My key is stuck in the ignition switch

[mountainbiker]

Today was not fun I have to admit defeat. My battery was dead once again. My key remains stuck in the ignition switch. I do have a dealer service appointment tomorrow (Thu). I cannot say I am looking forward to the 3-hour drive (unless they fix it all within the day). The work--even if warranty related--will not automatically be submitted to HUMMER. I must take the invoice and submit it myself for possible reimbursement. It has me very nervous. Have any of you submitted a warranty claim personally?

[Hmmm2]

Keeping positive thoughts that your 3 hour drive in each direction was not in vain. Let us know what the verdict was on your stuck key when you have a chance.

[BlueHUMMERH2]

Nope, never had to personally submit a warranty claim. Good luck though. I imagine the miles are worse than the time when its comes to buying litres of fuel in Europe.

[mountainbiker]

Well everyone--the short answer--everything is fixed.

I left yesterday at 0130 and returned home at 2130. The drive was approximately 4 hours each way, and about an hour break each way. The rest was them working on the car. In the late afternoon they put 3 people on it, so I would not have to get a hotel for the evening.

It was a botched electrical job by the guy who did the work for the European light conversion. The cause of the problems were rooted with cutting connections going to the BCM, wire taps, and blown fuses.

Final bill (out of my pocket): $1700 + $300 (for the first botched job) + $200 (for the battery which it did need)

[Hmmm2]

Wow ... no one even thought of the European light conversions!!! He must have really done some job to cause your problems!! Is that guy in Germany? Can you locate him and present him with the repair bill? So sorry to hear all you had to go through, mountainclimber. What a tough initiation. I hope you have nothing but enjoyment now out of your new H3!

[mountainbiker]

Yeah he is a local national that works on the base. He does about 2-4 of these conversion or un-conversions a week as a side business. In most case, especially the older cars (without the things like a BCM) it works fine for a persons tour of duty here (2-3 years). His work is still probably not the safest as the connections are exposed to the elements, etc. Also, he charges normally less than $300 per car, so comparted to the dealership quote (had I went there in the beginning) of $1200--you can see why a poor E-1 or E-3 might go with the cheaper route. I will use this now as a "data point" and info my fellow soldiers about getting what you pay for.

I want to thank Hmmm3 and all the rest of you for your support of the troops and, of course, my new baby H3. Yesterday evening during my 4+ hour drive home, it was the first time I really got to enjoy the vehicle. LOL- but I did notice my leg getting tired without the presence of cruise control. (Now, I need to post "Is cruise control an option that I forgot to request?")

[Hmmm2]

Guess your experience is going to be chalked up to a "Live and learn" life experience. That was a tough one. Now just enjoy your H3!

I thought all of the H3's came with cruise control?!?! Or, maybe just the luxury model, as opposed to the base or Adventure models? I have it in mine. The H3 is not really comfortable for the right leg ...lol.. when driving distances. I find I have to keep hard pressure on the gas pedal to keep it going. Locally is fine .. but distances, uh-uh. I still love it, though.

Regarding supporting the troops .. I always have and always will. Thanks for your kind words.

Thanks for the update! By the way, f5fstop still hasn't come back online. He must be on vacation. He'll be sorry he missed all of this.