Big trouble with my CTS….any ideas?

[rsingl]

Mike,

Problems like this are often caused by a wiring harness issue (connector problem or insulation rub-through if the harness was misrouted) or a loose ground connection. Because they are intermittent they can be very difficult to locate. At this point I would start pushing for a buyback/exchange because your vehicle definitely has a safety issue that was not corrected on the first go round. After failing twice in the same manner unless the dealer service department/GM technical assistance can clearly identify the cause (i.e. evidence of insulation damage from a wire rubbing) it is human nature that you will never really trust this particular vehicle again.

Good luck on getting this quickly and successfully resolved. Your particular severe failure appears to be unique and is not part of an "epidemic" so hopefully your dealer/corporate can get you into a different vehicle if they cannot identify and fix the fault. I am very happy with my CTS and hopefully you will soon be in a good one.

[mikem381]

While a tech or someone (not sure on who) was driving the car it failed, thank God. Timing is everything, glad it happened to them.

Something about 13 data lines and being able to track it to 1. A pinched harness is what I think my wife told me when they talked to her and it may take some time to track down and fix.

To me that is good news, it sure beats all the alternatives, I had a very bad feeling about where this would go. Now (I hope) I will have confidence next time we get it back.

I will post with the final outcome when I am sure what they did to the
wiring harness to fix it. When I do, I hope it will help someone with the same problem.

[C6Vette]

Mike, good luck with the issue. I hope it works out for you. It's very difficult to hear stories like this especially since I just put an order in for an 09. My Corvette had some issues, but never anything that would cause issues while driving.

[NOT ON MY WATCH]

Really sorry to hear about what you're experiencing - I can only imagine how you must have felt in that traffic situation.

It only takes a couple instances of an unresolved safety-related issue before you can invoke the lemon law for a buy back. Just some friendly advice in case you or your wife want out of a vehicle you consider dangerous.

[mikem381]

Well twice with my wife and I once with the dealer.
They told me it would be fixed… then it would not start the day we were to get it back.

Guess it’s not fixed; I like the car BUT… Well you know.

I will keep you informed as to what happens.

I am starting to get feed back from other sources and finding this might not be so isolated. Maybe not this exact mystery but electrical in general.

To GM’s credit they have been successful isolating the problem and fixed in other cases.

[Dr Chill]

Simple solution. Just tell them to give you a really good deal on a 2009 CTS-V and trade it in when the V arrives.

[mikem381]

Hey Dr Chill

Good idea, I need to gain a level of confidence before I make that leap.

[Dr Chill]

Originally Posted by mikem381

Hey Dr Chill

Good idea, I need to gain a level of confidence before I make that leap.

If you want confidence after having your experience, get a Lexus or Toyota. If you want balls to the wall rubber melting acceleration, get a V. I have had numerous problems with my Renntech enhanced E55, but every time I pick it up from service, it brings a smile to my face. I suspect the CTS-V that is replacing it will be similar.