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Chevrolet Impala Lighting/Electrical Problems

433 messages,  Last post on Mar 21, 2013 at 9:44 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Impala, Lights, Electrical, Sedan

Messages Page 33 of 44

#321 of 433 Re: BCM problems? [impaled] by revjim64

Jun 21, 2009 (9:38 am)

Replying to: impaled (Jun 20, 2009 10:38 pm)
I purchased my 2002 Impala, new from a dealership in Oct of 2001. I did not purchase the extended warranty and my BCM went bad right around 40,000 miles.
The car wasn't even 3 years old but it had over 36000 miles on it so the warranty was expired. I paid $360 to have the BCM replaced and I fought with GM Customer Service and they agreed to refund me for half the repair costs. About a year later my Passlock sensor burned out. That was about $400.00 to replace. I had to replace my headlight hi/lo beam combination switch because the headlights would go out when I switched to high beams. This is really unsafe when you are driving down the highway at nite and your headlights go out!
Chevy should have recalled both the BCMs and Combination Switches!
 Also my intake manifold was leaking so I had to add a can of stop leak in the radiator.
It was cheaper than paying the Chevy Dealership $600 to replace the gasket.
 
Chevy's are total junk!!
I am disgusted that our tax dollars are bailing them out!
I will by Jap Cars from now on!! Detroit hasn't built a decent car since 1967!
My 1967 Chevelle Malibu was more reliable than my 2002 Impala!!
 

#322 of 433 Re: BCM problems? [revjim64] by impaled

Jun 21, 2009 (12:37 pm)

Replying to: revjim64 (Jun 21, 2009 9:38 am)
Wow! I had a feeling this was the beginning of a long road of problems. This car is in pristine condition - despite the age. Super-clean engine, single owner, no accident history, etc.
 
What are your thoughts on the fact that I replaced the BCM and the very next day the battery was "deader than dead". Just seems odd that they checked everything when I was there and the very next time I go to start it after taking it home from the dealership - it won't start! Do you think there is any possibility it was a false diagnosis? I just needed a new battery NOT a BCM? Or is just like this one thing after another fails....
 
I want to sell it and buy a Honda, Toyota...even a Nissan would be better than this aggravation!
 
Thanks for replying!!

#323 of 433 Re: Problems by ryster

Jun 21, 2009 (2:18 pm)

The thing with any car is that it will start to have problems as it gets older. Doesn't matter if it is a Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Chevy, etc. Honda/Acura has had transmission issues, as has Toyota. Nissan also has some known issues with some of their models.
 
My '06 Impala has just about 42,500 miles on it. I bought it new 3 years ago.
 
While it was still under warranty, it needed its fair share of repairs. Brakes, power steering, steering shaft, water pump. There were also some other repairs I could have had done under warranty, but elected to avoid the hassle. The problems were frustrating, but were resolved. I have been car shopping, and have included some GM models on my list.
 
My parents had an '03 Impala LS. They put about 43,000 miles on it and had no issues other than 1 recall. They wanted something new and traded it a couple of years ago.
 
In the past 20 years I have owned 10 cars. Overall, the GMs and Chryslers were the most reliable of the bunch. The Ford vehicles I owned were a disaster. The VW I had was a waste of time and money.
 
Buying a car is purely luck of the draw from any manufacturer. You will either get a good example, or a problematic one.
 
impaled - the dealer you went to should have tested the battery as part of the original repair. A bad battery would have shown up at that time. You may want to work with the dealer and see if they would agree to split the cost of the new battery. Realistically, they should share in the cost of replacing it considering they failed to properly diagnose the problem and gave the car back to you with a bad part that immediately left you stranded. A new battery should not cost $200.00. The battery itself should be around $75, installation should take no more than 1/2 hour...maybe another $50 labor at the most.
 
I don't think the cars themselves are totally to blame. The dealers who cannot properly repair vehicles are also a factor.

#324 of 433 Problems by impaled

Jun 21, 2009 (9:52 pm)

Thanks for the good advice, ryster. You're right.....it's the luck of the draw. I just happen to also own a 2000 Honda Civic Coupe that has 128K miles and has never given me any problems. Then again, no BCM in that car
 
I left the car at the dealership over the weekend. The big boss will be there tomorrow. Hopefully, the issue will be resolved quickly. Why do these things always happen right before a road trip?!

#325 of 433 Signal light problems by fedup16

Jun 22, 2009 (9:19 am)

I have a 2000 chevy Impala and so far has been a fairly good car. However, late last year I started having problems with my signal lights and the hazardous light switch. So i took it to the shop & got the hazardous light button replaced and the signal lights worked fine. However, a couple of months ago my signal lights were not working again and my high beams wouldn't stay on either so, I took it the shop and got the turn signal switch replaced which I believe ,they call it a multi-functional switch and my signal lights were working great. Now my signal lights are not working once again and when I try to turn my signal on it makes a buzzing noise and my airbag light, battery light and brake light comes on. Any clue to what this could possibly be? Be aware that everything else is working on the car. I replaced my battery today and my alternator is just fine being that I got it tested as well. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated being that every trip to the shop is at least 350+.

#326 of 433 Re: Signal light problems [fedup16] by kdconod

Jun 22, 2009 (9:50 am)

Replying to: fedup16 (Jun 22, 2009 9:19 am)
I had to replace the hazard switch on my Impala 2000. I did not have any of the other problems you mention. Could it be possible you got a bad switch? It might be worth replacing it again. To save money you can do it yourself. I have step by step instructions on Flickr:
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/93599926N00/sets/72157602620999931/
 
The air bag light etc might be due to the bad switch. I seem to recall something odd that the signals are on the same circuit as the airbag sensor.

#327 of 433 Re: Signal light problems [fedup16] by kdconod

Jun 22, 2009 (9:54 am)

Replying to: fedup16 (Jun 22, 2009 9:19 am)
The hazard switch is GM part #10359031. Costs about $45.
 
GM Parts

#329 of 433 Re: Problems [ryster] by impaled

Jun 22, 2009 (10:28 am)

Replying to: ryster (Jun 21, 2009 2:18 pm)
I posted earlier about replacing my BCM because the car wouldn't start. Then the very next day, the car wouldn't start! Dealership said it needed a new battery.
  
Anyway, went in this a.m. to talk to the service manager and he sold us a battery at a discounted price of $59.99 and didn't charge anything for installation/labor. Hopefully, all problems are solved

#330 of 433 Turn signal switch by fedup16

Jun 22, 2009 (11:59 am)

Does anyone happen to have step by step instuctions on how to open the steering column in order to replace the turn signal switch. Its called a multi-functional switch but it is the switch you use to turn your signals on and off and for your high beam as well. So it is the the lever that comes off of your steering column on the left hand side, NOT the hazardous button switch. Im needing to replace turn signal lever so anyones instructions are appreciated....Thanks in advance......

Messages Page 33 of 44

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