Finally had my first prob - GM came through
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 11-15-2008
Posts: 1,599
From: Newburgh, NY
Finally had my first prob - GM came through
I took my '08 SS on a 400 mile business trip (5 speed, LSD, GM Turbo Upgrade). Without warning, the check engine light came on while I was at my destination city. No reduction in performance; no noticeable difference in operation. I hit the OnStar button for a diagnosis and was told that there was a minor turbocharger malfunction and that performance may be reduced. I was also told to bring the car to my dealer at my earliest convenience. The check engine light went off in a few miles.
Car ran perfect on the return trip, up until I was only about 5 miles from my home (and local dealer). The check engine light came on again, but this time I noticed that the boost pressure would not rise above 5PSI. I contacted OnStar again. This time they said the same line, that it was a "minor turbocharger malfunction and that performance may be reduced". The difference was that they said to bring the car to my local dealer within 24 hours. OnStar promptly tied me into my dealer and I dropped the car off right away.
Now some may remember that my dealer in Newburgh, NY was one of the early adopters of the stage kits for both Cobalt and HHR. They immediately and effectively diagnosed the problem as a lower TMAP sensor failure. This is the BOSCH unit that came with the turbo upgrade kit.
Unfortunately, my BTB warranty had expired 4 months earlier, but my mileage was 31,000. They apologetically said that they had to charge me for the repair, which was just over $200. The repair was quick and effective, because the car not only performed as well as before the problem, but even better. (more power in 1st gear than I've seen in 2 years since the upgrade was first done).
I called GM customer service to plead my case. Here is the car, just over the calendar warrantee, but well under the mileage warrantee and I had my first issue. GM said that they would have to analyze this case and may take time to resolve. It took about 2 weeks for GM to come to the conclusion to honor their product and provide me with a full refund for the repair, parts and labor.
Car ran perfect on the return trip, up until I was only about 5 miles from my home (and local dealer). The check engine light came on again, but this time I noticed that the boost pressure would not rise above 5PSI. I contacted OnStar again. This time they said the same line, that it was a "minor turbocharger malfunction and that performance may be reduced". The difference was that they said to bring the car to my local dealer within 24 hours. OnStar promptly tied me into my dealer and I dropped the car off right away.
Now some may remember that my dealer in Newburgh, NY was one of the early adopters of the stage kits for both Cobalt and HHR. They immediately and effectively diagnosed the problem as a lower TMAP sensor failure. This is the BOSCH unit that came with the turbo upgrade kit.
Unfortunately, my BTB warranty had expired 4 months earlier, but my mileage was 31,000. They apologetically said that they had to charge me for the repair, which was just over $200. The repair was quick and effective, because the car not only performed as well as before the problem, but even better. (more power in 1st gear than I've seen in 2 years since the upgrade was first done).
I called GM customer service to plead my case. Here is the car, just over the calendar warrantee, but well under the mileage warrantee and I had my first issue. GM said that they would have to analyze this case and may take time to resolve. It took about 2 weeks for GM to come to the conclusion to honor their product and provide me with a full refund for the repair, parts and labor.
Its nice to hear good news for a change, too often the good news goes unreported while the problems take center stage.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-14-2010
Posts: 147
From: Central Florida
Mine had the exact same problem and responded in the same manner. I used On-Star to locate the nearest dealer because I was 120 miles from home. That dealer told me it would be at least 1-1/2hrs to get my car in to check it BUT asked me for the symptoms and told me it would be OK to drive the way it was. Skeptical, I called my own dealer who told me the same thing and to just take it easy and drive it into them. When I got there they had already obtained a rental car for me so we left the car there and had the rental for 3 days while they obtained a replacement lower TMAP sensor for the upgrade. I was extremely pleased by the quick response that the folks at Cecil Clark Chevrolet in Leesburg, FL provided. Like yours, the car runs great again. The dealerships did right by me and I'm glad to pass the praise along that they deserve.
Senior Member
Joined: 11-05-2010
Posts: 1,492
From: Detroit, Michigan USA
@87silver, thank you so much for sharing your situation. It is great to read that you are happy with us and the dealership.
Please, contact me at any time with comments, questions and/or concerns.
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service
Please, contact me at any time with comments, questions and/or concerns.
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service
Member
Joined: 08-03-2007
Posts: 32
From: Central Indiana
I have to keep this going, first off thanks to the op for starting a positive GM/Dealer thread.
Second, my daughter has a 2009 LT that in the space of 8 days had the camshaft actuator problem (fixed, no charge, under powertrain warranty) then the lock cylinder broke (>36k miles), the dealer fixed it on a SATURDAY morning. I was impressed!
2 thumbs up!
Kevin
Second, my daughter has a 2009 LT that in the space of 8 days had the camshaft actuator problem (fixed, no charge, under powertrain warranty) then the lock cylinder broke (>36k miles), the dealer fixed it on a SATURDAY morning. I was impressed!
2 thumbs up!
Kevin