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I don't understand how GM could make a vehicle where wind noise is such a big issue. I opened my back windows and the sound was painfully deafening!! It was incredible. Don't they own a wind tunnel? Would an 1/8 inch wind deflector been cost prohibitive? Is this the first car to ever have a back window???
This is what gives american cars a bad name.
But believe me I really like the truck. I just don't get it!!!!!!!!
let me know!!!
at $6500 off list. They even located one for me
w/o sunroof. My only incentive was the $2002 cash back. They were $1000 under invoice. They must have wanted to move Bravada's. BTW, they consider the 5/60 warranty another $1000 incentive. So far,
so good. No roof rack noise, but some power steering noise when I started it this morning
at 5 below zero.
GAM
Gill
2004 Honda Accord EX-L Graphite Pearl
2007 Honda Civic EX - Atomic Blue
2013 Honda Civic LX - Crimson Pearl
Regarding build quality - Personally, I can find build quality issues with almost any vehicle, imports included. When you mass produce anything, there will be minor build issues. It kills me when people swear their "import" has better build quality, when in truth it's manufactured in the states. Yes, the parts may be foreign... but you mean to tell me that a guy building Toyota's in the US is any more careful than a guy building GM car's in the US? Most of the build issues are related to individual error... a body panel is off, glue comes undone, etc. Now, if we're talking reliability, that's a different ballpark, since foreign parts are actually foreign! Still, I can show you domestics with ultra-high mileage and foreign autos that died under 100k. When it comes down to it, it's about care, maintenence, and yes... partially a crapshoot!
Emergency Brake:
A separate brake system in a vehicle for use in case of failure of the regular brakes and commonly used as a parking brake.
The airbag light stayed on - this has happened twice. Start it; all the lights do their thing and then go off. However, twice the airbag light has stayed on the duration of my drive. Next time I started, it was off. The last time this happened I called OnStar and they did a check and said nothing showed up but that I should take it to the dealer - maybe it could be a short. Any thoughts on this?
I've been following the rearview mirror/memory discussions. Originally I had my setting to lower the passenger mirror when in reverse. This worked fine and it seemed to return to its set position. However, I noticed that occassionally, upon start, the driver's mirror would do some shifting around. I turned off the mirror down setting for both and still, on occassion, the driver side mirror will adjust. {???}
Something odd I've noticed with the driver's seat. Upon acceleration, it seems to "slip" and then click into place.
I've been told to get a trailer hitch cover. What's the best? Where?
Thanks and keep up the great discussions!
tidester
Host
SUVs
The device is nothing more than a balanced housing on a shaft with little more than two clutch disks immersed in a lubricant. Normally the clutch disks don't connect and thus the disks mostly free spin inside the lubricant. The fan blades, attached to one end of the shaft, will rotate some, but not much. When the engine gets very hot, the clutch disks expand and connect to each other, much like the clutch in the transmission, causing the fan to turn with the engine. It does rob the engine of power, but the fan also pulls cool air through the radiator, aiding in engine cooling. This typically happens during heavy idling in traffic, and the fan will return to normal after several seconds of increased engine RPMs.
The problem most people have experienced is when the engine is very cold, like on a 10-degree morning. The problem here is that the lubricant inside gets thick when it is cold. The viscous clutch has not malfunctioned in most cases, it's just that the viscous clutch hasn't warmed up enough for the lubricant to thin out. What is happening inside is the clutch disks aren't turning in the lubricant, but turning with the lubricant. You can test this by turning the fan by hand (with the engine off of course) when the engine is warm, and again when it is cold. You'll notice that the fan is more stiff and difficult to turn when it is cold.
The solution here is to allow the car to run a moment before throwing it in gear. I usually wait for the engine speed to come down below 1000 rpms after initial start up before putting it in gear (about a 20-second wait on a cold morning).
Now, if the fan engages at highway speed, and the engine temperature is normal, then there may be a viscous fan clutch malfunction. However, if you're in the mountains and pulling a long hill, the engine may be running hotter than normal. In that case, the viscous clutch is doing its job.
Of course, with the fan turning, and placing the engine under a load, the transmission will shift differently (usually later as it would if you were towing a trailer).
However, when it comes on in the mountains, that's a different story. Granted I'm going uphill a lot, but it's by no means extreme driving. The last time this happened, the temp gauge showed below 210. It normally runs at just above that.
It puzzles me, but isn't it possible that it's just either a poor quality fan clutch or they designed it such that is comes on at too low a temperature? Maybe they put those plates a little too close together.
I have another theory though for my problem. I think it might be caused by the transmission fluid getting hot due to not being in overdrive for much of the time going up the mountains. This thing's got a separate transmission cooler, right? I think that could cause more hot air to come through the radiator, but the temp gauge wouldn't show this. Hmmm.
I read on previous posts that the device located close to my left ear is not the microphone but it is a temperature sensor.
Thanks
From prior postings, the grill on the support column is a internal temperature sensor.
Jim
When are you going to post your pictures. Maybe it took you longer to put them on. Seeing your pictures shouldl convince me toI order them.
My problem was the fan running all the time, no matter what the engine or ambient temp was outside.
I took it in and they applied a software upgrade and my problem away.
Wichita Greg
I didn't get them on till late sunday night and I haven't had a chance to snap the pics yet.
I will tomorrow though, but my Bravada is dirty so don't mind the dust on it!
The Jimmy sticker said 22max, I got 23. The Envoy sticker said 21. I'd be happy with that
Has anyone taken their triplet in and had the mileage improve or is it just a known problem that GM can't (won't) do anything about.
Thanks
Paul P
Allen
Allen
Allen
I had some bad experiences with the one's that go into the window channel though so I'm going to try the GM ventvisors this time around. On my previous vehicle a 1998 Explorer, I got some WeatherFlectors installed by the dealer, and in the four years I owned the Explorer, various windows miss tracked and would get stuck on the ventvisors. Since it was purchased through the dealership they had to fix it every time, but I can only imagine how much it would have cost out of pocket to fix if I hadn't got the ventvisors through the dealership.
On my 2002 Envoy it's located right BEHIND the rear view mirror, where the headliner meets the windshield.
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/dai/2002/march/20020305_dai_gm.xml
WichitaGreg
Looks like the MacNeil shield is the best I have seen to date. "You get what you pay for".
Just wondering... I have been following this forum for about 1000 posts and your's is the first post I have seen regarding engine failure.
Please direct us to this information. This could REALLY affect my buying decision...
Thanks!
Pat
2004 Honda Accord EX-L Graphite Pearl
2007 Honda Civic EX - Atomic Blue
2013 Honda Civic LX - Crimson Pearl
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I do have a sloping driveway now, so I have been learning to use my "foot" brake more (I much prefer the "hand" brake).
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I live in Columbia, SC, so it is a bit warmer here, but the high was on a recent trip to Detroit, 20-degree weather on the Ohio Turnpike. I use 87 oct.
Evaluate your driving habits. I get 40k miles out of a set of brakes, at least that out of a set of tires. If you don't, it may be that you have a lead foot. If you're sure its not that you love the sound of open-throttle acceleration, consider having a tailpipe test done on the car. If it really is using too much fuel, and the problem is mechanical, it will probably fail the test. Take the test results to the dealer and they will be forced to find a fix.
I was set to purchase the Pathfinder but thought I owed it to my brother (works at Chevy Dealer) to at least look at their new Trailblazers. To make a long story short, I fell in love with the TB. I still believe the Pathfinder overall is built better and handles better, but I love the total package (looks/feel/engine/options)of the Trailblazer.
I have just over 6,000 miles on my TB and have had No Major problems at all. The only issue I've had is the paint chip problem on the tailgate.
I never looked at the Explorer, but I don't think you can do wrong with a TrailBlazer or Pathfinder. Hope my 2 cents helps.
- Lubricate chassis components with each engine oil and filter change.
Are all of the U-Joints for Autotrac sealed? I'm guessing that has to be the difference. Either way, it lets me know that the only servicable points will be for the Smarttrak system. They're really easy to get to as well, so it shouldn't be a problem.
Allen
Awhile back, there was a big discussion on this board about utilizing the dual zone climate control system for the triplets. I can recall several individuals stating that once you use the passenger knob to change the temp, you could not return back to the driver's side knob (to control both sides) without having to restart the vehicle?
Well.. I was a little dumbfounded with that idea myself. I really did not like the fact that you would loose primary control over the HVAC if you utilized the passenger control.. so I read the manual and couldn't find any information with instructions on how to get the HVAC unit to return back to its' "One Knob" operation without having to restart the vehicle. Today I played with the unit a little more and found out that once someone uses the passenger knob, you CAN regain primary control through the driver's side knob by simply PRESSING AND HOLDING the AUTO button until the display shows the temp and the words "driver" and "passenger."
Maybe someone else posted a solution to this concern, but I just wanted to let everyone know this so that they could try it on their triplet! This method surely beats having to restart the vehicle whenever you want it to return to a "one-knob" operation!
Good Luck!!
Dennis D.
IExplore2000@aol.com
http://forums.vmag.com/suvenvoy0199/
There is a current thread, then scroll down to two other threads in February.
I tend to think it's more isolated cases, but that's what I'm trying to find out. You would think that out of 100,000 engines (or whatever figure they are up to) that there will be some tangible failure rate for any make/model car/truck. I sure hope it's isolated anyway; I have a new pewter Envoy scheduled for arrival any day! If it were common, I think there would be a lot more postings.
MILEAGE - Re # 4219 mdey - I too live in Columbia, SC. My TB gets 14.5 mpg on my 15 mile trip to/from work at 50 mph. My 97 Blazer got 19.5 on the same route. Has anyone had a dealer do anything to improve mileage? If the rating is 16/22, I expected about 18 with the type driving I do. Any posts that had a FIX would be appreciated.
thanks.
To Allen R: your air cond. compressor has an electrically controlled clutch. The cooling fan could have a similar clutch and it could be computer controlled. I don't know if it is electrically controlled, but it can be.