2005 and Earlier Chevrolet Impala

[Deleted User]

You replaced all four with 9006 bulbs? There should be two 9005 and two 9006. That means that you either replaced all four with low beams, or more likely, you replaced all four with high beams! That gonna really blind the oncoming drivers.
No wonder you see such an improvemnt over your old low beams. Even old-style high beams will obviously look brighter than the original low beams.

impalaboy2001

so far i just changed up the low beams which are the 9006. I'll be changin out the Highs pretty soon though.
Chris

[Deleted User]

Ahhhhhhhhh. Dot splains it.

this_is_nascar

I am quickly approaching the end of my warranty period on my 2000 Impala LS. I'd like to make sure that all known issues are resolved before I'm out of warranty.

I've already been struck by the bad ISS. It's been replaced, without further incident. How do I know if I suffer the dreaded engine cradle problem? Is there something I can test or try to see if I have that condition? Since I have an earlier built 2000, am I guaranteed to have the cradle issue?

teo

I am afraid the answer to that is a resounding yes.

duraflex

Now at 22,898 miles, my 2000 IMPALA LS did need the ISS replaced many months ago but the engine cradle seems fine. My build date was January 2000. (See edge of driver's door for your build date. I think production of Y2K Impalas began about May or June 1999.)

************************************************************
Am I the only 2000 poster that has NOT had the engine cradle problem ?

Has "everyone" else on this forum with a 2000 IMPALA had their engine cradle repaired or replaced ?

Not that it would be a scientific survey by simply polling the posters on this forum, but how many of you 2000 owners have had the cradle problem?

**************************************************************

My dealer said it was limited to the earliest production run of the car and was spotty at the worst. Why would he lie? He stands to profit from every warranty repair. On the other hand, he's not going to risk his dealership by "inventing" problems that do not really exist.

Does anyone actually know what percentage of 2000 IMPALAs actually had engine cradle problems?

spence30

My Impala is a build date of 4/00, I purchased it 5/00. I noticed the cradle pop/click sound w/in a week of bringing the car home. I only heard it when the car was moving very slow, or stopped and was turning the steering wheel left or right. The dealer that fixed mine did what GM seemed to do to fix the cradle in later models, They welded the cradle in the flex spots. I still have my original cradle, and haven't experienced any of cradle symptoms since (49,000 miles later).

I didn't have the re-occurring issues that would qualify me for a buy back or lemon law. I LOVE my impala, and wouldn't trade it for anything right now. I plan on driving it till it won't go no more. The only change I would like to see is the super charged 3.8 in the LS. Does anyone know if there is a big mechanical difference between the 2 engines, or could you convert a 3.8 fairly easy?

When I bought my Impala, I think I had 4 options, base or LS, sunroof, engine block heater, and spoiler delete. I paid $22486, now if I wanted the same car, I pay extra for the radio/cd/cass, leather package, etc. and would pay far more. It's amazing how quickly a car that was a great value quickly becomes a good value, and will soon be par for the course.

duraflex

As I understand it, the very rugged GM 3.8 V6 is a Buick-designed engine with a cast iron block that is used in many different GM cars. I don't care what people say about it being older technology - it's virtually perfected. After years of using it in their cars, Olds wanted to replace it and developed their own 3.5 aluminum block V6. I do not think anyone else has adopted the Olds engine for their cars. (Just an aside on "old technology" - if today's roadway engineers had used the formula for concrete of the stonemasons who did the ancient Roman roads and aqueducts, we wouldn't be watching U.S. interstates get repaved when they are only 10 years old. At 60 years old, virtually ALL the concrete roadway bridges that cross the PA Turnpike have been or are being replaced because they were visibly disintegrating. But I digress...)

In the Buick REGAL GS and the Buick PARK AVENUE, the engine is supercharged. Performance may be faster but MPG is greatly reduced - especially in city driving.

My 2000 LS is plenty fast for me.

hunter39

I haven't had the cradle issue, When I first got the car I thought I might have it when I could hear a clicking going next to a truck or a wall. It went away after a week. It hasn't returned and I'm over 26k miles.

I took the Impala over Arizona 87 back this past summer. It's a 45 mile long road that winds it's way up to Roosevelt Dam. The first 30 miles are paved, the last 15 are literally washboard ruts of a dirt road. The road was originally built to get supplies to the people building the dam in the 1930's and they never bothered to paved it. At some places it's only little more than a car width wide and it's two way traffic with cliffs that are as much as 1000 ft. high. It took an hour to traverse and even at 15 mph I thought the Impala would shake loose. I told the wife if I didn't have any loose parts on the car before, I would now. So far still no cradle problems and no loose parts on the car at all, solid as a rock.

My dealership has been great about taking care of my car, with almost no questions asked. I think if I brought it in and said I had a problem with the cradle they would look it up and probably just replace it without question. I probably will do that before my warranty runs out just to be on the safe side. I continually listen for the telltale signs of cradle and ISS, so far nada.
Build date of 4-00'

stormdavy

Looking over all of these posts, happy to have an '01, which has been trouble-free ('Base' w/ 3800. Incidentally, what are the suspension differences, if any, between this car and LS? Was under the impression 'all the goodies', handling-wise, came along with the bigger engine). Now happily driven for over one year.

One shock: last spring it once wouldn't start & had to be towed from our garage. Turned out mice had gotten up into the engine compartment and eaten the 'pig' (?). Believe me, this was not covered under warranty! Mentioning this because there was some talk in this thread about peanut butter awhile back, which is what we used on the mouse traps we then placed on floor of garage. So, I for one wouldn't put p.b. on moulding or anywhere else on the car itself! Guess this speaks well for driving a car daily, and for having a tightly sealed garage.

Did put mothballs under the hood insulation blanket. But last week, two more dead mice under the car, bloodied as if unable to escape moving parts once the car was started. So, they're back. We now try to leave the car out to 'cool down' before putting it right into the garage, which is free-standing (Apparently the little ones are drawn to the warmth-- why they like the 'pig' enough to eat it, I don't know). Any experience with this?

What do you owners think about OnStar? Like it? Use it? Finally, someone awhile back said of a show Impala he'd seen: "...wait 'til I tell you what was under the hood on that baby". OK, I never did hear: What was under the hood? NorthStar V8?

I know, I know: Get a cat, right?

hunter39

No, cat will make a bigger mess than dead mice! Trust me on this. In my old 85'Caprice at the time I was trying to sell it I had the hood open to show the perspective buyer the engine and hear the motor purr, I kept smelling something, after searching for the stench I discovered it... between the fan blades and the radiator a dried up mangled kitty. Don't know when he got in there but obviously was to get warm and when I turned on the car, he never had a chance to get out. Mind you, I live in Arizona where it doesn't get especially cold even in the winter. My cat only sleeps on the top of my Impala thankfully, and he doesn't catch mice, though my dog is pretty good at it, I've often seen him playing with something and found he has a dog slobbered mouse tail hanging out of his mouth.

this_is_nascar

duraflex, not sure if I have the issue with the cradel or not? Is there a test I can perform? As far as I can tell, I'm not aware of any issues, but if there is a series of steps I can perform to test for the condition, I'd love to try it.

this_is_nascar

Didn't someone mention a TSB for the wheel well replacement on the 2000 Impala, to prevent the collection of debre in that opening? I can't seem to find anything under the 2000 Impala TSB listings.

bowtiefan01

Thanks garypen, bh0001, and impalaboy2001 on the info. regarding the HID type headlamps. I'll have to find the discussion site specific to after market lamps for more info.

Chris, how are the 80W bulbs working out so far? Are the wires okay with the extra wattage?

night_owl1

I have been away from the board for a week so I gotta catch up with all the posts.

I did a How-To article on the grill. I never got around to buying a new grill, so the article in incomplete. However, you might be able to compare the photo with your 2002.

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

Go to the How To section and click on the Grill.

night_owl1

Gotta go with black. Yeah, its a pain to keep clean. However, it's hard to beat the visual impression.

night_owl1

You can still get the front molded splash guards but the rear ones were discontinued. The complaint was that they didn't fit correctly. Chevy changed the wheel well liner from '00 to '01 so the rear guards (designed for the '00) no longer fit. They would if you modified them (see the How-To article) but Chevy just pulled them. I was told that a re-designed one would be out by summer, but here we are in November and nothing yet...

night_owl1

Do NOT go with the higher wattage bulbs. In problem report 63, a owner replaced his bulbs with an aftermarket set and cooked the harness. As garypen mentioned, Phillips has a direct replacement set 9005CB and 9006CB (CB=Cool Blue) that will product the blue-white effect without the added heat.

You can upgrade to a HID setup, but expect to pay $500+ for the new harness and transformer. If you REALLY want to try this, I believe I have a link for a company that sells kits.

garnes

I love the "old" pushrod 3.8 V6. Lots of power, and dependable. When I found out the block and heads were all cast iron, I was sold. There shouldn't be and blown head gaskets on this car. Cast iron on top of cast iron is indestructable. I think the 3.4 has the aluminum heads on top of the cast iron block - I never liked that. The two metals expand and contract differently due to temperatures. I don't think that is good for the head gasket over the long haul.

I think the 3.8 has an honest timing chain instead of a belt. I like that too. Correct me if I'm wrong.

My wife drives the Impala a long distance at night and I just feel good about that "simple" solid engine. No surprises. Auto magazines always crap about "old technology" but that's the thing I look for when looking for a car that you don't have to wonder about.

I really like that on-star too now that winter is coming and she will be on the highway at night.

The car does a lot of highway driving and some city driving. We have had the avg. mileage calculated on the car computer almost since it was new. There must be 6 or 7k miles into that avg. Anyway, it says we have averaged 29.2 mpg! Incredible for a car that large and powered by such a lowly "old tech" engine. She sets the cruise at 73. The wife loves the car and I feel good not only about the on-star, but the unbeatable safety of it too.

Power, incredible fuel economy, comfort, smooth quiet ride, outrageously huge trunk, and great safety. I really couldn't care less about where the cam is.

night_owl1

Mice eating pigs? I've heard it referred to as a rat, but never a mouse. Tried to start my Camaro a few years back and had the engine lock. Couldn't figure out what it was. Opened my hood and found that a cat decided the fan shroud was the perfect place to rest and get warm, right between the stainless steel fan blades. As this was a direct drive fan (no electric fans in a '69) the starter couldn't turn the engine with the cat in the way.

night_owl1

I fully agree that newer is not necessarily better. Aluminum heads are more prone to warpage as opposed to iron ones and the spark plugs are more apt to freeze in the aluminum heads. The different rates of expansion is a concern, however not as much as when they first came out. It does have a timing chain vice a belt. The Saturn L series with the V-6 uses a belt while all their other engines uses a chain. I was a bit dissapointed. with that, especially since the timing chain (vice belt) was one of their selling points.

The "old" engine has been around a long time and has proven itself. Because the engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel, they can spend their time tweaking the powerplant and that's how we can get the power in a V-6 with the excellent mileage to boot.

teo

The 3800 Series II V6 is also ULEV certified beginning in the 2000 model year. Based on recent comments from Ron Zarella, GM's president of North American operations, the 3800 will stay in production for a while longer (beyond 2005) as GM will develop another "newer" if you will V6 pushrod engine (he did not specify the actual displacement size) for those customers that want the low end torque punch, great fuel economy and durability. At the same time, Zarella stated that GM is developing a new family of DOHC V6 engines aimed to captured the "high tech only" customer base. Again, no engine sizes or displacements were specified. He issued this statement during the ongoing Tokyo International Autoshow.

It is possible to convert a normal aspirated 3800 V6 to a supercharged version, but it is very complicated and if you take into account the time/labor/parts costs it is actually cheaper to buy a car that already has the 3800 S/C installed from factory. Also the Supercharged 3800 V6 engine requires a heavier duty transmission to handle the additional torque. the S/C is fuel frugal as the N/A 3800 but it does require PREMIUM FUEL. Night_owl's webpage has a link to someone that actually installed an aftermarket supercharger in his Impala LS. Interesting reading material.

There is an Impala with the 3800 Supercharged engine in existence. GM is using it to field customer response to a higher performance variant (No is not the 5.7L SS V8). The car is called "Impala Lowrider". Perhaps in 2003 we will finally see a higher performance model in the Impala lineup.

Engine cradle::: being there done that folks. I did quite a lot of investigative work in the subject last year and all I can tell you that 2000 model year Impalas and Montes with the original factory cradles (Welded at the bottom of the rear brackets not all around as in the 2001+ cars) will develop the clicks and noises sooner or later. Don't fool yourselves thinking that if the car has 22K miles it is already past the time of the problem developing. It can happen at 50K or even at 150K miles. If the engine cradle is not replaced with the updated frame of the 2001 and 2002 cars, the noises will come up when you least expected.

I have seen the 2000 and 2001 frames installed and outside of the cars. The back bracket welds are CRITICAL and unless the old cradle is properly re-welded at a car racing shop with experience and equipment on welding aluminum frames, forget about it. Folks that got thier cradles replaced 2 3 and even 4 times in a row were because the dealer tried to re-weld the old frame or the customer was given the same defective new replacement time and time again.

The 2001+ Impalas are finally free from this malady when the weld points in the cradles were rectified properly one year ago at the assembly line.

If your car is still under warranty, get it replaced, even if it is not making any noises. the current production cradle will guarantee that this problem will never resurface in your car even long after the basic warranty has expired.

Finally, these posts do not constitute a valid statistical sample of disgruntled owners vs. happy owners. This is a very insignificant sample and number of responses. However, the responses seen here when certain problems do seem to pop up among a group of owners should be given some attention even if the sample size is not great.

Consumer reports states that first year reliability of the Impala was AVERAGE and 2001+ models has been HIGHER THAN AVERAGE. I suspect, the cradle, ISS and some engine/computer related problems are more frequent on first year cars (Build dates from 4/99 to 5/00) than on any subsequent year and VIN brake points.

this_is_nascar

Thanks nightowl, but I was referring to the rear wheel wells, not the splash guards. I recall hearing about a TSB for a replacement wheel well, but nothing comes up when I search the Impala TSB'S.

b4z

I think the supercharged and the normally aspirated 3800 cars have the same transmission.

duraflex

Buick Regal LS 19 city / 29 highway (same as Impala LS)

Buick Regal GS 17city / 27 highway (Supercharged version of 3800 V6)

SOURCE:

http://buick.com/regal/details/specifications/

duraflex

For those who are subscribers to the magazine, you may already know that CR's reliability ratings are based ONLY on surveys completed by SUBSCRIBERS to the magazine. That is a very small and unscientific sample. Take it for what it's worth.

Human nature is such that disgruntled owners (even those with legitimate complaints) are more likely to voice their opinions than satisfied customers. That too will skew the "survey".

Remember too that not every subscriber takes the time and trouble to read the annual CR survey form, nor complete it nor send it back. Of all the subscribers, what percentage do you think own 2000, 2001 or 2002 Impalas??? There are well over 286,000 Impalas out there. How many of those owners made their opinions known on Consumer Reports survey? Very few indeed.

Only GM knows how many engine cradles and steering shafts have been repaired or replaced and they're unlikely to make that info available to the public.

duraflex

Check this out:

http://www.autosite.com/editoria/asmr/svolfc.asp

yurakm

Supercharged engine is mated with heavy duty 4T65-E transaxle, mod.MN7

http://www.gm.com/automotive/gmpowertrain/transmissions/4t65_main.htm

night_owl1

Actually, my splashguard message was for Bowtiefan who asked about them. I believe the TSB you are referring to is 00-08-111-004: Debris Collects in Front Lower Portion of Rear Wheelhouse (Install New Wheelhouse Liner); 2000 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo

I keep a running list of TSBs that specifically apply to the Impala. There may be other generic ones that apply (fee schedule, etc) but I only track the ones that call out the Impala by name.

b4z

Cool. I did not know that.
It is interesting that the impala has the weaker version. My old intrigue had the stronger version and the supercharged cars have the stongest version.
I wonder if they will ever figure out a way to get limited slip in those things. I know the guys on the grand prix site were trying.

crosley4

As some of you know our 2k LS[build date 8-99] has experienced cradle noise troubles since 9k miles. The Cradle was replaced by GM with the updated unit at 43k miles in August 2001. I inspected the replacement unit at work on the car hoist. It was fully welded and looked very tough.

A few thousand miles later we started hearing/feeling the low level 'popping' in the car again. This would happen every other day or so. First thing in the morning as we backed the car out of the garage here in AZ it would 'pop' only once. This is the same pattern the car has followed for 2 years.

I found a cure for the problem on saturday.

We traded the car in on new truck.

As with many of you folks with similar troubles or worse, we still loved the car. Mayb in a couple of years we will look at the Impala again after a few body design changes [2004 - 2005?].

Keep up the good work here on the Impala bbs. The information you folks gather is quite helpfull to many.

one last thing, my reminder to check your spare tire air pressure. ((-;

Tony

teo

Well, Consumer Reports do remain the most "Scientific" measure of product quality and reliability outthere. While without a shade of a doubt there could be discrepancies in the way the data is collected and the amount of responses, CR has access to a much bigger survey owner's base, something that the boards at Edmunds could never dream of. Still, CR has had a positive outlook on the Impala (Yes CR dislikes most American cars and trucks) so there is no question that this car is indeed a much higher quality product than most think.

My 2001 LS feels much more solid than my 2000 LS did at the same mileage.

Unfortunately, buying a first year domestic vehicle continues to pose a higher reliability risk than a comparable Japanese or European auto, this is what the statistics show.

It seems that a few here have a very hard time accepting these widely known facts. To each his own.

teo

Tony, congrats on your new truck (Hope is not Ford . How much did you get for your Impala trade in the end?

Please come back from time to time and let us know how your new pride is doing.

You'll be missed for sure.

yurakm

Well, to be precise, the supercharged cars have the strongest stock version of the transaxle. There is another, even higher performance, aftermarket model to be used with supped-up supercharged engines:

http://www.slponline.com/view_product.asp?PARTNUMBER=67004

However, it costs about $2,700, or about $3,400 with high-performance torque convertor

http://www.slponline.com/view_product.asp?PARTNUMBER=60106

and electronic speedometer processor

http://www.slponline.com/view_product.asp?PARTNUMBER=63008

not including the installation labor.

impalaboy2001

Well I finally finished up my Aftermarket headunit install. I was also able to keep onstar working. At first I tried to Install the starmod module, but apparently that doesn't work on a 2001 Impala LS, so I decided to extend the 2 sensing wires from the dash to the factory headunit in the trunk. Since the relocation harness has the front left speaker wires up front for door chimes, i just decided to tap into those wires and use a seperate center speaker for the door chimes and onstar. The only problem i got is that the new system doesn't automatically mute when you receive or make a call. I think you can buy an audio sensing relay that will mute your new headunit (if mute is supported) when a call is made or received.

I also have a PESWI-2 on order, once received I'll install it so I can keep my steering wheel controls working. I'll let you know how that goes.

I've also installed the 80 Watt 9006 Xenon White replacement bulbs for my low beams. I read i post earlier were some guy's harness melted due to a higher wattage headlight. I checked the harness and no problems after 5 days.

I'll be posting some more info on my webpage about keeping onstar while installing a new headunit. http://members.home.net/chrbut I'll check you guys posted when I update it.

Chris

bowtiefan01

Thanks, night_owl1, for the info. on the spashguards and the headlamps. If you hear about the rear spashguards becoming available, let us know.

John

wyoimp

Go to Thrasher Engineering, they some more info about supercharging the 3.8.

http://www.thrasher-ep.com/home.shtm

Look as if they are under some of reorganization, so keep checking back.

00impala

I think that GM would have to modify all of the existing NOS Splash Sheilds they recalled from Dealership Stock, The guy I dealt with said they were getting a Great number of returns since they do-not fit an Impala with the inner wheel liners, DUH?? We all know that, then again they could be recycling or melting them down to pour into a new mold? Anyway, Finding a REAR Set for an Impala can be a wild goose chase for now.

TEO...I made an appt. for the ISS on Friday Morning at the same dealership that replaced the cradle 3 weeks ago, They keep sending me things in the mail asking if I am 100% Satisfied, as much as I want to say "YES" and quit going there, I am going to tell them NO and get to the bottom of this! They do pay "alot" I mean ALOT more attention than my selling dealer, they replaced my AMP Booster no questions, and they all but rebuilt the Entire front of my Wifes 99 Z24, ISS, Strut Plates, Steering Rack, Bushings etc. etc. Don

[Deleted User]

I'll never understand why they didn't just leave the current guards, and made that part number good for 2000 models only.
They can eventually come out with something for all models.
In the mean time, clever folks could simply modify the 2000 version.
That would have made too much sense, I guess.

crosley4

2001 Ford 150 Super Crew 4x2 Lariat unit.

We got 14k on the trade in value of the Impala and bought the Ford for 3k under MSRP. I may have been able to beat them up a bit more. The dealer closed at 6PM on saturday, we left the dealer at near 7:30PM. I would say we were there at closing time for a better deal. ((-;

They offered 12k for the Impala and the truck at MSRP. I wrote down my figures over the salesman's numbers. I then explained that the truck was an "I want, NOT an I need".........

Money is at 2.9% for 60 months.

And get this....... we left the dealer in the Ford, half way home the wife says:" we never gave them any money". I got a call early today [8:10AM monday] about the fact that the dealer forgot to collect the down payment money..... ROFLMAO

Already we miss the Impala's good things. Amazingly the Ford 150 does not have the speed adjusting volume on the stereo. The Excursions and Expeditions have the function. As you folks know the Impala has it and my 2k Silverado does too!

2 trucks you say?? Actually we own 3 trucks, one is a Crosley 1/4 ton truck in rough shape. ((-;

Mainly I screwed up before we traded the Impala in. I did not remove the Optima battery from the Impala.

And....... my 2 grand daughters [2.5 & 4.5 yrs old] were over tonight. We had a great time playing with our German Shepard dog named Flash Cadillac.

night_owl1

Darn it all!!! I was trying to get all the measurement tools together, pick up their cold air induction kit, drop it into my Impala and see what kind of improvement it would make. I liked the Trasher unit because it had the clear lid so you can see if the filter needed cleaning without removing the cover... Hopefully they get back to business soon...

teo

Crosley well...congratulations! It seems you did get a very good deal in both the trade and the new truck. I have seen Impalas listed at $10K with 50K miles, so you got almost retail for your car....man, that dealership (As everyone else in this country) is truly desperate to make a sale by giving away incredible deals.

Today the Fed is expected to announce the 10th interest rate cut of the year by 2:15PM EST.

This is not only the best time of the year, but the best time EVER in more than 40 years to buy anything, including a piece of real estate, a new car, etc.

Crosley, enjoy and I hope you have better luck with the Ford than you did with the Impala.

wyoimp

Thrasher is NOT gone, just being restructered to give better customer response and put out better quality products. Their websitre is currently being revamped also.

http://www.thrasher-ep.com/home.shtm

Tech line (765-457-8729)

Indiana: Tolin Hi Performance @ 765-453-7393 9-5,

Michigan: Extreme Performance @ 810-530-3554 anytime till midnight!

Hope this helps.

crosley4

dealer had 38 2001 super crew trucks on hand. Only 5 2002 super crews there.

I think they wanted to deal on the 2001's

And yes the feds dropped the rate again today. I just wish the lenders would follow. The rates are near the point to re-fi our house again.

I already miss the fuel mileage of the 2k Impala we traded in........ LOL

teo

yeah, we are in the process of refinancing our Apartment. We currently have a rate of 6.75% for a 30 year fixed loan (That was the lowest back in the summer of 1999) and now we are looking to refinance at 5.125% for a 15 year fixed loan (Or even less than that since we haven't locked up on the rate yet). These low rates are too good to allow them to pass up.

The minute BMW begins to offer new Bimmers at 2.9% or less financing....hmmmm....don't give me bad taughts....:-o

[Deleted User]

But, BMW doesn't use the tested, tried and true proven old technology of the 3800 Series II.
Shame on you! ;-)

teo

hey you could always retrofit a 3800 on a 3 Series BMW...would it fly or fall apart upon take off?

[Deleted User]

Hmmmm. An interesting German-American hybrid. Kind of like the hot dog.
But, in this case the bun is placed inside the weiner.

gweilo

Also, is there any disadvantage to having a spoiler installed?

teo

gary, any luck selling the Imp?