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Well the GXP (or JunkXP as my son calls it), was back at the dealer because
the volt gauge was pegged at 18 volts. At first they wanted to put in a new
alternator ($1600.00) because it was charging at 15 volts. I told them it
is much more likely that the gauge is at fault. They said they could only determine
that by putting a whole new cluster in the car, which I replied, "well, see if the warranty company
will pay for it".

Long story short, I am getting a new cluster.
I know all these GM gauges are gonna fail sooner or later.
My extended warranty expires on Friday.
I don't know how I will be able to afford the future repairs on this thing.

My current totals you ask???

under extended warranty:
instrument cluster
oil pan gasket
valve cover gaskets (twice)
front crank seal
oil pressure switch
transmission axle seal and clutch housing
coolant crossover gaskets
transmission cooler lines
oil cooler lines
both front wheel hubs
A/C pressure line

under factory warranty:
driver information center (DIC)
homelink door opener module
cylinder 5 coil pack
front engine mount
rear shock and shock mount
fog light harness

The cost of the extend warranty was $2300 and the repairs over $13,000.
I must give kudos to the warranty company CNA. They really came through
and never argued any repair.
The vehicle has 95K miles on it, and now has no warranty..... Yikes.
I can't afford a new car either.

$1,600 seems ridiculous for an alternator, but with the location of it I can see why.... basically have to tear the front of the car apart to even have any access to it.

Dealer wants to put in new alternator because its charging at 15 volts. What in the world kind of training is GM providing them with?!?

harofreak00 wrote:Dealer wants to put in new alternator because its charging at 15 volts. What in the world kind of training is GM providing them with?!?

Even worse is that it is charging at 15 volts, but the gauge shows 18, and they come to the conclusion that replacing the alternator is going to fix a gauge that is obviously not working correctly.

I would love to know how much they are gonna charge for a cluster replacement.... You can replace the stepper motors and bulbs for probably $30 or less yourself.

I have replaced the steppers in my Tahoe cluster. I could do the gxp but I'm too lazy.
The Tahoe cluster removes in 2 minutes with 4 screws.

The dealer didn't want to do the cluster until I mentioned the warranty.
I guess they thought I would freak at the cost, which I would have.

He said there were only 2 clusters left available for that car.
I wonder if that is everywhere or just the regional GM warehouse.

GXP cluster removal doesn't even require tools to get it out of the car, lol.

00Beast wrote:GXP cluster removal doesn't even require tools to get it out of the car, lol.

Really? Oh well. I tried to get the dealer to give me the old cluster,.... no way.
I would have fixed it and flipped it.

And people in this section wonder why I have such strong feelings against 100k mile GXP's, or really any GXP out of warranty, if you don't want to do the work yourself...

I won't touch the brain dead dipdongs that are hired by the dealership. You have to remember, many, well most, are not car enthusiasts! I know that is a shocker to many of us. But that is reality! The guy in question probably worked at a ford dealer last month. To them it's just a paycheck and overall cars suck. The reason they suck is why they have a paycheck. As such, they don't put much time into learning anything other than what is absolutely necessary. Trust me, I battled with them daily too.

skregal wrote: My current totals you ask???

under extended warranty:
instrument cluster
oil pan gasket
valve cover gaskets (twice)
front crank seal
oil pressure switch
transmission axle seal and clutch housing
coolant crossover gaskets
transmission cooler lines
oil cooler lines
both front wheel hubs
A/C pressure line

under factory warranty:
driver information center (DIC)
homelink door opener module
cylinder 5 coil pack
front engine mount
rear shock and shock mount
fog light harness

Thanks for the information, I love the GXP, but do have my concerns, I it came with the S/C 3800 with all the GXP exterior and interior trim, I've have one by now. Oh and I do understand that most of those don't relate to the Northstar, but that's my biggest worry, is the size 10 in a size 5 compartment along with the other Northstar issues.

Glad your warranty company played ball.

But if these are the kind of problems a GXP is likely to have I'm glad I don't own one.

Roger.

Maymybonneliveforevr wrote:Thanks for the information, I love the GXP, but do have my concerns, I it came with the S/C 3800 with all the GXP exterior and interior trim, I've have one by now. Oh and I do understand that most of those don't relate to the Northstar, but that's my biggest worry, is the size 10 in a size 5 compartment along with the other Northstar issues.

The 2005 SLE came with the GXP duds (just not S/C'd). Otherwise, you're left to conversion.

CMNTMXR57 wrote:

Maymybonneliveforevr wrote:Thanks for the information, I love the GXP, but do have my concerns, I it came with the S/C 3800 with all the GXP exterior and interior trim, I've have one by now. Oh and I do understand that most of those don't relate to the Northstar, but that's my biggest worry, is the size 10 in a size 5 compartment along with the other Northstar issues.

The 2005 SLE came with the GXP duds (just not S/C'd). Otherwise, you're left to conversion.

Softer suspension
17" chrome bent 5s
Standard spoiler
Standard 2002+ oval exhaust tips
Standard 2003+ SLE interior

Basically the 2005 SLE got the GXP headlights, tail lights, bumper covers, and side trim. Other then that just a Standard SLE, not that that is in any way a bad thing.

I meant the bodywork as "duds" other than wheels spoiler.

CMNTMXR57 wrote:I meant the bodywork as "duds" other than wheels spoiler.

I understood what you meant. I was referring more to the full options as " two different memory seat controls, dual heated seats, higher hp the S/C motors offer or GXP, etc. Correct me if the SLE comes with these but there does seem to be a lot more options on the GXP as compared to the SLE. Mind you I still prefer the dash on the 05 SLE to the let's say 2000.

Well the dealer called and the new cluster was "messed up".
He said the red light was bleeding through in different places
especially around the odometer. He thought the LEDs are
bad or something. He was sending it back to try to get
another one.

This doesn't sound good. Maybe I should have just fixed my old one myself.

Why don't they just fix the old one? Seems like that would be the logical choice rather than waiting days to hope they have another one.

Because that's not how GM spec's the repair....

94SilverSSEi wrote:Why don't they just fix the old one? Seems like that would be the logical choice rather than waiting days to hope they have another one.

Chances are they wouldn't have a clue as to how to replace the stepper motors. Not saying all of them are this way, but they are mechanics, not electricians.

I'll tell you why?

It's cheaper, easier, and less prone to error to simply replace it, re-synch it, and re-program it than to have some drunk technician with a soldering iron and removing your OEM cluster diagnosing it's faults, and swapping out components. It also lessens the possibility of screwing up other parts as he's in there jabbing away with that soldering iron, such as heat surges, or actually shorting/crossing circuits on the circuit board. In the end, I'd rather have a bench tested, complete unit where repairs/rehab was done by someone (namely the manufacturer of the part), that has expertise in the part, doing the work.

I know it sucks in this modern world of instant satisfaction, that you may have to wait on parts, but cars today are "modular" in their electronics systems and they're designed and made for R&R (Removal and Replacement), not removal and repair. Module A is broken? Remove old module A and replace with new module A. It saves on diagnostic labor also in most cases.

Case in point, not electronics related, but Borg-Warner, later Tremec T56's behind LSx motored cars, back in the day costed around $2k to swap. To take it out, have a technician split the case, and start diagnosing, repairing, and resealing the case (after investment in the special parts and tools it requires), pushed close to $4,500 (at the time). $2k vs. $4.5k? You do the math. I know it's not the same as a IPC, but figure the same math in a roundabout way.