H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now

[HummerJim]

I put a red top optima in during the summer. I've got a long history with those batteries and they are rugged, take a pounding, and hold a charge a long time when not in use (used them in my old RV with three parallel).

[DRTYFN]

Should have used a yellow top. They're much more rugged.

[azsidewinder]

OPTIMA RedTop Benefits

* Last's up to 2 times longer than other batteries.
* More power in the initial 1, 2, 5, and 10 seconds of the starting process than comparably rated conventional lead acid batteries.
* Constant performance quality keeping your battery running at the same level even as it's being discharged.
* Ideal for seasonal use, fully charged, it can remain unused for up to 12 months at room temperature (or below) and still start a vehicle.
* 15 times more resistant to vibration than other batteries.
* Nonspillable with complete fitment flexibility; can mount in almost any position

Best battery made in my opinion! Have had one in every vehicle Ive owned the last 10-15 yrs and one problem Ive never had is a dead battery, even if Ive forgotten to close the glove box or left an interior light on over night!

I noticed when buying my H3 that all the Hummers they were wanting me to test drive all seemed to have dead batteries. So even though the H3 had a brand new AC Delco, I removed it the next day to be sure a battery wouldnt be an issue!

[Big Z]

Check dimmer switch, And UNPLUG The RADAR DETECTOR!

[cmeinck]

Just got back last night from a long trip upstate. I got in the truck today to move it and the lights were dim. Figured if I could start it, I'd be able to recharge the battery (no idea why it drained). No iPod, no TV's on. Key is stuck. Truck is dead. I'm getting tired of this crap. Calling for a tow tomorrow and will ask them not to jump it so maybe the dealer can figure out what's happening. BTW, this is the 2nd battery.

[deserth3]

ASk them to make sure the connectors inside the fuse and relay box are connected properly. When I installed my offroad lights I found the top was put on without the connector latches engaged. When I went to start the only thing that would work was locks, lights and the key wouldn't come out of the ignition.
Without the latches engaged the connectors were right on the edge of making a good connection.

[cmeinck]

What a morning. The towing service didn't want to tow it, saying the street was too tight and they would need 3 people to get it on the flatbed. I told him to leave it, let them come and fix it. The last thing I wanted was a jump, so we couldn't figure out what's actually causing the problem. A few minutes later, my bell rings and he said "you steer, I push". We blocked traffic on the block, but we got it on the flatbed. Just a bit embarassing. According to their service dept, it's way beyond dead. They normally get an odometer reading and that's not even coming up. They plan on hooking it up to the various machines and seeing if they can find the issue. I'm seriously losing faith in this truck. 6400 miles and it's been towed 4 times.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Originally Posted by cmeinck

What a morning. The towing service didn't want to tow it, saying the street was too tight and they would need 3 people to get it on the flatbed. I told him to leave it, let them come and fix it. The last thing I wanted was a jump, so we couldn't figure out what's actually causing the problem. A few minutes later, my bell rings and he said "you steer, I push". We blocked traffic on the block, but we got it on the flatbed. Just a bit embarassing. According to their service dept, it's way beyond dead. They normally get an odometer reading and that's not even coming up. They plan on hooking it up to the various machines and seeing if they can find the issue. I'm seriously losing faith in this truck. 6400 miles and it's been towed 4 times.

Sounds to me it was built on a thursday of a 4 day week...

RYD

[deserth3]

Any news?

[Crash ?]

Ya haven't hit Lemon Law status yet.. Or is that just one of those urban legend deals..??

[H3.007]

Correct me if I am wrong but three times on the same vehicle with the same problem qualifies as a Lemon Law vehicle, does it not?

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Originally Posted by H3.007

Correct me if I am wrong but three times on the same vehicle with the same problem qualifies as a Lemon Law vehicle, does it not?

Check your state laws. Easy enought to do on line

OR

call your local Legal Aid society...

RYD

[cmeinck]

Any news?

The called later on Tuesday, said they found a loose battery cable. Odd, since I've never done anything under the hood outside of removing a few leaves. They charged the battery and said everything was cool. Here's the interesting part, they said GM wants them to keep the truck overnight, drive it home and see if it occurs again. They ended up calling on Friday to say it was ready to be picked up. The problem is that it doesn't occur daily, so for them to keep it doesn't really serve a purpose. I don't think it's fixed, because it's happened 4 times and they haven't found anything. Charging the battery is not a fix, but just a means to get the truck running again. I definitely think it will happen again. I'm going to write a letter to GM, so they are on notice about the situation.

Here's what I found online regarding the lemon law for NY:
If your car does not conform to the terms of the written warranty and the manufacturer or its authorized dealer is unable to repair the car after a reasonable number of attempts during the first 18,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first, you may be entitled to a full refund or a comparable replacement car.

It is presumed that there has been a reasonable number of attempts to repair a problem if, during the first 18,000 miles of operation or two years from the original delivery date, whichever comes first, either (a) the manufacturer (or its authorized dealer) has had an opportunity to repair the same problem four or more times and the problem continued to exist at the end of the fourth repair attempt; or (b) the car was out of service by reason of repair for a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days for one or more problems.

Should it come to this, I'm guessing it's a good idea to retain an attorney. I'm guessing GM/Dealer will be reluctant to give me a refund or replacement.

[cmeinck]

After reading that lemon law, it's clear why GM requested they keep the car for a few days. Sounds like 4th time, it becomes a lemon. I've been really flexible with the dealer and hope it doesn't come to this. Next time, it's getting towed to HUMMER and I'll call an attorney. I think I've been more than flexible. Not only has this been 4 times, but a few times it's been for a few days. We're a multi-car family, so didn't need a rental. Just the same, I didn't buy a new truck so it could sit in the shop for days at a time.

FWIW, the dealer service has been very nice. I know they are trying. Also, my truck was washed before I picked it up.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Originally Posted by cmeinck

The called later on Tuesday, said they found a loose battery cable. Odd, since I've never done anything under the hood outside of removing a few leaves. They charged the battery and said everything was cool. Here's the interesting part, they said GM wants them to keep the truck overnight, drive it home and see if it occurs again. They ended up calling on Friday to say it was ready to be picked up. The problem is that it doesn't occur daily, so for them to keep it doesn't really serve a purpose. I don't think it's fixed, because it's happened 4 times and they haven't found anything. Charging the battery is not a fix, but just a means to get the truck running again. I definitely think it will happen again. I'm going to write a letter to GM, so they are on notice about the situation.

Here's what I found online regarding the lemon law for NY:
If your car does not conform to the terms of the written warranty and the manufacturer or its authorized dealer is unable to repair the car after a reasonable number of attempts during the first 18,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first, you may be entitled to a full refund or a comparable replacement car.

It is presumed that there has been a reasonable number of attempts to repair a problem if, during the first 18,000 miles of operation or two years from the original delivery date, whichever comes first, either (a) the manufacturer (or its authorized dealer) has had an opportunity to repair the same problem four or more times and the problem continued to exist at the end of the fourth repair attempt; or (b) the car was out of service by reason of repair for a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days for one or more problems.

Should it come to this, I'm guessing it's a good idea to retain an attorney. I'm guessing GM/Dealer will be reluctant to give me a refund or replacement.

YES !

Thats a VERY GOOD GUESS...



RYD

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by RubHer Yellow Ducky

YES !

Thats a VERY GOOD GUESS...



RYD

Not really! Force an issue in front of an arbitrator first. Their ruling must be complied with by GM, but not by you. So, go that route first, and if you lose in arbitration, go for the attorney.

However, you say you take the ipod in every night, is there a power hookup for the ipod that is still connected? I'm sure you checked that installation. (I'm not familiar with an ipod so not sure if there are any power wires or not.)


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[usetosellhummer]

I swear it's the I pod, or the tv, whoever installed them did something wrong!

[usetosellhummer]

Sorry, that leads me to a story about how your trusted aftermarket guy and f up at any time. i sold a truck to a Doctor in town and she loved her H2. Well after the tv's were installed they had a dead battery and then could not restart after a jump. Her husband brought it in and we found nothing wrong but charged the battery and did a load test on the system. Next day the truck stalls and tey lose power stearing. he is pissed and it's towed in. My best tech cannot find anything wrong. We send it to the aftermarket people we have used for years and have sent hundreds of thousands of dollars in work to. After several promises all is well they go to AZ for a week. on the way home they lose power at 80mph and almost get killed. They come bakc demanding out of the truck. The GM put them in a new Denali and cleaned it up. tow days later a tech from the aftermarket shope comes in and we finally find out what it was. one lkittle wire under the seat too close to the seat frame rail was shorting. the first time they taped into a wire that was for the ignition system.

[NEOCON1]

Originally Posted by usetosellhummer

I swear it's the I pod, or the tv, whoever installed them did something wrong!

X2 seems like it always is

[Crash ?]

This is one of those Ipod interfaces that does an FM broadcast right..?? Does it stop broadcasting and shut off when you remove the Ipod from it's cradle..?

With the truck running tune a portable radio into the ipod broadcast and the shut the truck down.. Is it still broadcasting the Ipod..??

I'm betting these guys wired into the first 12vdc they could find and that woulda been the cig lighter plugs and they are always on in the H3..

--
Rob