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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 44 of 44

#423 of 433 2007 implala key fob doesn't always work by dorgos

Jul 04, 2012 (8:05 pm)

I have a 2007 Chevy Impala with an odd issue. Most of the neither of the two key fobs work. However as soon as we unlock the door with the key they both start working fine. Five minutes later they stop working again until we unlock a door with the key. We have tried reprogramming both fobs but it doesn't seem to fix it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

#424 of 433 Engine Shuts Off While Driving, Starts Right Back Up by angielynn

Jul 29, 2012 (7:14 pm)

So I just bought my 2003 Impala used, less than 3 weeks ago. I had previously owned a 2000 Impala, which I drove until just recently. I would still be driving her had she not finally died after 265,000 (hard) miles. I STILL love that car.
I am having a crazy and potentially dangerous problem. It started with me driving down the road, about 50 miles an hour, and my dash lights all flash on. My gauges drop to nothing. My message center first displays the red "battery" light, then shows nothing. My power steering shuts off, ABS doesn't work, and I throw it in neutral as I coast to the side of the road. I stop, throw it in "Park", and turn the key off. Wait a second, then turn my key to "On" and wait until I hear my fuel pump cycle and everything resets itself. Turn the key, starts right up like it never happened. No evidence of the incident remains, not even the "Check Engine" light. This will not happen on my 47 mile commute in to work, yet on my ride home it could happen 1-8 times, maybe more if I have to go further.
I took it to the shop, no codes show and of course it doesn't happen when they're in the car. They replaced the TPS sensor. The 30 mile ride home from the shop (at 2pm), no incidents. 4 days later, 47 mile ride in to work (6am), no problem. Ride home from work (6:30pm) shuts off exactly like before, 3 separate times.
Today, shut down 3 times exactly like before, the 4th time the entire dash flat-lined, all gauges, the P R N D 3 2 1 shift icons, shut off. The only light remaining belonged to my odometer. The car was still driving. Engine never shut off, ran fine for 5 miles with no dash activity (aside from the odmeter still rolling) and shut off totally like before.
My Impala has a V6, 3.6 engine. I put in the (barely 3 month old) battery from my '00, so I've already done that. The TPS sensor. I have heard of a "Crank Sensor" that may be the culprit. Also the "BCM".
I know this is a lot of information, but I hope to cover all the bases. I'm not looking for alternator, starter, or an actual engine mechanical suggestion. With the research I have put into this issue, I'm leaning towards electrical/sensor/computer issue.
I loved my '00, and I'm not willing to complain about how awful these cars are. I've had nothing but good luck with the Impala brand. My '00 had a few electrical 'ghosts' as well-the turn signal only worked if I pushed slightly on the hazard switch, I had to remove the stock stereo because it would cycle (with no disc) until my battery died. Those issues were easy to overlook when compared to never having to replace anything mechanical (aside from normal wear-and-tear) for almost 10 years. I am a die-hard Impala lover, for better or for worse.
So please, anyone with any suggestions, please reply. I want to make sure I do as much research as possible before I start a trek that could be very expensive. Thank you for reading through this long post, I am open to any suggestions.

#425 of 433 Re: Engine Shuts Off While Driving, Starts Right Back Up [angielynn] by cob

Jul 31, 2012 (10:23 am)

Replying to: angielynn (Jul 29, 2012 7:14 pm)
I have yet to experience this problem in my 2004 Impala but from what I have read over the past few years the symptoms you have described are from either a battery going bad or the BCM going bad.

#426 of 433 Re: Engine Shuts Off While Driving, Starts Right Back Up [cob] by angielynn

Aug 01, 2012 (6:08 pm)

Replying to: cob (Jul 31, 2012 10:23 am)
Thanks for the help! I did the battery thing, and that didn't help. Right now they're changing a part that is involved with the computer. I forget what it is, but I know that it is a roughly $500 part. The hard part was getting it to happen while it was in the shop. The BCM shouldn't have been it (according to the shop) because my door locks, windows, lights, or any of the other electrical body components weren't acting up. My dashboard, and the engine were all that seemed affected. I am getting the car back tomorrow, and I will post what part we replaced, and whether or not it fixes the problem. I hope it works, but I'm pretty realistic about electrical problems. It can take time to find the real culprit.

#427 of 433 Re: Engine Shuts Off While Driving, Starts Right Back Up [angielynn] by angielynn

Aug 08, 2012 (7:32 am)

Replying to: angielynn (Aug 01, 2012 6:08 pm)
So I just got my car back yesterday. I had the ECM changed. It's a $500 part of my computer that (I guess) tells my car what to do and in what order to drive down the road. I drove around for a few hours after picking it up, put almost 150 miles on just trying to shut it off. So far so good. Not one hiccup. If anything changes, I will post what happens and what we do to fix it. Money is no object on this one, because the car only had 33,000 miles on it when I got it (I know, pretty good for a 2003) so our bank offered an awesome warranty that I will be availing myself of any service I need to to figure this issue out.

#428 of 433 Re: 2007 implala key fob doesn't always work [dorgos] by morrism817

Aug 21, 2012 (8:55 pm)

Replying to: dorgos (Jul 04, 2012 8:05 pm)
Easy fix bro. take apart your key fob and carefully bend the battery contacts out slightly and swap the 2023 remote battery for a 2032 remote battery. perfect fix will never fail again. i had the same issue.

#430 of 433 Daytime Running Light circuit goes crazy by bostonbirmy

Dec 10, 2012 (2:12 pm)

I have an 01 Impala purchased new. I have been very pleased...good economy, comfortable, great looks. Recently I have encountered a problem connected with the Daytime Running Lights. When driving daytime with the DRL "on", the entire lighting system, including dashboard lamps will go into rapid oscillation with accompanying noise like the clicking of a relay from the area behind the dash on the passenger side. This occurs when the car passes into shadow, such as that of an underpass. I can simulate same by putting my hand over the photodiode on the dash. There is supposed to be a time delay built into the system so that short passages into darkness do not produce such an effect. Oh yes, if I pull out the headlight switch, the relay noise persists but the lights no longer flash off and on. Driving at night there is no problem. Anyone have this problem or heard about it?

#431 of 433 Re: Daytime Running Light circuit goes crazy [bostonbirmy] by revjim64

Dec 11, 2012 (10:14 am)

Replying to: bostonbirmy (Dec 10, 2012 2:12 pm)
Sounds like the symptoms of a faulty BCM (Body Control Module)
Your best bet is to have the dealer diagnose this. If the BCM needs replacement you are probably looking at $500-600 dollars. Unfortunately you can not replace this yourself because it requires special programing that involves a computer and typing in your VIN #.
 
Good luck! Other common problems for this model vehicle is defective high/low beam combination switch. Faulty Passlock sensors, Noisey ISS shaft in steering columnn, intake manifold gasket leaks, and recall on cat converter. Other than that it is a smooth riding car!

#432 of 433 2003 Impala Power to Heater Blower, Cruise Control, and Info Center by scotte67

Dec 31, 2012 (3:18 pm)

I am trying to troubleshoot why my heater blower, cruise control and info center above my rear-view mirror has stopped working. I am trying to confirm power to an orange wire next to the driver-side fuse box. I have confirmed no power at the fuses. I am hoping the problem is the wire box below the fuse box and not the ignition switch. I have a wiring diagram and the power feed to these three fuses is via an Orange wire. There are two Orange wires in the box, I am trying to determine which one feeds the fuses for these three devices. I have a picture of the fuse box. Any help is appreciated.

Messages Page 44 of 44

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