1994 GMC Suburban Problems

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE OWNS A 1994 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. THEY ARE PERFORMING POORLY. THERE ARE ABS BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE, AND THIS VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS EVER SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. HE HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT IT WOULDN'T LAST VERY LONG. THE PROBLEM WOULD CONTINUE TO COME BACK. ALSO, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

DIESEL K2500 SUBURBAN. INJECTION PUMP SUFFERED A PROBLEM WITH INTERMITTENT FUEL CUTOUT. SOLUTION WAS REPLACEMENT OF INJECTION PUMP. REPEATED DEALER ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE EXACT PROBLEM WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. SEAT MOUNT FAILED. THIS CAUSED SEAT TO TILT ON BASE & TORQUE REMAINING MOUNTS. THE WIPER MOTOR CUT OUT AT RANDOM. GM ACKNOWLEDGES THIS PROBLEM FOR OTHER MODELS, BUT NOT FOR MINE. THIS WOULD CAUSE FAILURE OF MOTOR FUNCTIONS (IN MY CASE, THE WIPER WOULD NOT START IF PARKED, BUT WOULD START IF PULLED OUT OF PARK POSITION). BRAKES ARE THE MOST INTERESTING PROBLEM. WHILE THERE MAY INDEED BE A PROBLEM WITH PEDAL SUDDENLY GOING TO THE FLOOR I THINK THE ACTUAL SITUATION IN MOST OF THOSE CASES MAY ACTUALLY BE AS FOLLOWS. I HAD TO BRAKE FAIRLY HARD IN UNEXPECTED TRAFFIC, AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FIRED. I WAS MOVING NOT FASTER THAN ABOUT 50 MPH AT THE TIME, BUT IT TOOK (MEASURED) 642 FEET TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AT NO TIME DID I RELEASE THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. DURING THIS TIME, I WAS ABLE TO STEER QUITE SUCCESSFULLY AROUND TWO STOPPED VEHICLES, AND TO RUN UP ON A GRASSY SHOULDER AND BACK ONTO THE PAVEMENT. I HAD THE FRONT BRAKES RELINED AND TRUED, AND THE FLUID FLUSHED AND REPLACED, AT A LOCAL SHOP SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED (WITH ABOUT 56,000 MILES). APPARENTLY, GM KNOWS THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO CYCLE THE ANTILOCK MOTOR SO THAT ALL THE PISTONS ARE AT THE RIGHT POSITION BEFORE BLEEDING THE BRAKES. IF THE BRAKES ARE BLED WITH THE MOTOR NOT CENTERED, THE EFFECT IS THAT FULL MODULATION OF THE BRAKES DOES NOT OCCUR, FOR SOME OR ALL WHEELS, WHEN THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM FIRES. HOWEVER, THE DUMP-VALVE FUNCTION RELIEVES ALL BRAKE PRESSURE WHILE THE MOTOR IS RUNNING. THE RESULT IS THAT ONLY PARTIAL BRAKE APPLICATION IS EFFECTIVELY BEING MADE -- THIS MIGHT BE ALMOST ANY ARBITRARY PERCENTAGE OF A 'NORMAL' FULL BRAKE APPLICATION -- AND THIS MAY GREATLY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF DECELERATION SEEN IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS.

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED AFTER BEING MANUALLY "HELPED" SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE, BUT NO LONGER. WHEN I CONTACTED GMC, THEY TOLD ME THE CURRENT RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I HAVE PURCHASED THE CIRCUIT BOARD MYSELF AND WILL NOW NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE INSTALL IT. RECALL NEEDS TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL VIN #'S. I WAS TOLD BY THE GMC TOLL FREE NUMBER THAT IT WAS NOT A "SAFETY" ISSUE, SORRY. *NM

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. GM REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V150001 STATING RECALL VOIDED AFTER 70,000 MILES. I GUESS THE BARD TURNS "GOOD" AFTER REACHING THE MILEAGE? *JB

TIRE WOBBLE/ NO SEPARATION YET CAN FEEL IT PULLING / DID WAIT FOR THIS ONE TO BUBBLE UP AND SEPARATE WASN'T GOING TO WAIT ANOTHER 3 WEEKS FOR AN ACCIDENT POSSIBLY FATAL TO HAPPEN HAD THIS LAST REMAINING ONE REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE. *TR

TREAD / TIRE SEPARATION BIG BUBBLE IN TIRE SEVERE SHAKING / SEVERE PULLING THOUGHT MY TRUCK NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT VERY VERY VERY BAD. *TR

1994 GMC SUBURBAN. WHEN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILS, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT BE SHUTOFF BY HITTING BRAKES. IF SWITCH FAILS, HITTING BRAKES WILL SLOW VECHILE, BUT CRUISE CONTROL WILL GIVE IT MORE GAS. DATE OF INITIAL ACCIDENT IS APPROXIMATE SINCE I DO NOT HAVE PAPERS WITH ME. SWITCH HAS FAILED TWICE SINCE THAT AND WAS FAILED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.*AK

TWO DRIVER'S SEATS SEPARATED FROM FRAME. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT, LEAVING OCCUPANT UNPROTECTED WITH LOOSE SHOULDER RESTRAINT. OCCUPANT WOULD HAVE TO TAKE SEAT BELT OFF, PULL BELT ALL THE WAY OUT UNTIL MECHANISM DECIDES TO ADJUST. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT CINCH OCCUPANTS. BELTS ARE CURRENTLY FULLY EXTENDED AND LAY LIMP OVER OCCUPANT SHOULDER. SYMPTOMS MIMIC SEATBELT PROBLEM EXPERIENCED WITH MY 1984 CAMARO PREVIOUSLY OWNED WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THAT CONDITION. DEALER CONTACTED FOR REPLACEMENT STATES GM'S POSITION ON THIS IS THAT VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND MY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. UNKNOWN AT WHAT MILEAGE FAILURE OCCURED; VEHICLE PURCHASED USED FROM GMC DEALERSHIP, QUESTIONED LOOSENESS & TOLD AT TIME OF PURCHASE CONDITION NORMAL, THAT BELTS SOMETIMES DO NOT CINCH UNTIL JIGGLED, DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPLACE. I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THIS WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLE.

APRIL 26, 1996 ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BATTERY FAILED, WAS REPLACED AT SUPERIOR PONTIAC, SAN ANTONIO TEXAS WITH A AC DELCO PART 1981590. ON JULY 30,1997 THE ABS LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON. RESULT OF "ACID FROM BATTERY LEAKED ONTO SPEED SENSOR, SHORTING IT OUT." HAD TO HAVE WIRING AND CONNECTORS, REPAIRS TO ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM, CABLES AND PAINT REPLACED. I HAVE ALL DEALER PAPERWORK THAT SAYS ALL THIS IN PRINT. WAS WITTNESS TO PHONE CALL AT DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS SAME THING AHPPENING ON MINI VAN. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT AC DELCO HAS A BIG PROBLEM WITH LEAKING BATTERIES AND THEY REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT.

THE BATTERY IS LEAKING ONTO THE BRAKE LINES WHICH COULD CAUSE TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 55MPH ON AND VEHICLE STARTED OVERHEATING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS STILL IN NORMAL STAGE, AND VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF. A TOW DRIVER WAS CALLED OUT TO JUMP START VEHICLE, AND FOR FIRST THIRTY MINUTES IT WAS OKAY. THEN, TEMPERATURE GAUGES WENT UP, AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT CRANKSHAFT BROKE. *AK

THE ENGINE SEEMS TO RUN TOO HOT LATELY. I'VE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT & FLUSHED SYS. W/ NO IMPROVEMENT. WIPERS STOPPED WORKING W/O REASON AND WASHER MOTOR DOESN'T DISPENSE WATER PROPERLY. ONLY 1 REAR DOOR WINDOW DEFROSTS AND ONLY PARTIALLY. I'VE CLEANED CONTACTS W/ NO RESULTS. REAR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW POWER DOESN'T WORK. USED TO WORK OFF AND ON, BECAUSE OF IRREGULARITY WINDOW IT'S LEFT UP AT ALL TIMES. *AK

DIESEL K2500 SUBURBAN. INJECTION PUMP SUFFERED A PROBLEM WITH INTERMITTENT FUEL CUTOUT. SOLUTION WAS REPLACEMENT OF INJECTION PUMP. REPEATED DEALER ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE EXACT PROBLEM WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. SEAT MOUNT FAILED. THIS CAUSED SEAT TO TILT ON BASE & TORQUE REMAINING MOUNTS. THE WIPER MOTOR CUT OUT AT RANDOM. GM ACKNOWLEDGES THIS PROBLEM FOR OTHER MODELS, BUT NOT FOR MINE. THIS WOULD CAUSE FAILURE OF MOTOR FUNCTIONS (IN MY CASE, THE WIPER WOULD NOT START IF PARKED, BUT WOULD START IF PULLED OUT OF PARK POSITION). BRAKES ARE THE MOST INTERESTING PROBLEM. WHILE THERE MAY INDEED BE A PROBLEM WITH PEDAL SUDDENLY GOING TO THE FLOOR I THINK THE ACTUAL SITUATION IN MOST OF THOSE CASES MAY ACTUALLY BE AS FOLLOWS. I HAD TO BRAKE FAIRLY HARD IN UNEXPECTED TRAFFIC, AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FIRED. I WAS MOVING NOT FASTER THAN ABOUT 50 MPH AT THE TIME, BUT IT TOOK (MEASURED) 642 FEET TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AT NO TIME DID I RELEASE THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. DURING THIS TIME, I WAS ABLE TO STEER QUITE SUCCESSFULLY AROUND TWO STOPPED VEHICLES, AND TO RUN UP ON A GRASSY SHOULDER AND BACK ONTO THE PAVEMENT. I HAD THE FRONT BRAKES RELINED AND TRUED, AND THE FLUID FLUSHED AND REPLACED, AT A LOCAL SHOP SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE USED (WITH ABOUT 56,000 MILES). APPARENTLY, GM KNOWS THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO CYCLE THE ANTILOCK MOTOR SO THAT ALL THE PISTONS ARE AT THE RIGHT POSITION BEFORE BLEEDING THE BRAKES. IF THE BRAKES ARE BLED WITH THE MOTOR NOT CENTERED, THE EFFECT IS THAT FULL MODULATION OF THE BRAKES DOES NOT OCCUR, FOR SOME OR ALL WHEELS, WHEN THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM FIRES. HOWEVER, THE DUMP-VALVE FUNCTION RELIEVES ALL BRAKE PRESSURE WHILE THE MOTOR IS RUNNING. THE RESULT IS THAT ONLY PARTIAL BRAKE APPLICATION IS EFFECTIVELY BEING MADE -- THIS MIGHT BE ALMOST ANY ARBITRARY PERCENTAGE OF A 'NORMAL' FULL BRAKE APPLICATION -- AND THIS MAY GREATLY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF DECELERATION SEEN IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS.

HAD FAILURE OF BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES AND FUEL DELIVERY LINES/SENDING UNIT DUE TO HEAVILY RUSTED/RUPTURED METAL LINES. FORTUNATELY, THE FAILURES WERE OBSERVED IN MY DRIVEWAY, LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED TOWING TO THE LOCAL MECHANICS GARAGE.TOTAL COST OF REPAIR (ALL RUSTED LINES AND FUEL SENDING UNIT) AT LOCAL GARAGE WAS $875.00.*AK

DT A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT AND LINES, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. CONTACTED GM, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING IN PARK. FOUR YEAR OLD SON WAS CLIMBING OVER THE DRIVER TO GET IN, AND ACCIDENTALLY KNOCKED THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER INTO REVERSE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURE. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. *AK

WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON I ENCOUNTERED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON TWO OCCASIONS ONCE WHILE THE UNIT WAS ACTIVATED AND ONCE WHILE IT WAS NOT. *NM

VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS DRASTICALLY, LOCKS IN A LOW GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT, ABS COMES ON PREMATURELY, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK.

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING LEFT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF DUE TO BOLTS BREAKING OFF THE WHEEL.*AK

ORIGINAL PROBLEM BRAKING CAUSED ME TO GO INTO A CEMETERY (LUCKILY TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE ONLY THING THAT I HIT WAS A CURB WHICH I WENT OVER ON A DIAGONAL) THRU ONGOING TRAFFIC LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED THE 2 WHEELS BY CENTERLINE TO FRACTURE WHICH LATER BECAME APPARENT AT DIFFERENT TIMES. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THE 2 WHEELS WERE SIMPLY DEFECTIVE TO START AND DECIDED TO LET GO AT DIFFERENT TIMES. I SURLEY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE WHEELS WERE DEFECTIVE FROM THE GET GO.*AK

RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED CAUSING FRONT WHEEL TO COLLAPSE CAR WAS IN PARKING LOT AND MOVING SLOWLY BALL JOINTS REPLACED BY GARAGE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURES AFTER REPAIRS, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ONE ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *SKD

PROBLEMS WITH SUNVISOR. *AW

DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT HAVE BEEN REPLACED (4) TIMES WITH LESS THAN 39,000 MILES; ON (11/26/96-22,472 MILES, 6/16/97- 27,825 MILES, 6/19/97- 28,475 MILES AND 7/8/97-31,593 MILES). NOISES ARE COMING FROM THE UNIT, AND NEEDS REPLACING AGAIN. *AK

WHEN PUTTING ON BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND HEARS A GRINDING NOISE, AND THE THE TRUCK WILL EVENTUALLY STOP.*AK REAR AIR CONDITIONER CONTROL KNOBS WILL NOT STAY ATTACHED TO THE CONTROL, DEALER REPLACED THE KNOB AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT BLOW COLD AT AN IDLE. BOTH FRONT AXLE SEALS WERE LEAKING OUT FLUID FROM THE LEFT FRONT AXLE, DEALER REPLACED BOTH SEALS AND RIGHT AXLE. OIL PRESSURE GAUGE DIPS DOWN INTO THE RED AT AN IDLE. TEMPERATURE GAUGES READS HOT. *SLC

WHEN PUTTING ON BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND HEARS A GRINDING NOISE, AND THE THE TRUCK WILL EVENTUALLY STOP.*AK REAR AIR CONDITIONER CONTROL KNOBS WILL NOT STAY ATTACHED TO THE CONTROL, DEALER REPLACED THE KNOB AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT BLOW COLD AT AN IDLE. BOTH FRONT AXLE SEALS WERE LEAKING OUT FLUID FROM THE LEFT FRONT AXLE, DEALER REPLACED BOTH SEALS AND RIGHT AXLE. OIL PRESSURE GAUGE DIPS DOWN INTO THE RED AT AN IDLE. TEMPERATURE GAUGES READS HOT. *SLC

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS NO BRAKE ACTION, HAVE HYDRAULIC BRAKES . *AK THE ONLY ACTION THAT THE DEALER TAKES IS BLEEDING BRAKES AND MASTER CYLINDER TO REMOVE AIR FROM THE BRAKE LIINES, HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM, CONSUMER HAS TO PUMP BRAKES TO GET THEM TO WORK. TRANSMSSION SLOW TO ENGAGE, DEALER FOUND ACTUATOR FEED LIMIT VALVE STICKING. REAR BLOWER ON AC GAVE NOTHING, DEALER REPAIRED WIRE TO BLOWER MOTOR. REPAIRED WIRING TO FAULTY TAILLAMP ASSEMBLY. *SLC

CONSUMER LOST CONTROL WHILE DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY, STEERING BECAME VERY LOOSE. *AK

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS NO BRAKE ACTION, HAVE HYDRAULIC BRAKES . *AK THE ONLY ACTION THAT THE DEALER TAKES IS BLEEDING BRAKES AND MASTER CYLINDER TO REMOVE AIR FROM THE BRAKE LIINES, HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM, CONSUMER HAS TO PUMP BRAKES TO GET THEM TO WORK. TRANSMSSION SLOW TO ENGAGE, DEALER FOUND ACTUATOR FEED LIMIT VALVE STICKING. REAR BLOWER ON AC GAVE NOTHING, DEALER REPAIRED WIRE TO BLOWER MOTOR. REPAIRED WIRING TO FAULTY TAILLAMP ASSEMBLY. *SLC