2005 and Earlier Chevrolet Impala

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Comments

  • bowtiefan01bowtiefan01 Member Posts: 20
    The coolant level sensor on my 2001 was replaced last week. The light would come on at a cold start and stay on until driving between 2 and 15 miles, then go off. Dealer said the sensor was bad and replaced it. No problems since. The coolant level was where it should be and I didn't notice any coolant smell.

    John
  • phollanphollan Member Posts: 14
    I had my Impala at the dealer Wednesday to have the Pin Kit put on. They didn't know they had to order a kit for each wheel, so they could only fix one wheel. I didn't get a chance until today to drive the streets that brought out the noises, and it appears to be much better. The car feels much more solid as well.

    I have an appointment for tomorrow to get the other wheel done, so I'll be able to be more certain if this fixes it.
  • duraflexduraflex Member Posts: 358
    I ask a simple question and get so many helpful answers. Where else but the internet could this happen? You gotta love the net.

    I will also have the dealer check my coolant sensor and the reservoir lip.

    Thanks to sttropez, discgolfer, garypen, nathan the nightowl and bowtiefan. This is a great forum which is why I have stuck with it for over 2 years.
  • duraflexduraflex Member Posts: 358
    I read how many of you appear to yearn for rear wheel drive Impalas with big V-8s but does the US marketplace yearn for them as some of us do?

    I look at the 1996 Impalas that are essentially longer, lower, wider RWD versions of our cars.
    I think they were better looking but the fact is they didn't sell very well. The Impalas and Caprices were dropped.

    I wasn't in need of a new car then so I didn't even look at them at the time. Now I look back on the RWD 1996 Impalas, Roadmonsters and even Fleetwoods and wish I had one but I also think that might have been the end of an era - at least for now.

    If this country doesn't become more energy independent, gas prices aren't going to get any lower and that makes the big cars that much less attractive - even though I love them.

    Do you folks realize that the US sells much of its current North Slope Alskan oil to foreign countries ? The whole purpose of that venture and the 800 mile pipeline to Prudhoe Bay was less dependence on foreign oil after the first Arab oil embargo in the early 1970s. Back then, lines at the pumps in the US were unbelievable and gasoline was in short supply.

    Does anybody know why ethanol is not being used more? It's a constantly renewable source of gasoline made principally from corn that can be grown in abundance. I have some theories but would like to hear yours.
  • I love cars too. But, as an American, wouldn't it be nice to tell the Arabs (Or anyone else that tries to pull that oil blackmail BS on us)to go Flake Off!
    They've already proven that engines can be made that are both high-performance AND fuel efficient. I think consumers should demand it.
    The Impala is a decent example of that. 20/30 from a 200HP V6! I'm sure we'll see 30/40 with 200HP in the near future.
  • notdeadyetnotdeadyet Member Posts: 14
    Just what does the body control module control?
    I had a problem where the service vehicle soon indicator came on when I put the external light switch to the parking light position. The dealer replaced the BCM and when I went to unlock the car I noticed that the remote unlock feature did not work.The service rep said the fob had to be reprogrammed. Before doing this I went into the settings on the radio and all the options for remote operation were gone . That is remote visual verification ( light flash), remote audible verification ( horn), the horn chirp timer option and fob transmitter programming. He took the vehicle into the shop and when he came back the remote worked and all the settings were back on the radio. He said programming the fob put the settings back . Is that how it works or did they forget to program the BCM for Remote Keyless Entry ?
    I also had the trunk struts replaced (they say both were, I say it looks like only one was). When I picked up the car the car last June the trunk would pop open a good 6 to 8 inches. Still now, even with the replaced struts it only pops an inch or so.
    I got the same old answer about the DIC .. I'm expecting it to be accurate and that was not GM's intention.. It's only meant to be a guide to the fuel consumption.
    Finally, if you think your premium sound system and the new amp has too much bass response when using the presets, they can recalibrate the radio.
    There are two settings that can be selected with the TECH2 New cal and Factory. The original factory setting has lots of bass (could be said to be too much by some) and volume while the new cal really cuts the bass and volume down. I listened to both and stuck with the original factory bass setting.
    The car is great, but I hate taking it to the dealer.I know they have to make money and are on an in/out schedule, but why must I have to make two trips. One would think a tech servicing a full load LS would wonder why he could not use the remote transmitter to lock the doors when he was finished.
  • tpkentpken Member Posts: 1,108
    Yesterday on my way home from work I spotted, for the first time, a new black Impala LS belonging to the N.H. State Police. A very surprised Maxima owner was getting a real close look at the car through his rear view mirror as he awaited his ticket. N.H. now has several sleeper cars - including a tan Malibu of all things that had also pulled someone over just a mile or two up the road. I've seen a Camaro and Mustang GT - both black, previously.

    Guess I'll have to be extra vigilent now!!
  • notdeadyetnotdeadyet Member Posts: 14
    Just what does the body control module control?
    I had a problem where the service vehicle soon indicator came on when I put the external light switch to the parking light position. The dealer replaced the BCM and when I went to unlock the car I noticed that the remote unlock feature did not work.The service rep said the fob had to be reprogrammed. Before doing this I went into the settings on the radio and all the options for remote operation were gone . That is remote visual verification ( light flash), remote audible verification ( horn), the horn chirp timer option and fob transmitter programming. He took the vehicle into the shop and when he came back the remote worked and all the settings were back on the radio. He said programming the fob put the settings back . Is that how it works or did they forget to program the BCM for Remote Keyless Entry ?
    I also had the trunk struts replaced (they say both were, I say it looks like only one was). When I picked up the car the car last June the trunk would pop open a good 6 to 8 inches. Still now, even with the replaced struts it only pops an inch or so.
    I got the same old answer about the DIC .. I'm expecting it to be accurate and that was not GM's intention.. It's only meant to be a guide to the fuel consumption.
    Finally, if you think your premium sound system and the new amp has too much bass response when using the presets, they can recalibrate the radio.
    There are two settings that can be selected with the TECH2 New cal and Factory. The original factory setting has lots of bass (could be said to be too much by some) and volume while the new cal really cuts the bass and volume down. I listened to both and stuck with the original factory bass setting.
    The car is great, but I hate taking it to the dealer.I know they have to make money and are on an in/out schedule, but why must I have to make two trips. One would think a tech servicing a full load LS would wonder why he could not use the remote transmitter to lock the doors when he was finished.
  • sttropez1sttropez1 Member Posts: 51
    I think a RWD V8 Impala SS will soon again be a reality....


    http://detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0204/11/b04-462248.htm

  • Your trunk pops up? Mine has never popped up to any extent. 1/2" to an inch, maybe, whatever the minimum is in order to be unlocked.
  • notdeadyetnotdeadyet Member Posts: 14
    Yes, it used to pop up at least 6" then I'd give it a slight push to get to the full open position.
    Now you have to give it a real power lift from about 1" to get it all the way open. At first I thought it was the cold winter weather, but it is starting to get warmer 68 to-day and it is still the same.
  • sttropez1sttropez1 Member Posts: 51
    Don't expect a trunklid fitted with trunk struts to pop open very high when the remote release is unlatched.

    I have seen many cars with trunklid struts which exhibit the same behavior. You could tweak the mechanism a bit but don't expect drastic results.

    Cars where the trunlid pops up really high after the remote latch has been released are usually equipped with gooseneck type of hinges. Gooseneck trunklid hinges tend to intrude in tall/bulky trunk cargo by crushing the object when closing the lid.

    This is the reason why many manufacturers have switched to trunklid struts. They also hold the trunk lid open more safely and allow the opening angle of the lid to be greater. There is also a benefit of fitting bulky cargo in the trunk and not worrying about the gooseneck hinges to crush the object, preventing the lid from closing properly.

    The Honda Accord offered trunk struts for a while but they went back to gooseneck hinges amid complaints from customers used to the high pop up behavior of the lid.

    It seems you can't have your cake and eat it too when it comes to this. No gooseneck hinges = ability to stuff bulky objects but limited pop action opening range from trunklid. Trunk struts = trunklid pops open really high, but limits ability to put bulky objects.
  • sttropez1sttropez1 Member Posts: 51
    May be you need to get a Hatchback.
  • notdeadyetnotdeadyet Member Posts: 14
    Yes, it used to pop up at least 6" then I'd give it a slight push to get to the full open position.
    Now you have to give it a real power lift from about 1" to get it all the way open. At first I thought it was the cold winter weather, but it is starting to get warmer 68 to-day and it is still the same.
  • kimpala1962kimpala1962 Member Posts: 45
    I am unable to find the picture that Duraflex,
    posted of the Impala with the center of the trunk painted only. can someone tell me were i can find that pic? Thanks Walter
  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    All the cars my family has owned has been RWD ('69 Camaro 350 V8, '79 Malibu wagon 350 V8, '89 Ford F150, etc) and the only FWD cars I had driven were compact rentals (Neon-type) or friends' cars which tended to be on the low end of the price scale. We also don't have snow/slush/ice here so the benifits of FWD in those conditions are not something I had experenced or had an opinion on. Because I was the mechanically inclined one (and as a general rule, our gang never had a lot of money) I did a lot of the repair work on my friends' cars. The most common repair was CV boot replacement. I know they make split boot repair kits, but the correct, best repair requires that you dissasemble the whole front end and that's a messy, time consuming job. Because of all these reasons, I was biased against FWD for years.

    When I was looking for a new car, I wanted an Impala, thinking it would still be like the '96 models. Big, black, and loaded with tire smoking, neck snapping, V-8 RWD power! When I found out it was some FWD, V-6 200 HP wimp, I was disgusted. I went looking for a '96, but all the ones I found were wasted, or the asking price was too high. New RWD cars are rare and I was actually considering a Tarus or Crown Vic when I got a "Test drive a Chevy and get $40" card in the mail. Dragged my wife down to Chevy and took the Impala for a spin. What started to change my mind about FWD cars was when I scared the sales person (but not my wife who is used to my Mario driving style) and dropped the hammer and hit a speed bump at 40+ mph. The car pulled strongly all the way though, no noticable torque steer, and didn't bottom out when I hit the bump. I was happy with the braking power also (so were my passengers as we were quickly running out of parking lot room).

    It took a couple more months for me to actually consider purchasing an Impala. Waiting for the '01 models, fighting with the sales people, and trying to get over the cheapy, plastic tail light treatment. Actually, I still don't like it, but I only have to see it when I take stuff out of the trunk or when I wash it. =)

    I don't think we will ever see the V-8 RWD cars return to the popularity they once had. Today's new drivers have been raised on mini-vans and FWD compacts. Shows like Crank and Chrome and publications like Hot Rod Magazine are doing more and more stories on "import" sport cars (still cracks me up that a Ford Focus is classified as an Import car).

    Would I abandon my current Impala for one of the the new V-8 RWD version that people have been speculating about? If you had asked me right after I purchased my car, I would have said YES! Now, I don't know. I like the look of my car, it is well laid out, the gas mileage is good, and I can still pull away from most of the imports on the road (still haven't outgrown my lead foot).
  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    Uh huh. This out of the company that killed the Camaro.
  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    It on the Photos page of my site:


    http://www.impalahq.com/


    From the info I have gathered, the rear taillight treatment on the Sport package is a plastic cover that is applied over the existing tail lights and held in place with double stick tape. I have part number for all three pieces (right, left tail lights and center reverse light section) but have been told that the number for the center section is invalid and the other items do not have a price yet. I also don't know if they are pre-painted (like the roof trim strips) or not. If you are intested, I can post the part numbers I do have.

  • The current Camaro was a big ole POS. It didn't sell. And, it was universally reamed by the automotive press.
    It'll be back. Hopefully, it'll be worthy of the name the next time around.
  • If these really are stick on, then anyone can add them to their current Impalas. Good to know. I assumed they were different anmd complete center applique and taillight assemblies.
  • sttropez1sttropez1 Member Posts: 51
    The all new Impala SS V8, RWD will replace the void left by the Camaro coupe, according to the latest info from GM.
  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    Don't forget, Impala was (and still is) unfairly treated by the automotive press also. My point is the Camaro has a history of performance and a recognizable name. Instead of dumping it, they could have put the research, effort, and money into improving the Camaro. Talking about a new GM performance division while killing off the Camaro and Firebird does not inspire confidence.

    And watch out about the "worthy of the name" crack. I still get e-mail flames about how the new Impala dishonors the Impala nameplate. =)
  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    I also thought it was a seperate unit. However this would not be in line with their "less parts is better" philosoply for the Impala. The only drawback is the center Impala emblem will probably have to come off to install this. Wonder how much this is going to cost.
  • b4zb4z Member Posts: 3,372
    The fourth gen camaro is a better car than the third gen, but never sold as well.
    I guess the styling didn't do it for a lot of people.
    Everytime i sit in a fourth gen, i am amazed at how a large car can have so little interior room.
    It deserved to be killed. Hopefully GM will learn from it's mistakes.
  • spence30spence30 Member Posts: 52
    For the extra $1500, I don't see getting the sport package. You get stick-on tail light covers, a bolt-on front bumper attachment, rims that come on the SS Monte, and a gauge cluster that adds volts and oil pressure. If GM gave you a super charged 3800 v6, I'd bite.
  • spence30spence30 Member Posts: 52
    At 60,380 miles, I had my intake manifold gasket replaced. 35 for the gasket, 208 for labor and 132 for the coolant flush. they tell me I shouldn't have to replace it again... Yeah right.
  • 00impala00impala Member Posts: 474
    Silver LS Sport that I inspected closley at the Car Show a few months ago seemed to have the Center area "PAINTED" on, since there were several finger-nail type scratches leading outward from the round part of the inboard round light that I could see the usual red reflective area under, then last week and today when I looked at a BLACK LS SPORT it has some obvious Stick on appliques that seem like 1/4 inch thick plastic cut-outs painted black, I do kind like them only on BLACK, also the window sticker reads "Corvette Inspired Tailights".

    I got my 2000 LS worked on today, The Culprit was (2) "WORN" Rear Cradle Mounts causing excessive movement and the clanking I was hearing,How they get "WORN" so fast is a mystery? But they do have 26k on them and the Cradle and ISS have 8k... I drove it home but no farther and It seems to have helped, but the front end (in my case anyway), I am convinced will never have that tight as a drum feeling that my 2001 has..and I hope "KEEPS"....Don
  • lrcobralrcobra Member Posts: 82
    Do I need to go back to the dealer to get a new hepa-filter to replace the cabin air filter or can you purchase one at a parts store. Does anyone know??
    LRCobra
  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    Go to the Accessories page and look under Interior for a company called TAAP. They sell a replacement cabin air filter and has a cross reference for equivalent part number for other companies. I don't know what the prices are though.
  • lrcobralrcobra Member Posts: 82
    Thanks I will check it out tonight. When I had the cover off I noticed the filter was really dirty. It has 3 years worth of use on it though so it is way past due.
    LRCobra
  • The people who say that generally aren't even familiar with the Impala beyond the 94-96 SS. The older Impalas were underpowered POS', for the most part.
    I remember my street in the 60's and 70's had an Impala parked about every third car. Every one of these late model bombers had complete rust through around each fender/wheel well, and "chrome" grills the consistency of aluminum foil, all bent up and pushed in. The interiors had chintzy and cheap materials and fittings, as well. (Not much has changed in that department, though.)
    The current Impala is definitely a better car than those 60/70's models. The 94-96 might be a different story, though.
  • impalay2k_mimpalay2k_m Member Posts: 10
    Just wondering what the ideal temperature range should be for the impala? A friend of mine pointed out to me that the engine temperature guage in the dash seemed a bit high.

    Seems like no matter what weather my car is in(rain, snow, summer) the temperature guage always hovers right in the middle..never higher..although the engine fan does come on. Sometimes the temperature guage needle is a notch lower on the indicator.

    Is this normal?? Or should the temperaute guage needle be a few notches lower most of the time??
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    On my 2ooo LS the guage in summer reads about 1/2 notch below horizontal (horizontal is midway betwixt cold and hot). In the winter it is about 1/2 notch lower. In really heavy traffic it will get just slightly above horizontal. It has always been this way.

    The book CLAIMS it isn't hot unless it goes into the RED, but if mine goes much above midway, I will commence worrying! A change like that after 80,000 miles of experience would lead me to believe something had changed, something NOT good!
  • fathertyriciusfathertyricius Member Posts: 116
    I own the 2001 LS and my temp guage is always a tinge below mid point. Even my friends Impala LS has the same reading. I would worry when it goes way up almost towards the red... if it ever goes that high shut down the engine and have it towed to Mr Goodwrench.
  • sttropez1sttropez1 Member Posts: 51
    Yes it is normal. Don't worry about it.
  • roderacerroderacer Member Posts: 311
    ditto. the gauge on my '01 LS is consistently around the halfway point or just below no matter what the ambient air temperature is - which, by the way, is a nice 74 degress this hour in No. IL.

    take care,
    steve
  • Same here.
  • impalay2k_mimpalay2k_m Member Posts: 10
    Thanks for everyone's insight about the temperature guage question!

    A few more questions for you very well informed folks on this message board:

    1) Does anyone have any advice on how to maintain the leather interior? Which brand of leather protectant/cleaner is a good to use?

    2) Does anyone know what procedures are required to maintain the sunroof? Do i have to regrease it or anything? I havent done any maintenance on it since I bought my '00 LS.

    3) Anyone know what the following TSBs are about? I came across them on Nathan's website but don't know the details..

    01-08-64-008 New Style Water Deflector; 2000-2001 Chevrolet Impala

    99-01-38-005 A/C not cold. Refill with refrigerant.

    Thanks again everyone!!
  • 00impala00impala Member Posts: 474
    I have a Silver 2000 LS with the grey Leather interior, I have tried a few dedicated leather Cleaners, the most recent I like the best, it is called "LEXOL" there are 2 seperate bottles, one a cleaner and the other a protectant, the cleaner is great, just spray on a cloth and wipe the leather into a suds kinda,then wipe completly with a clean damp rag. then apply the protectant, then wipe it again with a dry clean towel.. it dries flat, not greasy or slippery at all, also makes the leather on the steering wheel feel great too,,, I bought it at Pep Boys...I think it was $7 bottle, one bottle is orange the other a brownish rust color.....

    on the Water Deflector, I believe this is a change for the 2001's from the 2000's and it amounts to a plastic type liner that goes on the the doors before the inner door panels are put in place, like older cars used to have just a sheet of plastic wrap over the metal before the door panel to prevent water from going inside the door, this is in regards to a form fitting plastic "Water Deflector" inside the 2001 and up door panels (I think it actually looks like a door panel that fits under the "door panel" if that makes sense?)that the early 2000's must have the plastic sheet or something else that was deemed inferior for them to update it... Thanks Don
  • vexvex Member Posts: 14
    I drive a 01 impala 3.8L and while the engine is running and idling you can hear a squeal (whistling sound).
    The sound isn't coming from the serpentine belt area but to the right of it. I can't figure out what's causing it. You can't hear it unless you drive with the windows down. It's not a major problem so I won't take it to the dealer quite yet.
    Do any of you people have similar sounding engines? Any ideas?
  • spider717spider717 Member Posts: 106
    What a great 90 degree day. There is nothing like cruising around in a navy blue LS with the tunes playing and the sunroof open. Life is good.
  • Try it in a convertible. It's even better. They used to make full size convertibles. Maybe with this automotive nostalgia boom, we'll see some again.
    The T-bird is a start.
  • nosirrahgnosirrahg Member Posts: 872
    And for those of us with families, how about an Impala Wagon with the infamous reversed 3rd seat? Maybe they could even throw in a little raised roof/window ala the Olds Vista Cruiser!!

    On another note (which I've seen no one comment on), is anyone else annoyed by the "HONK HONK" sound every time you log onto Edmunds? I used to check the board once or twice a day at work (while on hold, of course); but now can't check it without either muting the sound, or waiting until after 5pm (like today).

    I guess maybe the sound is cute to some folks, but it is literally causing me to not visit the site as often.
  • 00impala00impala Member Posts: 474
    rusty fenders and wheel wells....one on every block...way back when,,,,ha ha Don
  • night_owl1night_owl1 Member Posts: 760
    A number of important updates on my page:

    1) If you were interested in the Indiglo gauge pre-order drive for the Impala, I posted a link to a page that describes the kit and how to install one.

    2) New pre-order drive for A-pillar gauge pods.

    3) I posted part numbers for the LS Sport taillight covers. It's in the How-To section


    http://www.impalahq.com

  • emtbemtb Member Posts: 42
    mail.trekmush.org/Wedge/BigPic.JPG

    Since I'm clueless how to do HTML... here's the link :)
  • norbnancynorbnancy Member Posts: 118
    Back from Florida after 3 months. 2000 LS stayed home covered in the garage. Returned, hooked up the battery and it started without a hesitation. Last year when I returned after 3 months the Impala brakes were rusted and locked. I washed it before I put it up for the winter and did not dry out the brakes. I pulled the wheels and sanded the rotors and they operated normal. This time washed it and then took it for a ride to dry the brakes and rotors. Brakes were O. K. this time. I changed the air cleaner filter today and also looked for the PCV valve--- not to be found. The operators manual does not mention a PVC valve nor does it mention a gas filter. I found the gas filter under the car by the L. R. door.My local Chev Dealer gave me a immage from the parts book that he said was the 2000 3.8 engine.It shows the PCV valve in the front valve cover, left side. Not on my 2000 LS. Would someone else out there look at their 2000 LS 3.8 for a PCV valve? This is the first car that I have owned in 40 years without a PCV valve. It is O.K. by me if they went away. Enjoy the ride.
  • emtbemtb Member Posts: 42
    Hi everyone. I could use some help here. :) I'm preparing to install various radio equipment (CB, scanner & fire radio) into my Impala, via the wonderful Aux Power drop under the dashboard. Unfortunately, I'm not sure exactly where it is. I've taken a picture of the underside of my dashboard, and was wondering if someone could point me at it?

    I checked out ImpalaHQ, but the underside of my dash doesn't look like it at all. If anyone could help me, I'd be grateful. For a picture of the underside of my dash, and where I *THINK* I'm looking at it, check:

    mail.trekmush.org/Wedge/DSC00216-1.JPG

    I -think- it's the black taped thing on the left?

    My other question is, how do you remove the fuse box cover(s)? They don't seem to slide back or up or anything.

    Thanks for helping a clueless newbie! :)
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    norbnancy: There IS a PCV valve. A post much earlier detailed exactly where. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!
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