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Comments
After the dealer said the hatch closing resistance was normal, I tried adjusting mine as well. With a door or window open, it closes easily. Without a path for the air to escape, it needs to be shut pretty hard and with even pressure or it doesn't latch.
My main complaint is that GM incured additional cost to use aluminum for a lighter hatch. Their extra money resulted in fussier closing and easy damage. Hope they move to steel for newer versions.
Metal versus glass weight for the Maxx hatch also effects how easy it opens and (theoretically) closes. With lighter aluminum far away from the hinge point - it "should" feel lighter and be easier to open/close.
You are right that doesn't make much difference in the overall vehicle weight.
1. When I fill the gas tank the fuel gauge only reads 3/4 full.
2. I have a message on the Info Center: Check Gas cap.
Anyone have these problems?
Regarding the dashboard logo, keep an eye out for 2006 models and you will see that something else is taking its place. Nothing fancy and hopefully Chevy will have some pics of new models soon with auto shows coming up.
If your dealer can't find it recommend they look at TSB #04-08-49-025
http://www.ai-online.com/issues/article_detail.asp?id=441
I kind of remember this article from original magazine.
e2helper: What is TSB #04-08-49-025?
Thanks.
Title is:
"Fuel Gauge Does Not Read Full When Fuel Tank is Full, Service Engine Soon (SES) Light On.....(Inspect Fuel Level Sensor Operation)"
- Came out in mid-October
My 04 Maxx was built sometime in Feb. The trans was built on 2/12 and has the howling problem, but is shifts just fine, IMO.
I do not know exact build date of my Maxx but suspect it was before 1/16 as I have never heard any howls from the trans, but will check trans date to be sure. My VIN last 6 digits are 155722.
Also thanks e2helper for hatch article link. Interesting from technical standpoint, for sure!
Will you kindly tell me my Maxx's build date?
166797. My guess is around 02/12/2004.
Is your real name:
Rick Wagoner, Jr.?
Jack Smith, Jr.?
Ron Zarella?
Thomas J. Davis?
Donald E. Hackworth?
Mike or Larry Burns?
Or, maybe you have lunch with these guys from time-to-time. (Just kidding...your info is great!).
I have not reported it to anyone because it would be too hard to duplicate. Mine had the chain and sprockets replaced. Thanks for any feed back you can give me.
Jerry: you win the prize man, regarding the adaptive technology in today's transmissions. I'll explain further in a moment. I took my car in today. First, the manager did not like the howl in my tranny. After going over the parts on a schematic that will be replaced, he said that I should have it done....so I will. The job takes two days, and they'll give me a rental.
Now for the real reason why I took my car in: the manager believes that it indeed is "learned behavior" from my driving habits. Nonetheless, he also won't dimiss the fact that when he flashed my PCM for the overdrive NOT kicking in fast enough at highway speeds, that the tranny might now be overcompensating in the other direction, and kicking in at too low a speed. Despite this theory, he stated that the tranny computer will allow my RPMs to fall when I take my foot off the gas at 35 mph, and will assume that I want the RPMs to remain low since I might be coming to a stop soon. I was under the impression that there would be a slight spike up in the RPMs as a result of the tranny already being in a state of overdrive, and the car is running too slowly to maintain that low RPM level should I decide to step on the gas.
e2helper: my service manager stated that I should ask you about TAP (adaptive technology). He said that there was some literature out there which described how I could "reprogram" my tranny's thinking so it would shift differently than it does now. He could not find the literature in his computer, and thought you might know where I should look.
He also stated that it is possible that the '05 Bu has different programming than the '04 tranny, and that is why my rental Maxx last week had so much zoom zoom in it.....or, it was peppy because it was a rental and that so many different people drive it and beat the heck out of it, causing the tranny to act the way it does. I will acknowledge that I am the only one who drives my Maxx, so coupling that with the fact of DC area stop and go driving, may indeed be the cause of my "overdrive too soon" delemma. Thoughts?
Good luck with your problems. Hope they solve them for you and you get your car back quick.
Incidently, when was the __first__ build date for the Maxxes (when they started actual production, excluding pilot runs / tests )?
Nice catch
Clue: check out how radio operates vs. power windows when you are in RAP when you start opening doors
Yep, window operation needs to work that way due to Federal Motor Vehicle Standards. The radio operation is slightly different to try to give customer a little more functionality so radio doesn't turn off if driver wanted to sit in vehicle listening to radio when just a passenger exits.
One thing I noticed is that if you are sitting with the car off listening to the the radio, and then start it without turning the radio off first, it cuts off then back on. That might not sound too surprising, but the '03 Trailblazer was the first GM I had owned with the RAP feature, and it's radio stayed on even while the starter was engaged. I think I understand why you'd want accessories off while the car cranks over (reducing battery draw until the alternator takes over), but this never caused any issues with the TB.
Sorry for straying slightly off topic. It was just a neat fact about another GM vehicle I've owned.
Hmm. Maybe I can bring it back on topic a bit- the TB didn't have the dual-level RAP. If ANY door opened all the accessories including the radio cut off. That IS a really nice feature with the Malibu.
If these problems are due to design flaws, should I be worried that my steering or transmission failure are just a matter of time? What are the odds that I can keep this car for the planned 10 or 12 years and not have trouble.
I'm 6'4" and no lightweight, but the Maxx is more comfortable than any car I have owned (Explorer, Caddie SLS). It has good power and great fuel economy. If I could just talk my wife into trading the 97 Explorer for another Maxx. She has her heart set on a new SUV and they all seem so overpriced and impractical.
Congrats on your vehicle
I guess everyone else copied you
Sedan started production a few months earlier that year :P
If same thing happens after cycling the fuse then the system is telling you it doesn't want to move because there is something wrong so you will need to take it in for service.
System only works with transmission in Park if ignition ON or anytime when ignition is OFF.
I know it is annoying but once the diagnostic for this fault sets it will take a few passes of the test for it to clear and because the test only runs under certain conditions once you see the message you can't get rid of it immediately.
Believe it or not that message was added to try to help customers avoid the common occurrence of taking the vehicle to dealer with a Check Engine Light and find out it was because they (or gas station attendent) didn't put the gas cap on tight.
What happens with your XM? Give some more details if you get a chance. I might have a suggestion.
The remote start function will not work when you have a fault that is causing a check engine light.
Trunk release button on key fob does have a delay of almost up to 1 second to prevent inadvertent activations. Try holding button a little longer and see if that is it.