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Chevrolet Impala: Problems & Solutions
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Comments
The flickering light symptom is apparently a problem that has occurred on many different GM vehicles.
For those that have had the problem and applied the TSB cited above (which simply involves replacing an alternator/regulator grounding bolt- a $5.00 part)...
QUESTION 1- Have you with your IMPALA been told that the flickering lights were caused by a defective alternator that was overcharging the battery?
QUESTION 2- Does anyone know what is the maximum voltage that should be coming off the alternator to charge the battery?
QUESTION 3- Could a bad grounding bolt account for higher than normal voltages from the alternator?
Thanks.
dura
Thanks in advance.
I just bought my '04 base Impala last week, and I was reconsidering my decision to get the extended warranty. I agree with your posting. Also, my experiences with any kind of insurance/warranties is that they do everything to avoid paying a claim.
I thought I'd subscribe to this list to get any heads-up on potential problems. Anything that should concern me? It's a base Impala, sedan sport option package, 1SC option package.
Is www.Mygmlink.com valuable to owners? It says that it can remind owners of upcoming maintenance or any recall issues. I suspect that I'll get more info here, but I wonder if you guys are signed up.
Thanks!
Anyone else having a similar problem ?
Thanks
I've never had a key fob before, and I am just learning what it does. Since I don't have the driver info system/alarm, is this just a convenience in opening or closing the doors? I mean, nothing happens if I open the door with the key, right?
Also, I have never had a car that has only one key for the doors, trunk and starter. Always used to give just one key to the valet--the starter. Now, if I go to valet parking (I usually don't), they will have access to the car, starter and trunk. What do you do in this situation?
Thanks so much.
Enjoy your Impala!
Thanks!
But isn't that if you have the driver information center and alarm option? My alarm doesn't go off in this type of situation.
I would love to add an alarm option, but I am not sure that's possible. My insurance company did tell me that having the special key requirements to connect the fuel system on startup is the best theft deterrent, but I'd like something for contents.
Having a separate key for the trunk is actually useless for my car, with fold-down back seat, come to think of it.
I am amazed at the people who are excited by my new Impala--the guys who like to work on cars! I was getting a spare key for my other key ring in case of lockout (I know, it won't start the car), and told the car buff customer next to me that I just bought an Impala. He got so excited, saying what a great car it is, but I thought he was just being nice. Friday, a grocery clerk was helping me take my groceries out to my car, and I was telling him that my car's a new Impala--like it's no big deal. Wow, he kept telling me what a GREAT car it is--that he works on cars for fun with friends! He just was so excited, you should have seen his face as I showed him the features of the car. My mechanic, and the guys who work for him, rated the Impala over the cars I gave him in a list.
Feels great to know that the guys who work on cars love the Impala!
The dealership mechanic--what did he tell you about when the lights SHOULD come on? My new '04 owner's manual said that "a sensor on top of the instrument panel, makes the DRL work, so be sure it isn't covered.... When it's dark enough outside, your high-beam headlamps will turn off and the headlamps and parking lamps will turn on...."
For me, this is great. The headlights automatically come on when I hit a patch of road that is in shadow from a building, is really overcast, or when I go into an underground parking structure. When I leave those areas and the sensor senses enough light, it goes off.
Of course, the manual says you still have to turn the lights on when it gets dark/night--to have full brightness. I'm amazed at how many people think DRL means they never have to turn their lights on or off again.
Hope this helps you, arby!
Need some advice
Temperature gauge only going to the 2nd line. It usually runs close to half. Heater only putting out warm air but not hot like it used too. Checked both radiator and overflow levels. Radiator full and overflow container is between cold and hot. I have driven the car more than 30 miles to work and it still did not warm up as it usually does.
I called the dealership about problem and asked if it might be a thermostat. They said if it was a thermostat, it would cost over $200.00. They said it could be the gauge. I told them that it doesn't put the heat out like it used to. Then they said it could be a sensor or another problem and will need to be brought in to be checked. They said it could cost up to 4 to $500.00 if it was a sensor or more depending on what they find.
I am hoping with all the experienced people at there, someone could give me some ideas and assurance that this is a reasonable or unreasonable cost to look forward to or any other advice.
What happened to the days of buying a thermostat for a couple dollars and changing it yourself?
The DRL are ON always. the sensor on top of the dash is for the Lights. If its dark/cloudy your driving lights will automatically turn on. Or if you feel handy, you can turn them on the old fashion way if you like driving with your lights on during the day.
Even if you want to turn off your lights at night, you cant!. try it.
supposely, if your car is overheating, you can run the heater and that will remove some of the heat from the engine.
just a thought.
Thanks, but please remember that I was trying to be helpful, when no one else answered this person's post. All I know is that my headlights come on when I hit a dark area. I didn't know that other lights came on at other times. I just got my car 2 weeks ago.
;(
I have had this car since 2001 and know what it is suppose to do, even in the winter. I drive the car more than 2 or 3 miles, I drive 30 miles one way to work, more than enough time for the car to warm up to the temperature it should be at.
The problem isn't with the engine overheating, it is not reaching the proper temperature as it should be to allow enough warm air to be blown into the interior of the car.
I hope this information helps clarify the problem that I am having.
Going to change the thermostat again. It's a 10 minute job, requiring a 10mm socket. If that doesn't work, reasonably confident that will fix the issue. I'll probably go back to the 180 in a few months until next winter.
Do it yourself, it's easy, fun and costs $10 instead of $200.
Regards,
Mike "Greasy Fingers" Kulina
If youre going to check your lights at night, note that they wont come on until you either release the parking break or shift into gear. Also note that you cant turn them off either unless you engage the parking break or put into park.
The DRLs are suppose to be on during the day rain/sun/snow unless its dark enough and the dash sensor turns on your lights, or you turn the on manually.
also, you cant turn off your DRLs. unless there is some aftermarket feature installed.
The previous post has a good point and if youre a DIY then try that. A simple thing to check is the thermostat. run the car and see if the intake to the radiator will get hot. after the thermostat reaches a certain temp (not sure what stock temp thermostat is), it should open the hose will get hot.
regarding the overheating issue, i mentioned not because your car is overheating, but becuase when you use the heater it draws heat from the engine.
I will be taking the car to the dealership today and will let you know the outcome.
Thank you!
If your temp gauge is at or above normal reading and you still aren't getting heat inside the car it means either the thermastat is not opening enough to allow flow, or you have a clogged heater core. Suggest you have the system flushed and a proper new thermostat and fresh anti freeze installed. Arby.
that guy was on the phone, I left him a message, asked him to call me back. One hour passed, no response, I went to the dealer. That guy was on the phone, pretended didn't see me. I standed there for about 15 mins, finally he says - what I can do for you, I say what the status? He says - Oh, I just about to call you, it will take longer, how about come back end of tomorrow? I say - are they working on it? he says - no, haven't looked into it yet, they are busy on other things. I asked - how about the oil change? Answer - no, can you wait for another day? I said - forget it, give me my car, don't waste my time.
I am really mad, they let the car sleep there for two days without even look into it, even didn't do the oil change, and no update to me on what's going on. I have been a die hard GM fun, but now I think the Impala will be my last GM car, when the lease is up in 1.5 years, I will go for a Ford. The other car of ours is a Ford, the dealer experiences are a lot much better.
The problem is fixed when you replace the hazard switch itself, it contains the turn signal elextronics inside of its housing, and it protrudes about 3 inches back from the button you press from the front. I replaced mine when I had the problem you are having and it fixed it immediately. Girlfreind's 2000 Malibu had the same problem , same fix - just a different part number.
When you buy it at the dealer, explain you need to purchase the button/switch, NOT THE RELAY!! The relay is a seperate part and generally not the cause of this problem. They may try to sell you both parts at the same time, but you wont need to buy the relay which is a seperate part and part number.
Middle Age Guy
Foggy weather may not be dark enough to activate the regular lights. Fog seems to account for the few times I have had to turn on my lights manually.
My vehicle is past the 36,000 mileage warranty. The service manager at the dealer had no constructive suggestions on how I might repair and/or replace these buttons. Can anyone help?
Other than the two issues, I really like this car. Can anyone relate to what I'm saying. If I can't do something to get a little more comfortable, I'm going to take a bath on a trade.
I don't know what part of the country you are in, but is there a good "Relax the Back Store" near you? Many of them are staffed by former physical therapists (I think the chain was started by one), and they might be able to give you a little expertise.
When I was considering the type of seat to look for, I went to their store. They had a bucket seat set up so that you could try it with different types of cushions. The store manager would also go out to a car with me, and help me problem solve. The manager told me of only 3 cars that he never sees, needing help for seating comfort--BMW, Volvo, and I forgot the last one.
They let me try every cushion in the store, after I brought my new car around. I knew the Impala was the best fit, after I rented one for the weekend. And I knew which cushion would make it more comfy, by my prior testing.
There are many types of cushions and foam. Some are more dense than others. You might want to look for a denser piece of foam/cushion that is only big enough to fit in the soft center, so that the whole seat is firm for you.
If you don't have a "Relax the Back" store, there are probably similar stores. Just ask around--your doctor, or a physical therapist. Places for people with back pain are all over, and there are lots of products--even if you don't have back pain! There are places, found in the phone book, you might find that sell foam--all kinds--and you can have a cover sewn on for cheap. It would be a shame to have to lose money on your car.
I think the reason the Impala is more comfortable for me is that I've spent most of my life in Chevys! Even so, I didn't like the position of the pedals on the Malibu, and it's one reason I didn't buy one. I don't know what to suggest to you on pedal position. Maybe if you get the seating issue changed, the pedals won't be as much of a problem. You might also considering adjusting the seat differently.
If you are considering getting a different car, you might consider renting one for a whole weekend. I learned a lot from the rental, and even more the second day, about the comfort and features for my needs.
Hope this is helpful to you. I hope you'll report back with positive news...
I haven't scheduled anything since my wife is now driving the Impala with her own seat cushion invention. We'll see how long that lasts before she wants our Vibe back.
I've talked to a couple of dealers about trades, but we would just be pounded by doing something now. I will have the seat re-done before giving up.
I checked again with my dealer about adjusting the throttle/gas pedal so that I could rest my foot on it when up to a relatively steady speed. They again said that is controlled by the computer and there is nothing they can do. I understand some Bonneville owners have the same complaint.
It sort of reminds me of the time I had a Pontiac Sunbird and you could not use the visors without hitting the rear view mirror. That's GM for you.
Thank you,
RH58201
I refuse to pay.
connectpoint2003@yahoo.com