Cold Weather Issues
12-16-2009, 03:54 PM
#1
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 07-14-2008
Location: Detroit 'Burbs
Posts: 8
Cold Weather Issues
It's getting cold in Michigan, and I was wondering if my problems are normal for the SS or if I should have the dealer look at these before warrenty is up:
1. Rear liftgate doesn't lift. The gas shocks aren't powerful enough in cold temperature (40 degrees F and lower) to actually open the lift gate. The lift gate just stays in one place, doesn't go up, doesn't go down.
2. The suspension bushings squeek until the warm up. When the car is cold and I go over some swells/ dips in the road, the suspension bushings are squeeking. After 5 minutes, the squeeking goes away. Only happens on cold afternoons, and only when I am going over swells/ dips in the road.
Car was designed for perfromance, and I am sure cold weather perfomance is sacrificed for performance, but am I the only one?
3. There has been a 'twang' behind my instrument panel. Sounds like a small metal ruler hanging off the end of a desk that somebody flicked. Again, happens only when the car is cold.
Are these items normal for us?
Thanks!
1. Rear liftgate doesn't lift. The gas shocks aren't powerful enough in cold temperature (40 degrees F and lower) to actually open the lift gate. The lift gate just stays in one place, doesn't go up, doesn't go down.
2. The suspension bushings squeek until the warm up. When the car is cold and I go over some swells/ dips in the road, the suspension bushings are squeeking. After 5 minutes, the squeeking goes away. Only happens on cold afternoons, and only when I am going over swells/ dips in the road.
Car was designed for perfromance, and I am sure cold weather perfomance is sacrificed for performance, but am I the only one?
3. There has been a 'twang' behind my instrument panel. Sounds like a small metal ruler hanging off the end of a desk that somebody flicked. Again, happens only when the car is cold.
Are these items normal for us?
Thanks!
12-16-2009, 04:13 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: 11-20-2006
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 931
It's getting cold in Michigan, and I was wondering if my problems are normal for the SS or if I should have the dealer look at these before warrenty is up:
1. Rear liftgate doesn't lift. The gas shocks aren't powerful enough in cold temperature (40 degrees F and lower) to actually open the lift gate. The lift gate just stays in one place, doesn't go up, doesn't go down.
2. The suspension bushings squeek until the warm up. When the car is cold and I go over some swells/ dips in the road, the suspension bushings are squeeking. After 5 minutes, the squeeking goes away. Only happens on cold afternoons, and only when I am going over swells/ dips in the road.
Car was designed for perfromance, and I am sure cold weather perfomance is sacrificed for performance, but am I the only one?
3. There has been a 'twang' behind my instrument panel. Sounds like a small metal ruler hanging off the end of a desk that somebody flicked. Again, happens only when the car is cold.
Are these items normal for us?
Thanks!
1. Rear liftgate doesn't lift. The gas shocks aren't powerful enough in cold temperature (40 degrees F and lower) to actually open the lift gate. The lift gate just stays in one place, doesn't go up, doesn't go down.
2. The suspension bushings squeek until the warm up. When the car is cold and I go over some swells/ dips in the road, the suspension bushings are squeeking. After 5 minutes, the squeeking goes away. Only happens on cold afternoons, and only when I am going over swells/ dips in the road.
Car was designed for perfromance, and I am sure cold weather perfomance is sacrificed for performance, but am I the only one?
3. There has been a 'twang' behind my instrument panel. Sounds like a small metal ruler hanging off the end of a desk that somebody flicked. Again, happens only when the car is cold.
Are these items normal for us?
Thanks!
I had the #3 noise on my 06, and it had to do with something simple. one of the tabs for the dashboard right next to the steering wheel was bent if I remember right; It happened after they replaced the steering column. The dealership was able to repair that one.
12-16-2009, 04:49 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: 03-09-2008
Location: Elko Nevada
Posts: 725
my 08 does #2 as well been trying to get the dealer to fix it since around 20k im not at 39k and they are still trying. They will be replacing the strut assembly on the one side to see if that fixes it so we'll see on Thursday. I would suggest you go get ever thing inspected before warranty is up at least then you have an open case with the problem and they should work on it till its fixed.
12-16-2009, 05:08 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: 06-21-2006
Location: Calgary
Posts: 939
I've had #2 on my HHR for quite some time (like the others have posted). The dealership was never able to fix the problem.
For the liftgate, I've noticed that when it gets cold the liftgate actually opens much more rapidly and is not "cushioned" by the fluid in the strut as it goes up. I've never had it not open as a result of the struts being too cold. My HHR has seen temps as low as -40F and no liftgate problems.
For the liftgate, I've noticed that when it gets cold the liftgate actually opens much more rapidly and is not "cushioned" by the fluid in the strut as it goes up. I've never had it not open as a result of the struts being too cold. My HHR has seen temps as low as -40F and no liftgate problems.
12-16-2009, 05:23 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-03-2009
Location: D.C., Md., Va. area
Posts: 837
I'll add a #4 for the Panel SS owners out there
#4 the driver's side rear door takes 2 solenoid engagements to fully release it from the weather stripping seal
I suspect some silicone on the weatherstripping would solve it, but I'm going to be an ass and make the dealer take care of it when I get my next oil change.
#4 the driver's side rear door takes 2 solenoid engagements to fully release it from the weather stripping seal
I suspect some silicone on the weatherstripping would solve it, but I'm going to be an ass and make the dealer take care of it when I get my next oil change.
12-16-2009, 05:33 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-06-2008
Location: Grand Haven, MI
Posts: 1,761
Check out this video and see if it sounds like noise #3:
http://s735.photobucket.com/albums/w...t=MOV02237.flv
If so, it took several trips to the dealer to get it fixed. It only happened when it was cold and by the time I got it to the dealer the interior was warm and no noise... They even kept it overnight to see if they could hear it after it sat all night, but stored it indoors..... DUH! Again, no problem found. Finally I made the attached video and one of the techs dug around and found it.... If it is the same sound, I can pull out my old service records and see if they list the fix.
Let me know.
http://s735.photobucket.com/albums/w...t=MOV02237.flv
If so, it took several trips to the dealer to get it fixed. It only happened when it was cold and by the time I got it to the dealer the interior was warm and no noise... They even kept it overnight to see if they could hear it after it sat all night, but stored it indoors..... DUH! Again, no problem found. Finally I made the attached video and one of the techs dug around and found it.... If it is the same sound, I can pull out my old service records and see if they list the fix.
Let me know.
12-16-2009, 05:35 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: 06-26-2008
Location: N.W. Burbs Chicago
Posts: 4,152
35,000 miles and Mine is going in on jan. 4th,
# 1- for it's third set of tailgate struts.
for # 2 last winter it did the sound over a dip once, Now its every dip every day when it's cold , Unexceptable.
I have a list of 6 things to be taken care of, And i pretty much don't want the car back until there fixed.
Try this one, from the outside of the car compress your drivers door to the body back and forth while the door is shut , Mine clicks (Thumps) because theres play, both front doors do it and hitting a bump in the road does it, and makes the car sound like the doors are not shut all the way. Unexceptable. The rear doors don't click because they are never used.
Then theres that great headliner thats in the hhrs, 4th time it will be in for that.
Unfortunitly my first GM will most likley be my last
, Which suks cause i love my SS.
# 1- for it's third set of tailgate struts.
for # 2 last winter it did the sound over a dip once, Now its every dip every day when it's cold , Unexceptable.
I have a list of 6 things to be taken care of, And i pretty much don't want the car back until there fixed.
Try this one, from the outside of the car compress your drivers door to the body back and forth while the door is shut , Mine clicks (Thumps) because theres play, both front doors do it and hitting a bump in the road does it, and makes the car sound like the doors are not shut all the way. Unexceptable. The rear doors don't click because they are never used.
Then theres that great headliner thats in the hhrs, 4th time it will be in for that.
Unfortunitly my first GM will most likley be my last
, Which suks cause i love my SS.
