Car won't start - windshield wipers going crazy

[kilo3031]

I started having trouble with my H3 about 5 days after purchasing the vehicle. Up to the point, I was completely satisfied with the vehicle.

The problem started when I switched my lights from auto to parking lights. This caused the engine to turn off. When I tried to turn the vehicle on, the windshield wipers starting going crazy and the engine would not turn. A light appeared on my dash (the light with a vehicle symbol with a lock in front of it).

The problem happened at a camp location 270 miles away from my home at midnight. I called onstar and they did not see any problems. I had to have my vehicle pulled to the campsite.

I tried turning on the vehicle an hour later and it turned on fine, no problem. I was able to ride the vehicle all day the next day, but the problem returned in the late afternoon. I left the car parked there and again was able to turn on the vehicle the next day.

When the problem happened again, I found that I was able to turn on the vehicle by turning off the exterior lights. As soon as I operated the windshield wipers or headlights, the vehicle would shut off (even during motion).

The next day I had the problem all day but was able to get home before it got dark (had to hurry because lights no longer come on without causing engine to shut off)

My vehicle has been sitting at the dealer going on its fourth day and they are baffled. No fix seems near.

What should I do? Can I make the dealer give me a new vehicle? Vehicle has been non-functional longer than I had it running normally.

[HUMTECH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hummertech:
There have been several issues with the BCM connectors not toatlly latched causing similar problems to yours. I bet that's the problem. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I have to agree with Hummertech just had one in and found 9 stretched pin grips in BCM connector, replaced grips and all is fine.

[First Hummer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by kilo3031:
I started having trouble with my H3 about 5 days after purchasing the vehicle. Up to the point, I was completely satisfied with the vehicle.

The problem started when I switched my lights from auto to parking lights. This caused the engine to turn off. When I tried to turn the vehicle on, the windshield wipers starting going crazy and the engine would not turn. A light appeared on my dash (the light with a vehicle symbol with a lock in front of it).

The problem happened at a camp location 270 miles away from my home at midnight. I called onstar and they did not see any problems. I had to have my vehicle pulled to the campsite.

I tried turning on the vehicle an hour later and it turned on fine, no problem. I was able to ride the vehicle all day the next day, but the problem returned in the late afternoon. I left the car parked there and again was able to turn on the vehicle the next day.

When the problem happened again, I found that I was able to turn on the vehicle by turning off the exterior lights. As soon as I operated the windshield wipers or headlights, the vehicle would shut off (even during motion).

The next day I had the problem all day but was able to get home before it got dark (had to hurry because lights no longer come on without causing engine to shut off)

My vehicle has been sitting at the dealer going on its fourth day and they are baffled. No fix seems near.

What should I do? Can I make the dealer give me a new vehicle? Vehicle has been non-functional longer than I had it running normally. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


My guess would be the BCM module is cooked.My wipers and blinkers where screwed up one day and the dealer found the BCM module got wet.

[4churchill]

if you need anything further I can get you in at Parkway HUMMER, they are our sister store!!!

[fourfourto]

That sucks I hope they gave you a loaner.

[H2Finally]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by kilo3031:
Well, I live in Riverside, Ca and purchased the vehicle in Pasadena. They gave me a great price I couldn't refuse, although it was pretty far. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I bought mine there too. But never been back since. Cerritos Hummer was recommended by some here, and most at the socal forum. Been happy with em so far. Not the cheapest, but competent. Good luck on your repairs. If further problem, look for John in Cerritos (service writer), and Mike Sabarese (service manager, Hummer tech wizard).

[partsguy]

The BCM #15802495 not being built untill the end of this week and will not be shipped untill the week of Dec 5th.Make sure they have it on a SPAC case and get them to get their APM involved.
Not sure how WPC may help but,I would try everyone at the dealership who will listen.
Only chance before that date would be to steal one from a stock unit.

[kilo3031]

My Vehicle didn't quite make it to the fourth complete day at the other dealer. All that really doesn't matter much now.

If anybody cares to give any other comments on the original subject. I would appreciate any other advice on what I can do next.

It's hard to determine what the lemon law can do for me without getting legal advice.

At the very end of this, all I really want is a safe functional vehicle.

[Hummertech]

There have been several issues with the BCM connectors not toatlly latched causing similar problems to yours. I bet that's the problem.

[kilo3031]

The BCM has arrived and the problem continues. They have replaced the PCM, BCM, and ignition switch.

I asked them to check the connectors to the UBEC and BCM and to replace the grips. I am told that this has been done.

At this point I don't want the vehicle anymore. There is no way I can trust GM's troubleshooting and their ability to fix this vehicle. This is a huge safety issue.

I am going to demand a new car. I've been waiting for 5 weeks now and this cannot continue like this.

I know I have much more frustrations ahead of me.

[kilo3031]

Well, I live in Riverside, Ca and purchased the vehicle in Pasadena. They gave me a great price I couldn't refuse, although it was pretty far.

There is a GM dealer in Riverside that is equipped to support hummers, but don't sell hummers . They have worked on my brothers H2 a few times before and did a great job.

Cerritos is almost just as far and there is crazy traffic to get there and back.

[partsguy]

14 at W/house 622 Burton,MI.f5fstop..Is there major problems
with this solenoid? I do not stock them but,I will If there is.
There is very little out of the box warranty issues unlike anything I've seen from GM.I only stock 4X4 modules and sway bar
links.
It a good vehicle from a warranty stand point."bad for service"

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by kilo3031:
I do not have any marker lights on the vehicle.

They made it seem that it was located somewhere near the back of the engine and that it wasn't the BCM.

Pismo is pretty sandy and the dealer also mentioned there was sand around it. It is not possible that pismo caused my problem, since the problem happened as I was getting to the beach. It did slightly rain on my way out there and I did go over a puddle.

I'll get all the details of the part and post what it is and where it is at. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Back of engine sounds like the PCM; however, the PCM is a water tight component, with water tight connectors. You can pour water on the PCM all day long and it won't affect it, and if the connectors are attached correctly, water will not get in. (We have had flood cars returned where the PCM was not affected. And I mean some cars where the PCM sat underwater in slime for a week.)
Besides, the PCM controls the engine outputs and receives information from sensors. I guess in the big scheme of things, if it went totally berserk, it could cause the BCM to go berserk too. Not sure, never seen this type of symptoms with a failed PCM.
I will say it is possible, but not probable, and I can say it is possible you have a PCM that, for some reason, was not water tight. As they say, if man-made it, it can mess up.

Important thing is hopefully it is fixed.

[stevomc]

hi,

i will go to the dealer this afternoon.

this morning i tried 2 different things:

1. i started the engine and drove to my office. then i stoped the engine. within 15 seconds i tried tzo start the engine again. but it didnt start. when i pushed the acceleartion pedal it came up and the engine was running with abou 1500 rpm.

2. i stoped the engine again after about 2 minutes running. then i let it cool down for about 5 minutes. i tried to start the engine and it started purfect.

what is that ?

but i will go to the dealer later...

thanks and bye

stevo

[f5fstop]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by kilo3031:
PCM was originally replaced - obviously didn't resolve the problem

BCM has now been replaced.

Waiting for Ignition switch, which according to the dealer caused my problem in the first place. I had been told that the ignition switch was going to be replaced last week. It wasn't

They have a SPAC on the part like they did for the BCM. They are currently trying to get a part off the assembly line, since they don't have spares on stock.

I am considering calling GM and making a complaint to see if they can help speed up the part delivery and also let them know of my overall disatisfaction. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ignition switches are on backorder too? That I didn't know.
Just a note on the WPC. It is actually a UPS (or maybe a FedEx) site, filled with their employees and about a half-dozen GM people overssing the operation. Depending on the part, and the bulletins issued, they might ship out as many parts in one day as they receive.
From my understanding, they are to ship parts for certain bulletins and parts that are impossible to obtain. They also are the major point of warranty return parts, returned for inspection so that enginnering can see exactly why they are failing.
I will try and get a better explanation of this, when my friend returns from Vacation in TN. With the snow arriving, we "rednecks" need a night in the bar.

[kilo3031]

Supposedly they replaced the BCM (I highly doubt it). They had been looking for an ignition switch before the BCM, which still hasn't arrived.

I was told by GM today that the part could not be pulled off the assembly line or off another vechicle because it was a VIN specific part (whatever that means).

As a customer, I don't really care where they get the part. I am tired of being told its not in stock. I'm sure thousands of the part I need have been made since my problem started.

[partsguy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by f5fstop:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by partsguy:
14 at W/house 622 Burton,MI.f5fstop..Is there major problems
with this solenoid? I do not stock them but,I will If there is.
There is very little out of the box warranty issues unlike anything I've seen from GM.I only stock 4X4 modules and sway bar
links.
It a good vehicle from a warranty stand point."bad for service" </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, nothing on the warranty horizon in regard to the solenoid. Just guessing that the dealer ordered one, but said it was a switch.
Yes, so far this vehicle is good on warranty costs, but from what I have seen, it will be a bugger to work on some of the engine components.
Interior components are fairly easy; not like the SSR where it can take up to three hours to R&R a radio.

What are you guys doing about wiper blades and arms? I want to put a set of winter blades on mine, and when checking the specs I almost laughed for an hour. 16.7 driver's side, 15.7 passenger side. I have no problem with different sizes, I just laughed with the odd measurements; which I comfirmed. I do believe a 17 and 16 will fit, or at least by my crude measurements outside in the freezing weather shows they will. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Well in the past(my Chevy days I would ramp up on A parts(wipers, sheet metal,filters etc)but have not even thought of things with the H3.exc filters of course.I have see only quality in this model and it's killing me
I"ll look into it and get you a brand name and number.
Oh you should move outta that state and come south to sunny Pa!

[f5fstop]

From a distance I would have to agree with First Hummer. The BCM controls all those functions. I would have thought the dealer would have replaced the BCM right away. They like to blame everything on the BCM and in this case it sure sounds like it has gone wacko (engineering term for malfunctioning).
Call Hummer assistance at the 800 number in your owner's manual.

[First Hummer]

you might want to find what the Lemon Law is in Cal.

[First Hummer]

you are still waiting on BCM module?