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Pontiac Montana versatrak system issues

21 messages,  Last post on May 02, 2011 at 1:02 PM

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What is this discussion about? Pontiac Montana

Messages Page 3 of 3

#12 of 21 Re: montana versatrak system issues [jramsey3] by snowdogkh

May 27, 2008 (9:25 am)

Replying to: jramsey3 (Apr 01, 2008 4:33 am)
I was hoping there would be better news than what I found in this thread. Like this moan is "normal"
I just bought a AWD used Montana yesterday and noticed the moan ONLY when it's warm and making a simi tight to tight turn in either direction. I know the dealer will do nothing because I got the thing for $3900 with a caravan with 141K on it that I traded in. It's immaculate and they put brand new tires and brakes on all 4 before they threw it on the lot. Even has DVD and VHS player in the roof. I love the van, but this moan concerns me. Anyone know if you remove the rear drive shaft and run it as a FWD vehicle it will have any effect? I assume it will make no difference since the clutch packs will still be working in a turn.
 
jramsey...I was curious if your moan is still not present since your fluid change 2 months ago. How many miles have you put on since then?
 
I have a really good trans/driveline friend I may swing it over too and see what he thinks.

#13 of 21 Re: montana versatrak system issues [snowdogkh] by jramsey3

May 28, 2008 (6:23 pm)

Replying to: snowdogkh (May 27, 2008 9:25 am)
Snowdogkh,
Since I have changed the fluid in my Pontiac Versatrak we have put about 3700 miles on it. My wife drives it during the week and I drive it on weekend family ventures. I has made no noises at all, and works smoothly enough you would never guess it was AWD, the system still works great, this past weekend (Memorial Day) we went to a graveyard that most fwd could not climb, the Pontiac went up without even the smallest wheel slippage. Although expensive I would try the fluid change, just as GM recommends it worked for me!

#14 of 21 Re: montana versatrak system issues [jramsey3] by snowdogkh

May 28, 2008 (9:53 pm)

Replying to: jramsey3 (May 28, 2008 6:23 pm)
jramsey3,
Thanks for the reply. After reading as much as I could find out on the versatrak online I went ahead and bought the 4 pints of fluid at my local dealer (talked the dealer down to $20.00 a bottle) and did the change. Pretty simple process. The fluid that came out looked brand spanking new. I figured this was not good since the dealer I bought it from (different dealer than where I bought the oil) must have tried the flush and it did not work. Well I had the fluid so I decided to give it a shot anyhow. The fluid that drained out stunk bad like most GL-5 rear end fluids and was gold in color. To my surprise as I opened the new versatrak fluid it was clear in color. So I thought maybe someone put the wrong fluid in it OR the veratrak fluid has been updated (I think I read that somewhere as well) So I refilled it...took it across the street to a parking lot and started to do the 5 minutes of circles to the right. The howl was still there and BAD since the rear end was still warm from the drive home last night. So I did a bit less than a FULL hard turns as I was worried I may make something worse. After about a minute the noise started to fade and as I turned even harder it was still fading. Big smile on my face at this point! So I finished the 5 minutes of doing a continuous right circle and getting dizzy as hell...then spun it around and did the hard lefts. Same thing...lots of grown off the bat..and after a minute it went away. I was happy as a pig in mud! Hopefully this will keep it quiet. I am shocked that a simple fluid change could quiet somethign so bad sounding. The TSB I got from the dealers service department said to flush it after doing the turns. (2 flushes) I plan on picking up 4 more bottles ad draining it again especially since I think the fluid that was in it was standard GL-5 80W90. So $200 in fluid (and I still think that is a ridiculous price for that stuff) is a lot cheaper than a new rear end!
 
Thanks for your input and hopefully this will help someone else. I think the key (according to a driveline guy I know that heard the noise before I flushed it) is weather the clutchpacks in the rear end have been glazed up or not. If you catch the howl and or don't do real hard tuns too much if it is growling, then you may be ok but get the flush done ASAP and DON'T make tight turns. If you glaze the clutchpacks it's all over!
I did notice that the fluid that was in it was mighty thin after it was warm so who knows what it was. The versatrak fluid was pretty thick at room temp. I'm curious if anyone knows if the original versatrak fluid that came in these was gold or clear??? Anyone know please post! I'm also curious how thin this oil will be after I warm it up and dump it on the second flush.
As it has been mentioned, if not here elsewhere on the net, It would be a good idea to make this an annual fluid change. Or at least no more than maybe 20-30K.
 
Love the van so far!

#15 of 21 Service Traction System by alphahammer

May 28, 2009 (10:05 am)

I have a 2002 Montana. I keep getting the SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM light which is followed by the ABS light and the TRAC OFF light. I have had it in for service and got told they could find nothing wrong.
 
Is there any way to turn the traction system off and/or the ABS system off?

#16 of 21 Re: Service Traction System [alphahammer] by ray80

Jun 03, 2009 (4:18 am)

Replying to: alphahammer (May 28, 2009 10:05 am)
Hhmm, If the warning lights are on there should be a code set (which may require a GM dealers scan) which usually should indicate problem with particular wheel. Many times the connection to the wheel speed sensor may be loose or corroded, or it may be the sensor itself.

#17 of 21 2002 Montana Missing by alphahammer

Jun 14, 2009 (12:30 pm)

My 2002 Montana has an issue with randomly jerking as I drive. It happens at varying speeds from 10 mph up to over 70 mph.
 
I will be driving and suddenly the car will give a little jerk or 2. The jerks are harder and more noticeable the faster that I am driving. I thought that somethimg is causing it to miss but the shop told me that they can find nothing with the scope and that it my be the 'throttle positionin sensor'.
 
Any thoughts

#18 of 21 Re: Service Traction System [ray80] by alphahammer

Jun 14, 2009 (12:31 pm)

Replying to: ray80 (Jun 03, 2009 4:18 am)
It was the sensor connection. It was not easy convincing them to check it out. They put in a new wheel bearing under warranty forlast one done first.

#19 of 21 what should i look at???? by cecilio154

Mar 01, 2010 (12:36 pm)

I just got a 2002 thunder edition a few months ago
car has just hit 70,000 miles
 
so far the ac system and tuneup ran me about $900
 
and i just got her back out of the shop again $1600
new radiator, rad by-pass pipe, oil pan gasket, rotor, and pads
 
took the car out for a drive the other day
and the batt light came on..................
we checked the batt and the alt and both are working fine!!!
next day the abs light and then the AWD disabled light came on.....
 
I went back to the shop and they lifted the car said they have no idea why the batt light is on and that the abs and awd lights are on b/c of the bad weather we had
 
I got this thing b/c of bad weather and that fact that it had AWD
so now i'm online b/c i do not trust the mechanic / shop and i need info and ideas
 
thanks
Chris

#20 of 21 Locking Up by anna24

Apr 30, 2011 (3:45 pm)

I have 2006 Montana van that will not start after being pushed manually without starting. Does this have anything to do with anti-theft system? When I use the key to start, nothing happens--no warning lights, no anything. What do I need to do to get it started again? Please, help! This is so frustrating.

#21 of 21 Re: Locking Up [anna24] by gmcustsvc

May 02, 2011 (1:02 pm)

Replying to: anna24 (Apr 30, 2011 3:45 pm)
anna24,
 
I would encourage you to have your vehicle diagnosed by a GM dealership. Please keep me posted when the issue has been taken care of.
 
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service

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