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Chevrolet Uplander Electrical Problems

218 messages,  Last post on Sep 06, 2012 at 8:32 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Uplander, Van

Messages Page 3 of 23

#17 of 218 Re: 2006 Chevy Uplander Electrical Problems [tmcgee06] by tmcgee06

Aug 23, 2006 (6:26 am)

Replying to: tmcgee06 (Aug 10, 2006 4:19 pm)
Update to the Electrical problem.
 
I have been in contact with my dealship's distric manager, they so much as told me that GM has no fix for the flickering light problem. Since I have posted this, they won't even bring my van back in to attempt anything, a stall tatic on there part. (Lemon Law) Other dealerships have tried to replacing the alternator and in most cases this has Not fixed the lighting issue. So NOW I am trying to get them to buy this nightmare back; and put my wife into an 07 with the 3.9 engine, since I heard that this fixes the problem... Anyone have any other input on the new 07 models...
 
Joe - PA

#18 of 218 Lights flickering, mileage, and tire rotation by cla1

Aug 15, 2006 (8:54 pm)

A response with our experience on the lights--after fairly servere flickering on a night trip last fall, went to the dealer with the TSB # on this. They replaced the alternator (at least that's what the service ticket said) and the problem has been solved. I still don't understand the voltage variation reported on the information screen, seems to go from low 12's up to mid 14's with no rhyme or reason. Also does anyone else have a wildly fluctuating instant mileage number. Ours goes from 15 to 42 to 22 to 38 to 16, all within split seconds. The overall mileage readout seems to be accurate but the instant is unusable. On both our Olds and Venture, the readout was steady and useful, and btw, much easier to read than this one. On a recent 500 mile plus trip, not heavily loaded, we got 26.5 which I thought was good. Mostly expressway driving about 70.
 
Our tires were rotated by the dealer at last oil change (I never trust them to do it by the manual and not use their air wrenches to tighten them incorrectly) and of course they now have warped rotors so I have a shudder at high speeds when braking. We have about 25k miles.

#19 of 218 Re: Lights flickering, mileage, and tire rotation [cla1] by jerrywimer

Aug 16, 2006 (11:48 am)

Replying to: cla1 (Aug 15, 2006 8:54 pm)
Your observations on the voltage variation and the instant mileage readouts exactly mirror our own with the Terraza. I pretty much have taken to not even bothering with the instant readout, but the voltage variation was explained as part of the new electrical setup GM now uses to save fuel. Basically the engine drag by the alternator is somehow reduced when less current is needed, and a computer evaluates (constantly) the need. So the varying range is supposedly an accurate reading of what is going on. Unfortunately it may also have something to do with the flickering headlight issue (not the readout, the actual system)..
 
Your mileage observations on the trip are pretty much in line with ours also, though we actually achieved nearly 29 on one leg of the trip home to visit my parents, and 26.3 on the way back. These vans are especially efficient highway cruisers for sure.
 
Last of all- the last time I let the dealership rotate the tires we ended up with shuddering brakes. That led to a nightmare of visits back to them. The first time to turn the rotors- no good. Second time to fix again, worked, but left van sitting outside in a hailstorm.. third time attempted to address hail damage (no body shop at our dealership so they contract a local shop). Fourth time to correct the overspray all over the front from the previous visit..
 
If the dealership hadn't been going out of their way to address all these issues without a penny from my pocket (including loaner vehicles, and a step up to a larger loaner when my wife complained about the dealership's Cobalt), I may've given up on them. As it stands they finally managed to rectify everything. But they won't be seeing our van for rotations ever again. And I watched the Wal-mart guy do the job like a hawk, as I mentioned earlier (used a torque wrench to make sure the lugs weren't overly or unevenly snugged down).

#20 of 218 Light Flickering and Front A/C problems by stobar

Sep 08, 2006 (10:28 pm)

I have been reading past posts, and was wondering if a firm remedy has yet to be made on how to fix the flickering light issue? I just noticed it in my 2005 Terraza this week. Not that bad, but enough cause for concern. Also, any fixes for the front a/c coolness? When it got hot this summer, the front a/c just didn't seem to be cooling enough. I have the 2005 with the 3.5 engine. Many thanks.

#21 of 218 Re: Light Flickering and Front A/C problems [stobar] by kcorey

Sep 12, 2006 (4:04 pm)

Replying to: stobar (Sep 08, 2006 10:28 pm)
It was never a big problem with me, but I mentioned it to my dealer and he replaced the alternator at about 5,000 miles (I think). It's been fine since (I have about 21,000 miles on it now). The A/C works best in MAX for the front, but the rear can freeze over 1. Even in the really hot sun this summer (in NYC), I didn't find any problems. After driving a while (1/2 an hour, or so), I'd move it out of MAX. I did notice that when the sun was shining on the windshield the heat transfer through it was very hot...sometimes I'd just move it to DEFROST and it kept it very cool. No, I never mentioned it to my dealer...maybe I'll have him check it next time I'm there.
Overall, it's a great car. I'll probably buy a 2008!

#22 of 218 Re: Light Flickering and Front A/C problems [stobar] by genmtrfan

Sep 14, 2006 (6:46 pm)

Replying to: stobar (Sep 08, 2006 10:28 pm)
Here's the scoop on the lights. GM noted this as a problem on the 2005 vans and issued a TSB to "fix" the problem by replacing the alternator in February 2005. Unfortunately this did not typically solve the problem. In July 2006 GM issued a revised TSB which called for the replacement of the voltage regulator. I've had both done on my Uplander. What I've noticed since having the voltage regulator replaced is that the flicker is much more infrequent. I'd say that it occurs 80% less. The interior lights no longer flicker at idle. The exterior headlights don't flicker under light acceleration. However, when you punch it enough to make it upshift and the RPMs temporarily jump greater than 3,000 I still notice a slight flicker. Unless you're on a really hilly interstate (I was between Nashville and Knoxville on I-40) and need to upshift a lot, you'll rarely notice the flicker. I also noticed that the Voltage stayed at 14.4 for the entire 2.25 hours of the trip. I don't think it used to be that high before the regulator was changed. There will be some who aren't satisfied, but the frequency is low and the amount of flicker is slight. As far as I'm concerned it isn't an issue anymore.
 
A/C-GM issued a TSB sometime over the summer 2006. We too notice the rear a/c cooling much better. The TSB requires a software download which is supposed to correct any problems people are having with changing modes. As far as the coolness issue, it says that further instructions will be issued soon on how to re-calibrate the temperature control. We had the software update done, but I don't know if the air is any cooler. It hasn't been that hot lately.

#23 of 218 Re: Power Sliding Door Automatically Opening? [stobar] by tmcgee06

Oct 09, 2006 (6:39 am)

I am having problems with the flickering lights. I have posted before, and were still fighting with our dealer. There is a TSB out there to change the voltage regulator, we had this done. At first I thought this was fixed, but only to discover it flickers faster. I took this back to the dealer and they said they couldn't duplicate. I am attempting to contact there manager, and make someone take a ride with me. I have the daylight in my favor since it gets darker earlier. The last excuse was we couldn't get anyone to stay late. I also contacted the Lemon law reps to see if there was anything I could do about this problem. Since the dealer doesn't really seem to want to help me. I'M STILL WAITING TO SEE IF GM WILL EXCEPT AND BUY THIS LEMON BACK. I don't feel safe in something that flickers and pops while i'm driving.

#24 of 218 Re: Flickering Lights [tmcgee06] by stobar

Oct 09, 2006 (12:44 pm)

Replying to: tmcgee06 (Oct 09, 2006 6:39 am)
tmcgee06, if you haven't already seen it, check out genmtrfan post #2719. This covers the flicking light issue in greater detail. If the voltage regulator didn't fix it, may a new alternator will. A couple of people have had there alternators replaced and it seemed to fix the issue. This is one issue I have yet to have fixed, but will probably end up doing so in the next few months. The dealer has documented the problem. There was also some other recent posts on this within the last month, so I would check back through a few pages. Hope you are able to get your issue resolved!

#25 of 218 Re: Flickering Lights [stobar] by tmcgee06

Oct 17, 2006 (11:45 am)

Replying to: stobar (Oct 09, 2006 12:44 pm)
Hello Stobar,
 
I have read all of the posting regarding the flickering lights with my 06 uplander. My dealership refuses to help us any further regarding this matter. North Star Chevrolet in Pa said there was no other fix. The last time I had this van in their shop they said they drove it 300 miles and couldn't duplicate the lighting problem. I asked them to test drive with me in the van, and they refused. North Star will not replace the alternator because there is no TSB for that fix. Yes there was on in 05 but in most cases this did not take care of the flickering issue, and was replaced with the current TSB, which didn't not fix my problem. Anytime I drive up hill at almost any speed I get this flickering problem, I can see my headlights flickering on cars in front of me, so I can't imagine that they couldn't duplicate... As far as i'm concerned I will never buy another Chevy. And would not recomend NORTH STAR CHEVROLET IN CARNEIGIE PA TO ANYONE. Once you sign the deal the service department doesn't give a crap about the customer.
 
Joe PA

#26 of 218 Re: Flickering Lights [tmcgee06] by jerrywimer

Oct 18, 2006 (8:04 am)

Replying to: tmcgee06 (Oct 17, 2006 11:45 am)
At least they don't seem to care so long as it's not the customer's dollar at risk.
 
Gotta add my one real gripe here for our Terraza so far. That being the brake rotors that warp so easily. Out of all the disc brake equipped vehicles I've owned, several of which were GM products, the only other one that has shown the same issues was the 97 Malibu. In that car the brakes warped roughly every 6-8k miles. The van is now on the same road. It might not be so bad if GM would allow the dealerships to replace the rotors when this happens under warranty (which btw, only runs to 12k miles on the brakes). But they insist that they be turned if the minimum thickness is there, regardless of the fact that the rotors warping at under 7k miles can't be normal. The fact that the same dealership has seen four of my previous GM disc brake equipped vehicles for all of our service and has NEVER worked an issue like this should've been enough to tell them that we don't drive any of our vehicles, much less the minivan, in a way that will (should) cause this issue. More importantly, the fact that many people report the same issues with these vans (more than most other vehicles) shows that there IS a problem with the design or the parts.
 
Anyway, at 16k miles we've had them turned for the third time. The first not under warranty. I managed to get GM Customer Assistance to reimburse us for the cost of turning the rotors again (but not to simply replace them). But this time was a "One time goodwill" action. So the next time it's my dollar. And even if there is (unlikely) enough thickness left in the rotors at 22-23k miles (when I expect to feel the shuddering next), I'll be hunting aftermarket pads and rotors. And the dealership WON'T be getting to perform the work. They basically refused to stand by me when discussing the matter with the Customer Assistance folks- instead claiming this is a common issue in our area. Which may be true, but not a common issue for US in this area.
 
Other than the brakes, all of our other issues have been dealt with satisfactorily and hopefully permanently. But the ongoing need to get rotors turned or replaced is one thing that may make me totally regret this vehicle. I seriously hope new non-OEM rotors and pads cure it next time.

Messages Page 3 of 23

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