The Brake Fix Is In
04-01-2009 | 03:45 PM
#81
Senior Member
Joined: 04-26-2008
Posts: 472
From: Kensington, Md
Well this brake vacuum issue got to the point that we had a hard brake pedal and abs buzzing nearly every 6 hours of sitting. So from overnight to 1/2 day with an issue. Took the car in Monday and of course the dealer had NEVER heard of the issue. He looked up the TSB and took the car in. Parts are ordered and will be here next Tuesday. I was told to pick the car up and drive it until then...no loaners available. Interesting...just drive the car with a brake issue and hey no big deal. 
If you wait a couple of minutes running before you move it isn't a problem.....
04-01-2009 | 07:40 PM
#82
Member
Joined: 07-06-2008
Posts: 90
From: Mission Viejo, CA
We do. We are well educated with the issue. The dealers no big deal approach over a braking issue is what had me a little concerned.
04-01-2009 | 09:19 PM
#84
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
Well this brake vacuum issue got to the point that we had a hard brake pedal and abs buzzing nearly every 6 hours of sitting. So from overnight to 1/2 day with an issue. Took the car in Monday and of course the dealer had NEVER heard of the issue. He looked up the TSB and took the car in. Parts are ordered and will be here next Tuesday. I was told to pick the car up and drive it until then...no loaners available. Interesting...just drive the car with a brake issue and hey no big deal.
I am also going to have the Stage one kit installed if I can find one. I emailed the service writer all the info I could find. We will see what they estimate the costs to be.
They also replaced a key fob and fixed the rattle in the headliner. two issues down and one to go. They looked at the doors being slightly off in color and have seen that before. Only on the Victory Red. We agreed it's just not bad enough to repaint it.
We just rolled 9k in miles.
I am also going to have the Stage one kit installed if I can find one. I emailed the service writer all the info I could find. We will see what they estimate the costs to be.
They also replaced a key fob and fixed the rattle in the headliner. two issues down and one to go. They looked at the doors being slightly off in color and have seen that before. Only on the Victory Red. We agreed it's just not bad enough to repaint it.
We just rolled 9k in miles.
Just remote start it and by the time you get in and strap in your vacuum is fine.
If you think this is a bad brake problem many people driving all around you have bad or no brakes in some cases. I have worked on cars that had rotors broken off the hub or even claipers removed on one corner and only three or two of the 4 brakes functioning.
The scary part you show the guy the broken rotor and he said oh no wonder it does not want to stop.
04-01-2009 | 09:20 PM
#85
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
04-02-2009 | 04:22 AM
#87
Member
Joined: 04-28-2008
Posts: 53
From: Illinois
Low voltage alarms, check engine lights, new wiring harnesses and pin swaps?
All this to solve a condition that can be resolved by taking a few seconds to pause at start up. Or use the remote start like others have suggested.
I'm sure GM worked hard to resolve this and come up with some sort of fix, in today's law suit happy society it's in their best interest.
If it was a recall based on a safety issue, I'd be in there but it's a TSB based on complaints.
All this to solve a condition that can be resolved by taking a few seconds to pause at start up. Or use the remote start like others have suggested.
I'm sure GM worked hard to resolve this and come up with some sort of fix, in today's law suit happy society it's in their best interest.
If it was a recall based on a safety issue, I'd be in there but it's a TSB based on complaints.
04-02-2009 | 05:59 AM
#88
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
It ended up as just a connecter no new harness was needed.
Mine was one in a thousand problem and even it was painless. If anyonw should be worried it should be me as it was my HHR. At this point I would do it again as it ended up as not a big deal.
This web site amazes me when there was no fix we had people on the ledge ready to jump becuause they could not deal with this issue and now whe have a fix and some refuse to have it done?
I read the instruction on how to fix this before I took it in. This is a simple issue to repair and the mechanic I had did it right and was done in just a few hours. It was not his fault the connector was not making contact and that it took them a week to get it. Total work time was less than a day. It just took them a little longer to locate where the bad connection was.
I above anyone am more picky about my vehicles and did not have any worries it would be solved. I wrenched on cars for years and understand what it take to fix a car at times.
You can do what you like and if your happy with remote starting all the time that is fine.
I just hope you don't plan to change brake pads, change oil or or adding a stage kit or any other part on the vehicle. If adding this part is that risky using this thinking than any other work not performed by you also runs that risk or greater. What if the guy puts in too little oil or forgets. What if they leave the lugs loose?" At some point you need to realize this is just a car and it can and will be worked on and they will do it correctly.
But I would still recomend to others to take advantage to have your system updated as this fix works and generally most have no issues with the install and even in my case it was repair correctly and most here could not even identify the added parts blended into the factory installed parts.
To all other Just don't be affraid because of the connector issue mine had as it was a rare and even non serious issue. They got the new connector and had it fixed in min after it arrived. Crap happens and we all survive.
Mine was one in a thousand problem and even it was painless. If anyonw should be worried it should be me as it was my HHR. At this point I would do it again as it ended up as not a big deal.
This web site amazes me when there was no fix we had people on the ledge ready to jump becuause they could not deal with this issue and now whe have a fix and some refuse to have it done?
I read the instruction on how to fix this before I took it in. This is a simple issue to repair and the mechanic I had did it right and was done in just a few hours. It was not his fault the connector was not making contact and that it took them a week to get it. Total work time was less than a day. It just took them a little longer to locate where the bad connection was.
I above anyone am more picky about my vehicles and did not have any worries it would be solved. I wrenched on cars for years and understand what it take to fix a car at times.
You can do what you like and if your happy with remote starting all the time that is fine.
I just hope you don't plan to change brake pads, change oil or or adding a stage kit or any other part on the vehicle. If adding this part is that risky using this thinking than any other work not performed by you also runs that risk or greater. What if the guy puts in too little oil or forgets. What if they leave the lugs loose?" At some point you need to realize this is just a car and it can and will be worked on and they will do it correctly.
But I would still recomend to others to take advantage to have your system updated as this fix works and generally most have no issues with the install and even in my case it was repair correctly and most here could not even identify the added parts blended into the factory installed parts.
To all other Just don't be affraid because of the connector issue mine had as it was a rare and even non serious issue. They got the new connector and had it fixed in min after it arrived. Crap happens and we all survive.
04-02-2009 | 06:03 AM
#89
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
Not a healthy way to think?
Don't be affraid.
I am having the same dealer so my Stage kit as they were upfront with me and I understood what all was going on and it really was a non issue once the new connector arrived.
04-02-2009 | 09:56 AM
#90
Senior Member
Joined: 06-12-2008
Posts: 113
From: Lincoln, RI
The break fix was a good thing just had it done. My car had this problem bad but it wasn't a big deal. I just worried about the wife jumping in it and being unprepaired. But now all is OK and the brakes even feels alittle firmer at the pedal all the time. Don't know if this is possible as I was away from it for 3 days and driving a lummox.