TireSmoke.org

So I take my Avalanche to the dealer because it's acting up.
A. drivers door control center works intermittently, you have to close the door several times or knock the handle with your knee to get it to work.
B. It won't start on the first turn of the key (like the fuel pressure bleeds off and it has re-pressurize).

I come to find out neither is covered unless I have the extended warranty, the 100k miles only covers the rear axle, the drive shaft and the engine (I'm not sure about the transmission, the service tech didn't mention it). I guess I should have known that. I can understand the window controls but the fuel system? I'm gonna try to pull the door panel and check the control wiring connection myself but I don't think I want to tackle the fuel system. We'll see how much this is gonna cost me. I guess I expected a little bit more out of such an expensive vehicle with only 52k miles. I am debating putting a for sale sign in it soon. The Honda spoiled me with no issues until over 100k. I should have learned my lesson when the steering rack went out of my 2005 Impala at 50k miles.

: (

Thanks for listening to me rant.

I feel your pain.
I had some issues with my '04 Av. (BTW, mine had 53k when I sold her)
So far, the rack in my Imp is ok. Can't say that for the tranny though...

One of the reasons I didn't buy my company car (2005 Impala) was because the trans started to feel "funny" at 100k miles. I'm just kinda irritated that a $40k truck has issues and GM wants to charge me for them. I bet BMW or Mercedes would cover it. I'll end up with something totally different as my next vehicle. Probably a cheap car (or back to a company car) and a used truck.

I sure hope I don't have these kinds of issues down the road with my Cobalt.

-Dave

I was surfing the Avalanche sites and it's a $389 pump from GM, you have to drop the tank or cut a hole a in the floor. A dealership charged some dude $1200 for the fix. Guess I'm gonna look for an aftermarket one and have to do it myself. What a crock of $hit.

I did some more research and for 2010 they specifically exclude the fuel system. So I am gonna FIGHT it and call GM if I have too. I'll let you know what happens.

Mr.Smoker-
I believe the smaller care are getting more attention to detail. Whether it be styling, option packages, or operating systems. The 'no lift shift' speaks for itself. Your SS will be putting smiles on your face for a long time.

Mr. Ttamrettus-
Trucks on the other hand, have seen styling changes, but underneath all that plastic and chrome, is the same 5.3l and 4l65e. Internally, the 5.3 is solid foundation. It's the 'peripherals' that are failing.

The fact that GM is specifically excluding the fuel pump from the extended warranty, tells me they recognize this as a hi failure, hi expense item to repair.
...Like the owner has any input as to it's early demise.

My AV had the ring and pinion replaced at 20k or so. The G80 (1/2 ton axle designation) is anemic. Classic had my AV for 10 days.
The ignition switch fails to make a specific electrical contact, that effects the tranny. My 4l60e went into 'safe mode' (allowing 2nd and 3rd only) when my switch failed. Who woulda thought the ign switch would mess with the tranny. The replacement was a DOA, as within a week, I had the same symptoms again.

GM seems to be putting it's money where the sales are - smaller CARS.
Have you watched GMs stock prices? You wait, Ford, may very well become, #1.

Well. I think I'm pretty much screwed. Went to the dealer and he wouldn't do anything until I gave him a $100 for evaluation. I told him I researched it and it appeared to a common problem. He said he doesn't put much faith in internet rants. He said he's never seen one (failed 07 or newer) fuel pump in their dealership. He continued to say it wasn't covered. Sid he could check with his dealer rep but since I had only been to the dealer twice he probably wouldn't cover it either, " I wasn't loyal to the dealer". The pump is $400 and he estimated the total bill at $800 if I let them do it. So I'll try calling GM customer care but I'm not holding my breath. We'll see if they can restore my faith in GM.

This is not a ringing endorsement for GM.

Have you checked to see if there is a technical service bulletin on it? You can do that at the library or on alldata.com

If there is a TSB then you can reference it by number and tell that guy he is full of it.

My friend John has an 04 Cavalier with just 100k miles and the fuel pump went on it too. Fuel pump supplier is one place I do not want them to cut. That and head gasket supplier.

I think the tranny in my SS is generally weak too. Soon I'll be adding a cooler and possibly a deep pan to help it last. Maybe I should add an external filter also. I noticed the other day the rear trim on the trunklid is loose - it's not even two years old yet. Generally I like the car but maybe I can do better on the next one. Can't bring myself to get a Honda or Toyota, but I might consider a BMW.

Did I mention the service writer told me not to let the tank go below 1/4 tank because the fuel keeps the pump cool? If it's lower than that the pump heats up and causes it to wear faster?

Since it's just a check valve in the pump assembly a simple fix (I would think) would be a secondary check valve in the line. That that would eliminate all this BS.

I do have 1 ringing endorsement of Chevrolet. I sent Chevrolet Customer Care an email and I got a phone call like 15 minutes later with a service ticket (at like 10:30). I called her back but she was gone for the day. The down side is she only works 8am to 11am M-F.

I'd spend $25 at AllDataDIY.com for a subscription to the shop manual info and access to the Technical Service Bulletins for that vehicle. Or, maybe you already have access?

I used AllData when my wife's DeVille's crank sensor went bad. There was a TSB for it. Didn't help me with warrantee coverage but did learn some things about the problem.

Mav. Thanks.

People have posted all the TSB's at http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/index.html. Thanks. Matt

Well I had a starting issue with the Avalanche for about 2 months now. Here is the readers digest version of the story.
Bought new 2007 Avalanche Z71 at Bill Heard.
Had a few services at Bill Heard, Bill Heard went belly up.
Took it to Andean for a service (no issues).
Hendrick opened up at the old Bill Heard so I went there when the starting issue started.
They gave me grief for coming at lunchtime and told me to leave it for the day and they would look at it. I was kinda upset so I left. Did some research on Chevy Avalanche Fan Club website and turns out likely cause is fuel pump.
Went to Andean and explained it's probably the fuel pump, he tells me it's not covered. I say it's got a 100k warranty, he says only drive train, I say you're kidding right? I say the warranty manual doesn't exclude the fuel pump like other items. He looks in computer and says, "well you've only had it here once so your not a good customer and I couldn't convince my GM dealer rep to cover it if I wanted to". Well I was severely irritated by the not good customer comment and the thought that I had paid so much $ for this truck new and got bad service from 2 dealers. Is this how Saturn owners are going to feel when they take their cars to non-saturn dealers for service? So I went home and emailed GM. Got a phone call within the hour. So I went to 3rd dealer (farthest one away obviously, explained the story to the guy and he said they would cover it (he didn't even really bat an eye). So I finally drop it off (my original service writer was out and I got another. He says "oh, it's just a clogged filter", but I wait 30 minutes while they check it out. Low and behold, it's a FUEL PUMP. So I leave it and 1 day later I have a new pump in my truck for $0. I felt a little bad so I had them do the 60k major service on the truck. All in all I'm pretty proud of myself for pushing the issue and getting the $800 fuel pump covered under warranty.

I also got to say I am impressed with GM, first phone call within the hour and then several follow-ups via phone and email. They stayed on top of it.

Nice job.

I wonder if GM is planning to close any more dealerships? I know where I'd start if I was them.

I don't know about Andean but isn't Hendrick "TOO BIG TO FAIL"? Obama might bail them out.

OMFG, If someone ever pulled "you're not a good customer, cant help you with a *warranty* issue" I'd go ballistic.

Glad you got a resolution in the end. When you first made the post, it made me cross my fingers about my Cobalt purchase.

-Dave