GM's faulty electrical system

[dwcars]

AFTER buying my Cadillac XT5 (shame on me) and experiencing an annoying intermittent shutting down of the A?\/C and engine temp gauge ceases to work, I learned that Chevrolet has the same problem. Then I found out that the problem has been going on for several years and the "fix" at the Cadillac dealer is going to cost $1700. The fix is replacing the thermostat which requires a whole lot of engine disassembly. When I looked up the problem on the internet I found an incredible number of complaints.
How can GM let this apparently common problem continue~? It's disgusting negligence~! What are they trying to achieve by allowing the problem to continue year after year~? Is this their way of providing the dealers with extra revenue~? The dealer turned me off the very first time I went to their service department by prescribing a $198 alignment. I stormed out and went to a highly respected shop which as been in business since before 1972 and had the alignment done for $78. A note to GM says "I think I made a big mistake buying your XT5. I got better gas mileage driving my 2006 Lincoln Town Car LTD which got 23.5 mpg driving like an old guy mostly around town~!"

 

[Kira]

And Ford keeps making the wet belt driven oil pump.

 

[KGMtech]

I think the old days of customers having brand loyalty might have encouraged OEM's to correct problems for future years of same platform, but unless it's a huge warranty cost, they now say 'caveat emptor' because everyone tries another brand next time.

 

[Dave Sherman]

My 2010 Traverse had so many electrical gremlins between failing window switches, failing radio speakers, intermittent CAN communications between modules, and a failing odometer display that could only be read at night or if you covered the daylight sensor. It actually made the Lucas electrical system on the MG seem very reliable! Apparently I wasn't alone on the failing odometer display, but the only fix was to replace the whole instrument cluster for $$$$.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I think the old days of customers having brand loyalty might have encouraged OEM's to correct problems for future years of same platform, but unless it's a huge warranty cost, they now say 'caveat emptor' because everyone tries another brand next time.

That still exists for GM.

I know a few guys who are chevy by blood. Doesn't matter how many times they get bit by a 3.6 needing timing chains every 60K miles, or a 5.3 eating a cam lobe .. silverado frame snapping. They'll keep blindly buying GM products.

Any other brand loyalist would have given up and gone to something else.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

And Ford keeps making the wet belt driven oil pump.

But where are the failures at? Haven’t seen (m)any “snapped my oil pump’s wet belt!!!!” threads anywhere. Wondering why you group a proven, acknowledged issue with a perceived and yet to materialize one?

 

[50yr Street Mech]

I was a GM loyalist for decades, until 1989. My Buick was constantly having electrical problems, sold it and moved on to Honda and Nissan. Best move I made. No more " Big Three" for me. I did love my 70's and early 80's Buicks, Pontiac's, and Oldsmobiles though. They served me well.

 

[Kira]

Wondering why you group a proven, acknowledged issue with a perceived and yet to materialize one?

I based my comparison on believable (on me, I know) videos showing crumbled rubber in oil pick-ups. I've also seen commentary stating the belt manufacturer claiming their belt was never intended for the purpose.
So, while I don't think my conclusion is entirely unreasonable, I do thank you for keeping me sharp.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

I based my comparison on believable (on me, I know) videos showing crumbled rubber in oil pick-ups. I've also seen commentary stating the belt manufacturer claiming their belt was never intended for the purpose.
So, while I don't think my conclusion is entirely unreasonable, I do thank you for keeping me sharp.

Weird... literally minutes after we had this chat here, I got my periodic email from Engine Builder Magazine, and guess what was featured prominently in it?

Dayco TBIO

 

[Rand]

At one time I wanted a focus hatchback with the 1.0 EB and a 6speed MT.
(belt in oil)

 

[dogememe]

$200 is the going rate for an alignment here.

 

[97prizm]

AFTER buying my Cadillac XT5 (shame on me) and experiencing an annoying intermittent shutting down of the A?\/C and engine temp gauge ceases to work, I learned that Chevrolet has the same problem. Then I found out that the problem has been going on for several years and the "fix" at the Cadillac dealer is going to cost $1700. The fix is replacing the thermostat which requires a whole lot of engine disassembly. When I looked up the problem on the internet I found an incredible number of complaints.
How can GM let this apparently common problem continue~? It's disgusting negligence~! What are they trying to achieve by allowing the problem to continue year after year~? Is this their way of providing the dealers with extra revenue~? The dealer turned me off the very first time I went to their service department by prescribing a $198 alignment. I stormed out and went to a highly respected shop which as been in business since before 1972 and had the alignment done for $78. A note to GM says "I think I made a big mistake buying your XT5. I got better gas mileage driving my 2006 Lincoln Town Car LTD which got 23.5 mpg driving like an old guy mostly around town~!"

Part of this is the ever tightening cafe regulations to eek out as low emissions as possible and package the engine in a tight space to keep aerodynamics and front area to a minimum. I always thought engineers should have to wrench on some vehicles to understand packaging.

 

[Kira]

guess what

"Perfect" an approach if it gets you something. I'm not anti-development.
However, we the consumer pay for their T & E. ..just watchin' my money.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

"Perfect" an approach if it gets you something. I'm not anti-development.
However, we the consumer pay for their T & E. ..just watchin' my money.

I was only musing on the fact that we had discussed it and Engine Builder sent me an email about it… it was a “guess what, just like Alexa I said it and now I got ads for it!” lol…

 

[clinebarger]

How is a faulty thermostat a electrical problem?

I'm guessing you're speaking of the failsafe's that go along with DTC P0128 (Coolant temp below threshold).....For all the ECM knows the engine could be low on coolant.

 

[4wd]

I think the old days of customers having brand loyalty might have encouraged OEM's to correct problems for future years of same platform, but unless it's a huge warranty cost, they now say 'caveat emptor' because everyone tries another brand next time.

I see this on more than vehicles …
Maytag lasted 15 years - but that LG is candy apple red …

 

[4wd]

Part of this is the ever tightening cafe regulations to eek out as low emissions as possible and package the engine in a tight space to keep aerodynamics and front area to a minimum. I always thought engineers should have to wrench on some vehicles to understand packaging.

My “not hated here” brand - Lexus - covered the transmission fill port with a hot exhaust system - and the other side (no port) is wide open spaces …