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1st visit to service:
yellow wrench light on and steering locked up.
2nd visit to service:
dealer replaced steering column, gave me the car back. problem now was that i couldnt even turn the steering wheel left only right.
3rd visit to service:
when i accelerate the steering wheel turns left as far as about 10 o'clock on clock for example. i test it out without holding the wheel just to see what happens and i tested it out on 10 different streets where all of them are flat.
what would you in my case? would you ask for an exchange or would you allow them to fix it for a 3rd time and risk possible more problems?
as they say once a problem always a problem. it has 6,900 miles on it and in perfect shape. do you think the dealer would allow an exchange for the same or entirely different auto. i was also consdering the Equinox.
let me know.
Last Saturday we took MAXX for the test drive along with Accord, Camry and Vibe.
I guess I am going for 04'MAXX LS 1SB.
There is still some inventory left (not mach thou). Prices are soooo low and my $3.1K on GM make it even sweetier....
Have not seen any leaks in rear skylight so far (I don't have sunroof).
Please advise if you have experienced this same thing or know the solution!!
I just mentioned that for others
First of all, is your Check Engine Light on at all during normal driving? This would cause remote start to be disabled.
The other issue might be something wrong with hood switch wiring - but since that part is really there just for remote start there isn't another function you can check out to see if it is working OK.
In any event you will likely need to take vehicle to the dealer for them to diagnose. The BCM stores a "remote start disable history" which will assist in understanding why remote start isn't working.
If you were a sedan owner I would have mentioned a couple other things but I assume you have a Maxx due to your name and forum you posted in
So, how did dash kit work? Any pictures available?
It's a metallic look background behind the buttons on the radio and HVAC controls..Neato..Sorry about the lack of pictures...and thanks for the interest....Jack
By the way e2helper, I like the technical info you mention at times, it helps me learn more about the car. Thanks.
If you or anyone has any question on Malibu/Maxx feature/function - especially on electrical system that you were curious about go ahead and ask away and I will try to answer if possible.
Since location of your leak is where headliner meets the plastic trim by both the rear corner windows, and leak was not seen until after headliner was replaced, I would suspect the rear drain hoses were not reconnected.
Since the car has this drain system, I would also bet that some water gets past the sunroof seal even when window is fully closed, especially during very heavy downpours.
If I can find out any background will let you know.
Also, how are the factory tires chosen for this car? In a couple of panic stops, the car's tires feel like they have some give and are not gripping tightly. I'm wondering how they will do in snow as well.
Thanks!
I seem to remember some review and interview in a magazine or newspaper when the Malibu first came out regarding tires chosen for vehicle. It did mentioned fuel economy aspects of tire design vs. "skid pad" results or grip. Maybe someone else has a better memory on where that was?
EDIT - Google is just too amazing - here is the quote I was thinking about from Jim Kenzie, a freelance journalist which came out back in Sept 2003. Took me about 1 minute to find on Internet using a couple keywords (LOL):
"....What let Malibu down were those tires I spoke of earlier. At what seemed like very modest cornering speeds, they set up an unseemly howl, as if they were being overworked.
Is Malibu so competent that we were going faster than we thought?
I don't think so. Chief engineer .....confessed they specified a tire with very low rolling resistance because they wanted to ensure good fuel-economy ratings. As it turned out, the powertrain group did such a good job that they could have used a tire with more grip...... "
I've noticed the same howling in turns with our Malibu, and even had my daughter scold me (then tattle to mommy) for driving so hard that the tires "squeeled". -_-
All Malibu/Maxx have a door and slot provision for a cabin air filter. Filter size is about 10"x8". That is a custom-sized filter so there is nothing one could buy to fit except to get a bigger filter and cut down to size.
You can access the door by dropping the glovebox door (I think you "pop" it out by pushing in sides of glovebox rear (you will have to look to see what I mean) and look just below the instrument panel beam over the blower motor.
I have never looked for this provision on a vehicle and have no practical experience on types of filters used on other vehicles to suggest something that might be able to be modified.
This is probably one of the most hidden potential features in vehicle that I ever heard of (LOL)
Hope this was of interest.
1. pushing in on the sides (one at a time) to get the glove compartment to drop down was A PAIN!!! I have to do the same thing with my Pontiac Vibe; but this was rediculous. I truly though I was going to break the plastic on the sides of the glove box. So everyone, if you try this, be prepared to push pretty hard to get the two black pegs on either side of the back of the glove box to release the glove box.
2. The hole for the filter is HUGE. I buy 3M Dirt Demon furnace filters at Lowes, and cut them down to size for my Vibe. However, on the Maxx, it looks like I could stack 3 of these filters on top of one another to fill the entire slot.
I'll take your word for it e2helper since you designed the thing, and cut my furnace filter to around 10x8. I'm just not sure how it will sit in such a "tall" hole since the filters are only 1 inch thick. I'll report my progress tomorrow.
I was just passing along some info I received.
Thanks e2helper for this tip. Are there any other hidden jewels in the Maxx, such as an inflatable jacuzzi in the hatch area?
BTW your efforts will likely help out others so thanks for giving "real world" experience to the info I provided.
Probably glove box is difficult to pull down because it is a service type of procedure and designers, of course, wanted to make absolutely sure that the door didn't just fall open by itself like that when someone opens door forcefully.
Another possible filter would be the final stage Allergen filter used by Hoover Uprights. These are green/yellow/white and can be cut/trimmed to fit a lot of products.
I hate to tell you this but I think the GM engineers might have had some of the (at the time) proposed filters at the clinic you participated in. Did you have HVAC folks look at your vehicle for anything?
If there is ever another opportunity to attend a GM clinic (how __does__ one get selected for those? I remember filling out 3 surveys when the car was new) , I will be happy to chat again with the engineers and offer feedback (perhaps they might be interested in how the car is holding up ??).
Incidently, I moderate on a vacuum forum (if you'd like more info please let me know how to contact you privately)
We are considering an 05 Maxx LS for our next vehicle. I've been reading through the posts and it looks like the problems being discussed are mainly for the 04's. Which of course makes sense since the 05's haven't been out too long. Are there any TSB's/recalls that I need to be aware of for the '05 model?
Thanks in advance.
The other thing is that these Clinics always occur at same locations around the country, so you have a leg up there being out in California close enough to GM Training Center in Burbank which is one of the locations
The only TSB I might want to mention is that some early 2005 Maxx had the fuel gauge not going to full problem which affected some last 2004 Maxx models (TSB #04-08-49-025).
here is what I found....
1) Very easy to open the glove box past its stops (trick is to push inward on the glovebox door side near the tubular stop while also pressing outward on surrounding dash trim plastic. Was able to pop the glove box door past stops in about 15 seconds.
2. towards top of glove compartment bay, was long narrow door held closed by single flip tab. Releasing flip tab, door hinged down revealing upper part of fan chamber.
3. gently slid Saturn filter into this chamber...it pretty much fit into the space! Had no trouble closing the filter chamber door.
So this looks promising!
One Big Caveat: There is absolutely nothing between the bottom of that flimsy saturn paper filter and the maxx HVAC fan blades (the saturn filter came without any holder). If for any reason that saturn paper filter collapses, it will get sucked into the fan and shredded to bits and possibly jam the heater system with paper.
There is enough space within the HVAC housing for a "filter holder" that could contain the Saturn filter.
My question (e2helper, any GM expert here): Does the Saturn HVAC use a special holder for their paper filter? Is that holder removable (slides in and out, with the saturn ION filter)?
And yes, there are some furnace filters with nice plastic frames and sturdy grilles that could possibly be trimmed to fit!
Does the '05 have the updated sunshades?
Thanks again!
Home Depot sells the WEB ABSORBER, a cut-to-fit furnace prefilter with a somewhat sturdy plastic grille, charcoal filter and electret filter. The plastic grille acts as a support and prevents the filter media from sagging/getting sucked into the furnace (or Maxx) HVAC blower.
Lining up the Saturn ION cabin filter to the plastic grille, it trimmed to match almost exactly.
Will advise if this grille and saturn filter will fit the Maxx in a day or so.
As far as the oil leaks go, they put dye in the engine oil along with a leak finder powder substance around the valve cover and rear main seal after cleaning it up. After a drive, no leaks were found. That's good news.
He also said that the Maxx has a very good motor and transmission and should last 150000 miles.
The rattles I'm having seem to only occur when it's colder, in the 30's I'd say. No progress on these.
I'm interested in this cabin filter as well, I'd never had a car with one. Can you really tell the difference? Would a local auto parts store carry them?
e2helper, is it a good idea to disconnect the battery cables to clean & put anticorrosion spray on them every winter? My mom's GM car tends to corrode these cables and they become welded to the battery and the battery and cables end up being ruined. The reason I asked, is when I bought the car, they had to jump start it and all of the warning lights remained on and the car had to go to service to be put on the scan tool. Thanks.
I can't get over all the hidden "features" these cars have.
These cars do have one feature that I haven't exactly figured out yet though. Maybe you can clarify it for me e2helper. There is a pull out/down door on the driver's side of the steering wheel below the pedal adjuster controls and the fog light switch. The door is in the same spot the driver's side cupholder was on the 1997 Malibu. When I first found it, I thought it was one of those cupholders until I opened it. It's a pretty small compartment that isn't lined with rubber or anything.
My second thought was that maybe it is a changeholder or something. Right now I'm not so sure, because there is so much attention to detail everywhere else that I'd expect a rubber liner of some sort to prevent change from rattling around if that was it.
Good question!
jerry: that small door is used for lip balm and breath mints in my car. Packs of gum won't fit very well. Anybody else have a good use?
The saturn ION air filter does not quite fill the space, however. There are small gaps on either side. Those adventuresome souls (which I may be one of) can put small pieces of foam along the edge of the ION filter for better sealing.
I'll fire up the HVAC tonight and see if any problems arise.
Also, how often would you change the filter? Any tell-tale signs of when it needs changing?
I think I know some of the answers, but would really like to be enlightened.
maxx4me: the lip balm fits perfectly in the cubbie-hole at the top front of the center console box.
If I remember right, Saturn claims around 20K miles per cabin filter but I suspect in dusty areas it will need changing much sooner. A major reduction in airflow or "whistling" sounds (caused by air being sucked around the blocked filer) would signal time for replacing
Meanwhile, the grille and filter addition I reported on earlier seem to be working (no unusual noises from the fan nor ductwork). There may be a small reduction in maximum airflow (may experiment with other media) but for now, so far , so good.
I'd be ordering a 2005 in spring. It does sound as though the bulk of the problems are with the 2004s. (And, as usual, the erratic dealerships.)
My problem is that the Maxx will cost me just enough that it will really upset me if it gives me much grief.
Thoughts?
And special thanks again to e2helper.
Any car that gives me much grief, bothers me quite a bit - regardless of how much I paid for it.
By spring 2005, it will still be too early to tell about long-term quality/reliability of Maxx. So a purchase will still be somewhat of a leap of faith. I felt the vehicle was worth rolling the dice for, since it seems Chevy really put a lot of thought into it and initial quality and materials seem quite good.
We've put 1500 miles on our 2004 LT demo, which had 5300 when we bought it. I have not detected any problems with it so far.
Personally, I will not be fitting our Maxx with the homemade cabin air filter that other folks have so helpfully researched and evaluated. It just doesn't seem necessary for us.
avg external temp 35 deg F
mostly flat surface
driver, no passengers, 50 lbs cargo
no AC
6 engine starts
78 mph avg highway speed, 90% with cruise engaged
90% highway miles
227.5 miles, 7.6 gallons used
According to the Driver Info Center, 1 mph increments affect fuel economy a LOT.
I will continue to monitor our Maxx's fuel economy each and every tankful. Hopefully it will do even better than 30 mpg at slightly lower speeds.