Key stays in ignition and then dies (long)

[john d]

Originally Posted by erik7

Well, we got the car back last night. Have made a few small trips already without having a problem. I drove it for 10 minutes this morning for the first time and the car did not seem as strong and was making this whoosh type sound that seemed to be coming straight from under the steering wheel.

I don't remember this sound being there, because I remember the car being pretty quiet when I drove it in the past. The problem is, I've never driven it that much to know it's characteristics just yet. And in fact, I'm pretty sure if this sound was there, I wouldn't want the car, it's quite noticeable. We'll be chatting with the dealer though again to make sure this isn't a problem.

Eric - If it's the same sound my 04 made as the wheel was turned (like corduroy pant legs rubbing together as you walk) it's a problem. After the dealer on two or three occasions heavily lubed the steering shaft contact points through the firewall, etc. Cadillac Techinical directed the rack and pinion be replaced.
Again, if it's the same as mine it's the rack and pinion seal at the input shaft of the rack. Seal squeak travels up the steering column and the sound comes from the center hub of the steering wheel, like from under the air bag. Requires R&P replacement. Afterward mine felt loosey/goosey like a 50's Chrysler coaxial ps....little road feel....like the front end was on jack stands (with the engine running for power assist) while turning the wheels.
If it's as I suspect and you get rack and pinion replaced BE SURE it gets an alignment afterward and you get the "before/after" alignment machine printout... mine didn't and tire wear is murder in just a few hundred miles.
Keep us posted...

[erik7]

Originally Posted by john d

Eric - If it's the same sound my 04 made as the wheel was turned (like corduroy pant legs rubbing together as you walk) it's a problem. After the dealer on two or three occasions heavily lubed the steering shaft contact points through the firewall, etc. Cadillac Techinical directed the rack and pinion be replaced.
Again, if it's the same as mine it's the rack and pinion seal at the input shaft of the rack. Seal squeak travels up the steering column and the sound comes from the center hub of the steering wheel, like from under the air bag. Requires R&P replacement. Afterward mine felt loosey/goosey like a 50's Chrysler coaxial ps....little road feel....like the front end was on jack stands (with the engine running for power assist) while turning the wheels.
If it's as I suspect and you get rack and pinion replaced BE SURE it gets an alignment afterward and you get the "before/after" alignment machine printout... mine didn't and tire wear is murder in just a few hundred miles.
Keep us posted...

Thanks John. My gf does not seem to think there is a problem. So I'm going to take a ride with her tomorrow to go over what I'm hearing. And WHEN it goes back to the dealer, I'll be letting them know the problem. Thanks, John.

And Jim, I'm not sure, help my Caddy!!! It will all work out, I still like the SRX, I just don't like ours!

[donjumpsuit]

too bad you were not in california.

They just instituted a 30 day rule, where you can return any and all vehicles within 30 days.

[Smokin' SRX]

Originally Posted by donjumpsuit

too bad you were not in california.

They just instituted a 30 day rule, where you can return any and all vehicles within 30 days.

IF IT'S LIKE THE CHRYSLER..."WE'LL BUY IT BACK WITHIN 30 DAYS." offer......beware. Chrysler is allowed to charge a 3% restocking fee on the original MSRP, plus....$ .45 a mile!! OUCH!!
Few thousand, easy!!

[donjumpsuit]

honestly, I knew about the mileage charge, but the restocking fee is ridiculous, and I would get the lawyers on it.

But in the end, I ended up paying around 38k for a 4 yr lease, and if I started having weird problems they couldn't seem to solve within 12 days after recieving the car, paying a thousand bucks to say "thanks but no thanks" would be more than reasonable.

And then I am sure you would be getting into bargaining the car down to a lower price/lease term because now you have a "used" car with an unfavorable carfax report. They would be begging you to reconsider

(in my wildest dreams perhaps)

[Smokin' SRX]

Originally Posted by donjumpsuit

honestly, I knew about the mileage charge, but the restocking fee is ridiculous, and I would get the lawyers on it.

But in the end, I ended up paying around 38k for a 4 yr lease, and if I started having weird problems they couldn't seem to solve within 12 days after recieving the car, paying a thousand bucks to say "thanks but no thanks" would be more than reasonable.

And then I am sure you would be getting into bargaining the car down to a lower price/lease term because now you have a "used" car with an unfavorable carfax report. They would be begging you to reconsider

(in my wildest dreams perhaps)

One thousand$$......I agree! But think it will be more and alot of grief. Hope it don't happen! Good luck!

[GMJim]

Erik, So far so good?

[erik7]

So far so good. It seems the ignition/fuse issue has been fixed. The sound is still there, and we haven't had it checked out yet. It's not as noticeable as before, but I don't think it will be a big deal.

But it's nice to have the SRX back and working!!

[GMJim]

good 2 hear. Hopefully that's the begining & the end of your problems.

[The Tony Show]

I can't believe the things I'm reading in this thread- It's amazing these dealers haven't bankrupted GM yet by just throwing parts at a problem until it goes away. All three of these issues are simple:

Replacing a steering rack for the rubbing sound? It's a common issue that is fixed by realigning the rubber boot at the base of the steering shaft. Problem solved.

Your "locked key" problem happens on all SRXs when the battery goes dead, the problem was most likely a dead cell in the battery, and whatever moron jumped it logic locked the PCM, which caused your error lights. A Cadillac Master Tech (we have two) would have had you back on the road in 30 minutes, NO trip to the dealer.

As far as your whooshing, I've never experienced it in an SRX, but in the DTSs it is also a rubber boot issue, this one being the parking brake cable boot that covers the hole into the engine bay- they tend to fall out/get loose over time, especially if they've been putzing around under your dash. Have them check for loose/missing boots under the dash and they'll find it.

[erik7]

Originally Posted by The Tony Show

I can't believe the things I'm reading in this thread- It's amazing these dealers haven't bankrupted GM yet by just throwing parts at a problem until it goes away. All three of these issues are simple:

Replacing a steering rack for the rubbing sound? It's a common issue that is fixed by realigning the rubber boot at the base of the steering shaft. Problem solved.

Your "locked key" problem happens on all SRXs when the battery goes dead, the problem was most likely a dead cell in the battery, and whatever moron jumped it logic locked the PCM, which caused your error lights. A Cadillac Master Tech (we have two) would have had you back on the road in 30 minutes, NO trip to the dealer.

As far as your whooshing, I've never experienced it in an SRX, but in the DTSs it is also a rubber boot issue, this one being the parking brake cable boot that covers the hole into the engine bay- they tend to fall out/get loose over time, especially if they've been putzing around under your dash. Have them check for loose/missing boots under the dash and they'll find it.

Hey Tony, thanks for notice on the rubber boot issue. I'll have it looked at.

The problem though has been fixed, and the battery was never replaced. It seems a wire was being rubbed/pinched, which shorted the circuit, causing the fuse to blow which killed power. Unless the dealer was lying to us, and I don't think that is the case. And the car was never jumped. At least, not that I'm aware of. Just an FYI.

Thanks for the help though, it's appreciated. And, also, I want to thank GMJim who has gone out of his way to first help me purchase the SRX, then tried to help get it fixed. And wouldn't except a little gift in thanks.

[GMJim]

Awe shucks Erik, Thanks for you kind words.....................My luck, I would get fired for excepting gratuity. Then I couldn't help you out anymore.