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Comments
jimbou
With Oldsmobile no longer around, I'm not sure who you bring it to. My recall notice sent me to a Chevy dealer 30 miles away. Kinda dumb when there are several GM dealers in the local area. I would check with a local dealer that was
Oldsmobile and see what they say about the recall.
DC
DC
Thanks. I will check this out with the local dealer.
pipb
The dealer tore apart the trannie and found damage. Something about a clutch plate starting to fail. Anyway to the guy who posted the original message your transmission is on its way out. The dealer is replacing mine under my extended warranty. The service tech gave my old transmission maybe 6 to 12 months before it failed totally.
How do I reset the system to recongize the new switch???
Thanks,
Dave
If the engine stalls and the SECURITY light flashes, wait until the light stops flashing before trying to restart the engine. Remember to release the key from START as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine is running and the SECURITY light comes on, you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the engine off. However, your Passlock system is not working properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock at this time. You may also want to check the fuse. See your dealer for service.
Has anyone else had this problem? If so, how'd you fix it? I've had several mechanics tell me that it was really weird that the engine did not shut off (or at least shut off right away...it only shut off on me twice, but I had to pull to the side of the road about 6 times total). Could it be electrical or fuel related? Thanks!
My current thoughts are (in order):
- Clogged filter
- Clogged fuel injectors
Just curious if you've already resolved this issue and what the problem ended up being.
Since I made it through the spark plug change without any problems I was going to try and fix this on my own... Changing the filter first (attempting to start), then changing the fuel injectors if that didn't work.
Thanks,
~andrew
Here's another service bulletin which goes into various brake noises (squeaks, squeals, clunks or groans). It's for Nissan, but should apply to most other makes and models, too: Nissan Brake Noises
The problem is a little 'sock' filter that is on the fuel pump. It's poorly designed/constructed; when it gets really dirty, it tends to stick together under high pressures. From my understanding the sock is designed to block miniscule particles. Well, when the pressure causes the sock to collapse, the engine may or may not get enough fuel to remain running. All of this is why the problem is intermittent. Once the pressure drops enough, the sock will open back up, and the car will run as though there was no problem.
I may be wrong, but I think you can just have the sock filter replaced. It's funny...GM knew there was a problem; the replacement part is textured (the old part is not) to create a little friction so that it is less likely to stick together. I went ahead and replaced the whole fuel pump because my fuel gauge sensor was bad (for the second time). I had to keep up with my mileage to know how much gas I had.
Anyway, hope this helps!
Thank You :sick:
I still like my Alero and now let the 16 year old take it around locally. I'm going to get a motorcycle next as $3.00 a gallon in CA was too much. The Hybrids cars have higher insurance at this point so I'm going for something that gets 40-50 mpg. www.zapworld.com has some interesting models electric hybrids that get 50-60 mpg.
I'm still considering a last year 2004 Alero if they are still around with low mileage!
I didn't like the $3.00/gallon in CA either, but one thing I noticed was a lot less traffic when the prices were high.
:sick:By the way this is the 99 Alero V6 Twin Cam Engine with just over 100K. Owned for maybe three months. I had just had an oil change maybe two weeks ago.
Dealer replaced the transmission - fortunately, then I had an extended warranty. Turned to be, that with healthy transmission the car accelerated much better when warm too.
Low transmission fluid demonstrates the same symptoms. I know it because had a 88 Taurus with a leaky transmission hose. However, with Malibu transmission, it is impossible to check fluid level. Only mechanic can do it. and with The same with Alero if I understand it right...
I can't understand why GM don't fix this, as I've read about this on so many occasions, and they've been making this engine since the year dot!
The car has done 50,000 miles.
Lessons: Take an extended warranty I guess!
Does anyone know if $560 is a fair price? It is not a GM dealer, but a repair shop I have used for a couple of years now who have been very good to us.
My wife loves this car and it was incredible value when we purchased it, but we feel a bit pissed about having to spend so much money on a car that has done only 50,000 miles.
I was looking to buy the new Impala with the 3.9 engine in about a year (used of course), but am now concerned as to whether I might get the same problem.
Coming from England, I was unaware of this gasket problem until we bought the car I hasten to add!
Had the same problem with my 98 Malibu. Fixed at Firestone, paid about $550, 5 years ago. The last fall the gasket started to leak again. Dealer said: bad luck. My Chevy dealer guarantees most of repairs for life, while Firestone guarantees them for 6 months only, 12 months for AAA members.
By the way, GM improved design / materials for the gaskets and changed their part number. I read that the new gaskets do not leak anymore, or at least leaks very seldom.
Extended warranty costs much more that $560, by the way.
We collected the car this morning, so at least it is done.
Do you guys have any thoughts about extended private warranties? We looked at this when we bought our Alero. It does of course, allow you loads of options which then affects the premium paid. Even though we have paid $560, we are still saving money compared to the warranty. I suppose it is like all warranties and insurances, you take a chance or pay the premiums! We only do about 8,000 miles a year, so we did not bother.
One thing that has helped enormously, we changed the front tires to Bridgstones(I think they are G2009), from the B.F. Goodrich's, and what a difference! It has transformed the handling of the car without penalising ride comfort. Even in wet weather they grip really well. They cost about $100 each, but it could save your life if you have to steer out of an emergency situation.
I had similar tires of the predecessor model Firestone Firehawk SH-30 on my Malibu. The same tread pattern for the side strips of tires, different pattern for the central strip.
The tires almost completely changed the character of the somewhat boring car, it became a pleasure to drive. Great in rain. However, the tires, with big blocks and few sips, do not grip snow well. Decent while the tread is fresh and deep, but treacherous when about 1/2 of the original tread is still left.
Concerning warranty:
I had an extended warranty for my Malibu. It cost $1200, and paid $3000: $2500 to replace a broken transmission, and balance for two gasket repairs: about $550 for the intake manifold gasket, and another $250 or so for another gasket, do not remember was it water pump or oil pump. Not a big surprise that the warranty company went bankrupt and I had to pay myself for the subsequent repairs (air condition two times, alternator, cooling fluid tank). I traded in the car when dealer found that it needs a new steering rack and the intake manifold gasket leaks again.
I doubt, however, that it makes sense to buy a warranty when your car is already have 50k miles on it. GM does not sell warranties for such cars. And the companies which issue third party warranties can became bankrupt. I would rather suggest to budget about $1000 - $1500 per year for repairs, and to dispose of the car if it will eat more than about $2000 in a single year.
The "W" body GM cars, like Buick Regal or Chevy Impala, are more reliable.