I will have them adjust the door, it must move slightly while I drive, causing the squabbling noise. Thanks Don
  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    I found another cold air induction kit that should fit the Impala (hey garnes, where are you?) and an item called a U-Bend Replacement that would work on our cars and flow exhaust gases better.


    http://home.hawaii.rr.com/impala/

  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    It will be hosted on the Owners Club board only, perhaps as soon as tomorrow.

    I hope this reduces the confusion in finding it - hunter39 explained how to follow all Impala-related discussions easily by using the link to the Owners Board that appears at the top of this page. Using subscriptions is also another option.

    (If anybody has any specific questions about subscriptions, or anything else related to navigating around Town Hall, come over and ask me in Welcome to the Sedans Message Board - that's a great place to talk about such things.)

    Pat
    Host
    Sedans Message Board
  • bh0001bh0001 Member Posts: 340
    Waaaay back on August 8th there was a water ban imposed in Guelph, banning all outdoor water use including residential car washing. My poor beloved Impala suffered the indignity of living life mostly dirty since the only way to properly clean it is a loving hand-wash and treatment with Zaino products (I did take "Hooloo" to a wand wash a couple of times and one time through a touchfree wash, but it's not the same). Well, on Thursday they FINALLY lifted the water ban. I spent about 5 hours today lovingly detailing the exterior. It is sooooo nice to have my clean car back! Navy Blue ROCKS!
    Brad
  • bh0001bh0001 Member Posts: 340
    I too have experienced the "funny" shifting between 1st and 2nd - like it can't decide which gear it wants to be in. Not hesitation, just a "searching" for the correct gear. I noticed it first very shortly after I brought my car home in May. I still occasionally notice it, but it seems to have mostly gone away. Actually, I think what has happened is I have altered how I apply the gas when I'm in that "funny" shift zone. It must just be an idiosyncrasy of the transmission. It's worth putting up with since otherwise the transmission is silky smooth.

    Try this sometime. Start from a dead stop. Squeeze the throttle firmly and quickly to the floor (you know, the kind of start that doesn't squeal the tires, but it does push you back in your seat). Hold it there. Every shift is like silk. I love it!
  • The kind that doesn't squeal the tires? That's the only way I know! ;-)
  • this_is_nascarthis_is_nascar Member Posts: 199
    I've seen some with intermitent FOB issues have their FOBS replaced and others having the master unit replaced as recommended by the TSB.

    For those that had the master unit replaced, what is the process involved in doing this? Do they have to take the dash apart?
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    I posted the 1-2 shift problem a couple of days after i got my car. It seems to hold first longer than my intrigue did. I thas gotten better with age though.

    If you really want to give the tranny fits, accelerate hard and then let off the gas a little before it shifts into second. It will go spastic on you.
  • bearmerbearmer Member Posts: 37
    Re #5725 by 00impala: Don't put WD40 on moving parts. If you look closely at the can the word lubrication isn't used. It's a solvent which has a volitile component which evaporates, leaving a sticky residue that looks and feels like molasses. It just gums things up. The only use for it on a car that I know of is to clean road tar off of painted surfaces which can't stand stronger measures.

    Re #5703 by regulator75: The clicking noise after you shut off the ignition is called heat soak. After the engine is shut down the heat redistributes itself; some parts get hotter and some cooler. The snapping noises I hear from my car and others always sound like the exhaust sheet metal. What happens in heat soak isn't trivial because I think that heat sensitive parts can be damaged if the engineers aren't conscious of what's going on.
  • jeffbogjeffbog Member Posts: 63
    I had roughly 14K trouble free miles, then the front end problems others have talked about started happening to me. I had the steering rack replaced, the intermediate steering shaft and the cradle replaced. The problems never went away. In fact they got worse over time. With a few other problems relating to starting and a clunk in the rear end, my car was out of service over 20 days since March. I opened a case file with customer service 800-222-1020 and 7 months and dozens of calls later, GM/Chevy finally stepped up to the plate and repurchased my car. By doing so, GM has kept me as a customer. GM needs to work on the amount of hand offs and departments that get involved, but the end result is what counts. I know I bumped heads with Teo on this forum a few times, but his approach was sound. I recommend you do the same. Good luck.
  • jpstaxjpstax Member Posts: 250
    I thought I read where the '96 Impala SS ran a 0-60 in 6.7 secs. It sticks out in my mind because my wife's 2000 Regal GSE also does 0-60 in 6.7 secs. My '98 Lumina LTZ with the 3800 engine is supposed to run a 0-60 in 7.7 seconds, and weighs less than the present Impala LS. Maybe the new Impala LS is that fast. I'd re-check your info.
  • 00impala00impala Member Posts: 474
    Yea, I use it for tar removal and a few other things of that sort, I was just pushing on the seatback and thought maybe it was the split seatback latches making the noise, it is not those they are fine... It is the actual door itself. Thanks Again Don
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    The LT1 SS will not do it in 6.7 seconds. More like
    7-7.5 seconds.
  • nick01nick01 Member Posts: 84
    b4z is right, John. I had the '95 SS. I never ran it on a clock myself, but the car mags called it 7.1
    I also had the '98 monty carlo 3800. MotorTrend called it 7.7
    I had a '98 Buick 3.8 205HP MotorTrend called it 7.4
    I think the Impala was 7.7 also.
    Like I said before: On the track a few tenths can make a big difference. But around town - everyday driving you would hardly notice the difference.
    I'll say one thing about the SS. When you put it on the floor, that big V-8 would roar and make a noise like a thrashing machine. And would scare hell out of my wife. :*) But it was basically a Caprice 4dr sedan and all the weight that went with the caprice. Even the title did not mention Impala. It said Caprice 4dr sedan.

    Nick
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    If you would like to push your impala stereo, here is the ticket.
    Get "Synchronocity" by the Police. Adjust your bass setting -1 notch and your treble settings +1 notch.
    Turn the volume up all the way to the last bar on the readoout. Trust me, you won't blow anything.
    Go to the track, "Wrapped Around Your Finger" and let it fly. You may want to roll down the passenger window to save your ears.
    Then go to the next track "Tea in the Sahara" turn it all the way up. The bass drum and guitar are killer in this song.
    Then play the first few bars of "Murder by Numbers" turned all the way up. The bass will literally peel the package tray and door panels off, with no bottoming of the woofers.
    It is awesome!
    These bass and treble setting only sound good with large volume settings. i would probably turn the bass to flat at lower volumes.
    let me know what you think.
  • jpstaxjpstax Member Posts: 250
    My apologies. I thought for sure the Impala SS ran faster than a 7.1 0-60. I guess that extra weight makes a difference. Still, the Impala SS was an awesome machine. I hope they bring it back again next year, now that the Camaro will be officially dead after this year. I think Chevy is going to have to offer an affordable performance car as an alternative to the expensive 'Vette.
  • Try replacing those stock speakers, and you'll really hear a difference. Trust me.
  • ghostwolfghostwolf Member Posts: 91
    I have read where people have had some movement in their seat. I am starting to get a little shifting from time to time. I was wondering if GM knows about this problem, or how any of you who took your car to the dealer had this fixed?

    any info about the moving seat would be appreciated.

    thanks
    ghostwolf
  • harrakaharraka Member Posts: 24
    Hi, I'm mainly a lurker here, but I posted before about a transmission problem with the shift from 1-2. At 4,000 miles the trans was taking a long time to shift between 1 and 2. The engine rpm's would spike just about before the shift. We took it to the dealer and they replaced a control module. They could not replicate it at the dealer (it happened on a cold start) but the computer kicked out a code so they went from there to fix it. Now have 22,500 and running like a charm ever since.
  • That's the same thing happening to me with my tranny! I'm at approx 5K. It's been doing it for at least 2K now. I will have them look at it, when I go in to have my seat replaced.

    Speaking of which, ghostwolf, I have had a loose seatback for months now. The first time I brought it in, they said right away it was defective seat rails, but their "trim" guy wasn't in.

    I brought it back, and they said nothing was wrong with the seat! "That's how they're made". I complained, and they suddenly found it needed a new recliner. (What happened to the rails?)But, they needed to order the part.

    After they got the part, I brought it in a third time. They supposedly replaced the recliner, and it's worse than ever. So, I sent them a letter explaining my dissatisfaction. I got a letter from them yesterday, but haven't had a chance to read it.

    The main problem is that the seat back has a lot of play. Whenever I hit the brakes, it jerks forward. Very annoying, to say the least. The headrest also has a lot of play. The whole seat assembly seems pretty cheaply designed and constructed, as does the rear bench and seatback. (I had removed the rear to install new speakers on the rear deck.)
  • hunter39hunter39 Member Posts: 375
    SweetPolly has her rails replaced when she got the shifting seat, mine started as just a slight "tick" and progressed to a more pronounced sound and movement that I could no longer live with. It was listed under special order parts: 16607860 and 16807200 "adjuster nuts".

    They replaced under warranty no problem.

    Hope that helps.
  • hvan3hvan3 Member Posts: 630
    You said the dealer replaced the control module. Is there a p/n listed on your workorder?
  • 00impala00impala Member Posts: 474
    I mentioned it once at the Service Dept and got the typical response,Cant replicate at this time(I still have my recipt,if I want to mention it again someday?)It is in the seat track,The seat backs do rock when you push on them, but the stopping action movement is in the part bolted to the floor where it meets the part bolted to the underside of the seat. I have been in a few LS's and they all exhibit this to one degree or another, I just called about my car and they said they have (1) 2002 "Cradle" in stock if that is broken and rattling, I have to call back in the morning. It is still on the rack right now being checked out.....Uhhhhhh.....I have the Early Cradle since my car was made 11/99......Don
  • My rails do it to some extent, but the vast majority of movement is in the seat back. It wasn't that way when I first got it, and it's really unacceptable. None of my other cars have ever done that. My CL's seats are "like a rock" as far as stability is concerned, which is kind of ironic.
  • 00impala00impala Member Posts: 474
    They do move, and it can irritate! Makes me think of the seats in my old '78 Ford Fairmont Futura I drove in High School, When I would stop fast the psgr. side seatback would come flying foward, and they always had those latches on the bottom back of the seat that seemed to never work at all? I mean never...they were there to depress to gain access to the Huge backseat, but all you had to do was pull it foward and they were never ever latched.

    Get this, I remember my uncle owning a 1974 Vega and the passenger side seat was "FIXED" in position, It was a Bucket type seat but had no foward or rear movement,of course no recline, Just bolted to the floor and it didn't move at all,the seatback just rotated foward to gain access to the rear seat, it came that way from the Factory, Glad those days are over! Don
  • The Big Four really made some serious crapola back then.
    Although, I did have a 76 Mustang that I got used in the early 80's that I was pretty happy with. Zippy, relatively solid, little coupe.
  • wem003wem003 Member Posts: 10
    I've read a lot on the this board, and it seems like when people have problems they are mostly related to the engine cradle for 2000 models, and warped brake rotors. That and a few misc. details.

    I am thinking about taking advantage of the 0% on a 2001 Impala LS. I'm off to take a look at it now, but I'm a bit wary. For those of you that have 2001's, have these problems been solved, and are you experiencing any other common "2001 Impala" problems?

    Thanks,

    Eric
  • 00impala00impala Member Posts: 474
    Look for an LS with a later Build date in 2001, Such as a 2001 model that was built in say June or 6 of '01, I just purchased another 2001 an it has a build date of June 2001, the 2002's started in July or 7 of '01, Look for the Build Date on the placard inside the Drivers door edge. I'd Just go for the latest Built 2001 you can find. If it says "Build Date 7 or 8 of 2000" then you know it has been sitting around a while. Good luck! Don
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