H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now

[cmeinck]

Thanks for the info on the BCM. I just spoke with them and the car started after 4 days. Apparently, their computer would show if it's a BCM? Who knows? I'm going to pick up the truck today and then drop it off at the Car Stereo guy tomorrow. He'll remove the iPod and we'll see from there. Either way, I'm not too happy because nothing has been resolved AND I've been without my truck for over a week. PLUS, to diagnose it correctly, they need the car DEAD. The last time I had it towed so it would be doa. Well, someone proceeded to jump it when it arrived at the dealer. So, I'm back to square one.

[sandy]

Thanks for writing me. The dealer says there are lots of BCM problems all over the US, but I have only seen 2 on this site. We are now getting the 3rd BCM for my H3 tomorrow and are considering using Ohio's lemmon law to get a new Hummer. My H3 has been at the dealer for over a week. I am not HAPPY.

[usetosellhummer]

SUBMIT THE RENTAL COST TO hUMMER DIRECT. Replacement vechilce is included when your vehicle is out of service for extended peroids through Hummer roadside service. BCM sounds right, sometimes you will see right away with delayed starting, lights or door unlock not working properly or slowly. Good luck

[First Hummer]

Originally posted by sandy:
Thanks for writing me. The dealer says there are lots of BCM problems all over the US, but I have only seen 2 on this site. We are now getting the 3rd BCM for my H3 tomorrow and are considering using Ohio's lemmon law to get a new Hummer. My H3 has been at the dealer for over a week. I am not HAPPY.

Sandy make sure they are using the same language when wtiting up each BCM problem.Some dealers get by the lemon law by changing some of the words around.Here in Massachusetts its 3 times for same problem.I had my similar problems good luck.

I had the same problem with the Xterra I got rid of for my H3.
Week after week when I would drive my car on the weekends, the Xterra was dead on Monday.

Believe it or not it turned out to be a RADAR DETECTOR I had plugged into an always on lighter socket.

Yeah, I know- no way would that kind of current draw come from a radar detector, but it was the real deal. I am a master electrician and was amazed when I got rid of the detector and the problem vanished.....

[NoMoGMPG]

Non-OEM alarm system installations are notorious for causing system draws because of tapping into active module circuits. Not saying the BCM issue isn't a possibility, just not as likely.

Dave

[cmeinck]

I picked up the truck on Tuesday and dropped it off Wednesday at the Car Stereo place. Rather than simply unplugging the iPod hookup, they pulled the whole installation out. When I picked up the truck, a small box filled with wires was greeting me on the front seat. That's $179 well spent.

Now, it's the waiting game. I guess I want the truck to continue starting and the problems to go away. If that happens, then I'm back to square one with the iPod. I guess a non-working iPod is better than a problematic H3. The thing is, if the iPod was generating a "draw", their computers should have picked it up.

I'm not sure what the lemon law is here in NY. If it goes dead again, I will be investigating the LL. Hopefully, you'll see me posting 1.5 months from now asking for good iPod solutions!

[evldave]

Hey, just as an fyi, rather than tear into the dash (and deal with crap like this) I just bought a Transpod (DLO) for my iPod. I plug it into the right cigarette adapter and use all the thingymaggers to get it to line up right with the stereo. Not problem for finding an available station, and it sounds ok - I have to crank the volume, but my H3 has started every day so far

Maybe go with that route until someone comes out with a foolproof iPod adapter. I just wish GM would come out with a monsoon stereo, with aux input, MP3 CD player, with display, navigation, satellite radio, garmin GPS input and Windows MCE 2005 built in. Until then, I'll just drag around my laptop.

[sandy]

I got my H3 back a few days ago, with it's 4th BCM installed and so far it's worked. I talked with the higher ups at GM and have gotten a good response. I continue to be hopeful that the computer problem is really fixed...because I really do LOVE my H3!

[sandy]

It's been a week since I got back my H3 with the new BCM and so far, so good!
I also really like the new mud flaps...it keeps the door handles and side panels a lot cleaner!

[MrsRobinsn2000]

Wow I wouldn't be very happy if that happened to me. Thank god I have had no problems with mine. Good luck to you I hope you find the problem and get if fixed so you can enjoy your new HUMMER.

[cmeinck]

It's been about a week or so since I removed the iPod adapter and no problems. Try going to a Ford Escape for a few days and you REALLY miss the H3.

[cmeinck]

I went to a hockey game tonight - got in my H3 and got the DOORS alert and the inside light was not going off. Checked all doors and it wouldn't go away. I drove it home with the light on which isn't the safest thing.

I left the car in the street and the light went off. The road I live on doesn't allow you to park in the street, so I figured I'd move the truck. Same thing happened. I'm receiving a message that the doors aren't shut and the interior light isn't going off.

I'm hoping that it eventually goes off tonight or I'll be waking up to another dead H3. This is getting old fast.

The dealer didn't give me the paperwork last time I took it in. I'm starting to wonder if their guarding themselves against the lemon law. So, now I've go no iPod and the same crap is happening.

[H CUBED]

You might want to have your dealer check each door pin switch. If the pin switch is loose or not grounding properly this could give the bcm a false door open message hence your dome light remaining on

[HummerJim]

http://www.magnumforceracing.com/fla...y_switches.asp
As a last resort you can always put in a battery cutoff. You can find cheaper units in Hemmings, but these are heavy duty and install in the cockpit instead of opening the hood every time to turn the battery on and off. I had an RV with the battery running down problem and the dealer never figured it out, but installed one of these. The only problem you have is the engine computer relearning every time you reconnect - this is a last resort only, but I've been there and know what you're going through.

[cmeinck]

You might want to have your dealer check each door pin switch. If the pin switch is loose or not grounding properly this could give the bcm a false door open message hence your dome light remaining on

This morning, the truck starts and the Door warning went away. However, the inside light now stays on while driving.

As a last resort you can always put in a battery cutoff. You can find cheaper units in Hemmings, but these are heavy duty and install in the cockpit instead of opening the hood every time to turn the battery on and off. I had an RV with the battery running down problem and the dealer never figured it out, but installed one of these. The only problem you have is the engine computer relearning every time you reconnect - this is a last resort only, but I've been there and know what you're going through.

I appreciate the suggestion, but I just don't think I should have to go to such limits for a new car with 1600 miles. I see this as the dealer's problem.

Tomorrow I give them yet another chance to fix this thing. (not to mention, I'm pissed off that I removed my iPod install and that wasn't it)

[HumbleAg]

If a door switch is bad, a tone sounds and the light goes off after you start driving (although the display still shows "DOOR"). When you stop, the light will come back on. The tone continues to sound each time you start driving. You can turn the light off with the switch next to the headlight switch.

If you drove home with the light on all the time, your problem is different, like the interior light switch (also dims the instrument lights) is on.

I've had the door switch problem twice, once after a vigorous power washing, the other after a very harsh rainstorm.

(as an aside, if there is a bad door switch, there is no way to change the display and view the trip odometer, what a design screw-up)

And I wouldn't rule out the Ipod install as a source of the problem, they could have done something that fried the BCM.

Good luck!

[cmeinck]

I'm picking the truck up today. They didn't find anything, but did fix the rear door latch that was part of new service bulletin. I also had them fix the rear wiper which I mentioned to them was also a service bulleting (thanks to this forum, I know).

[cmeinck]

Just an update for the group. It's been about 2 months and no issue with the truck. I contacted the car stereo store and they are considering other options. They used a Soundgate interface with a Blitz (charger of some sort). They are going to try a different brand than Soundgate and leave the charger off. I'll be glad to get my iPod up and running again - hoping my truck continues to start every morning!

[Chip]

For what it is worth. I put a dry cell battery in mine right after I got it. It was clear the battery that came with it struggled to get it started in morning. Never a problem since.