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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 2 of 23

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

Aug 05, 2006 (9:15 am)

Replying to: genmtrfan (Aug 01, 2006 4:42 pm)
I will let you know if the light flickering problem is gone or not, I have a feeling that I will have that problem for ever!!!!! The funny thing is I still don't have my van back from the shop (July 24th).. When I went to pick up my van someone from the shop hit the front driver side. Mind you a brand new Van that I haven't had the chance to put a nick on yet!!!! They repainted the bumper, but I refused it because the color didn't match. I insisted on them finding me a new bumper, since the van didn't come into the shop with a scratch on it!!!! I also called Detroit because I feel that this wouldn't have happened if the parts were available to the service depts. There has to be an issue with the electrical systems in lots of GM's products don't ya thing!!!!!!
 
Fustrated.

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

Aug 05, 2006 (7:20 pm)

Replying to: tmcgee06 (Aug 05, 2006 9:15 am)
Actually, it's just these vans with the 3.5 liter. GM used a new charging system that was supposed to reduce the amount of the time that the alternator charged the battery. A good concept, but it wasn't quite perfected. I'm thinking of calling my dealer and requesting that they put in a heavy duty alternator (the one that comes with the towing pacakge). Someone on this site said it fixed their problem.
 
While the problems have been annoying, they've all been fixed under warranty, except for the light flicker. I think the van drives and rides exceptionally and I expect long term reliabiliy to be very good. It's just a shame that GM introduced these vans with so many issues that have taken up the consumer's time by requiring warranty work. Here they are: light flicker, air bag rattle, side moldings coming unglued, rear allignment problem, front a/c not cold enough unless on max (they just issued a TSB on this-software problem), horn springs too stiff-TSB issued. Cheap brake rotors. Again, the dealer has been able to repair everything except the light flicker which is minimal.
The good news is that I haven't heard of any powertrain problems.

#9 of 218 Re: 2006 Chevy Uplander Electrical Problems [genmtrfan] by stobar

Aug 07, 2006 (7:59 pm)

Replying to: genmtrfan (Aug 05, 2006 7:20 pm)
genmtrfan - can you give me some more info or the website where I can read the TSB on the "a/c not cold enough unless on max (they just issued a TSB on this-software problem)". I had noticed this in my van a few weeks ago and was not aware of this TSB. Thanks.

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

Aug 08, 2006 (1:29 pm)

Replying to: genmtrfan (Aug 05, 2006 7:20 pm)
Update to my Van.
 
Well here it is, I got my van back yesterday. (was tired of waiting for them to find me a new bumper since they dinged the first one) Took the van out on the high way and guess what, the lights are still flickering. I have contacted my dealer, and they are going to order a new alternator. I don't know how GM can't say this isn't a major issue because I had someone cut me off while driving; because my lights were acting up. This really has to be addressed, or someone is going to get hurt.
 
 

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

Aug 08, 2006 (5:07 pm)

Replying to: tmcgee06 (Aug 08, 2006 1:29 pm)
I feel your pain, remember to keep us updated. I'd love to find just one case of a successful repair. I'm thinking of asking for the 125 amp alternator to see if it helps. someone on this site said that their van had the bigger alternator and had no problems. The funny thing is that the TSB on this said to replace both of the alternators, depending on which size came with the van.

#12 of 218 Re: 2006 Chevy Uplander Electrical Problems [stobar] by genmtrfan

Aug 08, 2006 (5:19 pm)

Replying to: stobar (Aug 07, 2006 7:59 pm)
Here's a website address to recent GM TSB's. The one you're asking about is 06-01-39-004C. It's a the end of the list. Print it off and take it to your dealer. It's good ammunition.
 
http://www.alldata.com/tsb/General-Motors/index-post.html

#13 of 218 Re: 2006 Chevy Uplander Electrical Problems [genmtrfan] by dtownfb

Aug 09, 2006 (1:08 pm)

Replying to: genmtrfan (Aug 05, 2006 7:20 pm)
<<Actually, it's just these vans with the 3.5 liter. GM used a new charging system that was supposed to reduce the amount of the time that the alternator charged the battery. A good concept, but it wasn't quite perfected. I'm thinking of calling my dealer and requesting that they put in a heavy duty alternator (the one that comes with the towing pacakge). Someone on this site said it fixed their problem.>>
 
Tmcgee06 is correct. This has been a problem for a number GM vehicles since 1999. Take a look on the Intrigue forum and the Saturn L forum. A number of people (including myself)have complained about this issue.

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

Aug 10, 2006 (4:19 pm)

Replying to: genmtrfan (Aug 08, 2006 5:07 pm)
I was told by my dealer that they are not going to replace the alternator, GM is working on some software update. So in the mean time I have to deal with lights flickering in the night. Hope I don't get into any accidents in the mean time. Do lots of highway driving.....
 
NOT HAPPY.

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

Aug 10, 2006 (10:56 pm)

Replying to: tmcgee06 (Aug 10, 2006 4:19 pm)
Thanks for the reply. That is really good information. The replacement of the alternator doesn't seem to help according to most of the posts here. Our light flicker isn't bad enough to be too concerned. In fact, I asked my wife, who's the primary driver, if she'd noticed it. She had not. I'll be looking for the software update, but won't be getting my hopes up.

#16 of 218 Re: 2006 Chevy Uplander Electrical Problems [genmtrfan] by jerrywimer

Aug 11, 2006 (4:46 am)

Replying to: genmtrfan (Aug 10, 2006 10:56 pm)
Exact same situation here (had our alternator replaced, no real effect).
 
But I can honestly say that my flickering lights hasn't caused anyone to cut me off or been a danger in any way. It's not as if it looks like I had high beams on to blind anyone or anything, and they don't flicker enough to cause me to miss something I would see otherwise and cause an accident. Mainly just an annoyance..

Messages Page 2 of 23

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