Help! Starting to HATE my new 2006 SRX :-(

[iprncess]

Well,
The used car mechanic called to say that he had done everything he could and would have to turn it over to the "big" service department and have them look at it. We talked to our friend the used car manager who basically said that his mechanic does all the work on the used cars that come in as trades before they put them out. Although it is one big dealership everyone is out to make a dollar. Long story short, used cars is paying for the repairs and it would have been cheaper if their guy could fix the problem. Apparently it's going to cost them quite a bit more to send it over to the actual service center because they could car less about the cost to them. Not really my problem and I don't really care I just want it fixed. He sent it over to them kinda late so it will be tomorrow before I hear anything.

[Superjim]

How many miles are on it?
Did you find out if it was CERTIFIED or not?

Jim

[iprncess]

It has 62K Miles on it and with the Monday morning madness I forgot the ask the question about it being Certified. I don't have to pay for the repairs (even if it goes to the other shop) because this issue was there from day 2 and they just haven't fixed it. Unfortunately service closes at 5 so I'll call them in the morning.

[iprncess]

So I get "the call" and the mechanic says that they have looked at my car from top to bottom and nothing is mechanically wrong with it. They spoke to GM (whoever that is) and the bulletin they gave me the second time I brought it is the explanation. GM is investigating the "SES light on cold start with no engine performance concerns" and as documented in the bulletin, hope to have a cause/solution this month. The said when that happens they will call me to bring it back in.

I have the bulletin and can scan it if anyone is interested. The only thing that bothers me is that it list 2005-2006 Cadillac SRX, STS, XLR with 4.6L Engine (RPO LH2)
My car is a 4.8L. The mechanic says that I should be worried about that.

So for now, I have to stare at the SES light until they figure out the problem......GM I hope this is something you reinvent during your big reinvention!

[Superjim]

Originally Posted by iprncess

So I get "the call" and the mechanic says that they have looked at my car from top to bottom and nothing is mechanically wrong with it. They spoke to GM (whoever that is) and the bulletin they gave me the second time I brought it is the explanation. GM is investigating the "SES light on cold start with no engine performance concerns" and as documented in the bulletin, hope to have a cause/solution this month. The said when that happens they will call me to bring it back in.

I have the bulletin and can scan it if anyone is interested. The only thing that bothers me is that it list 2005-2006 Cadillac SRX, STS, XLR with 4.6L Engine (RPO LH2)

My car is a 4.8L. The mechanic says that I should be worried about that.

You need another mechanic.
As far as I know...Cadillac HAS NEVER BUILT a 4.8L Northstar.
Regular Northstars are 4.6L and the High Performance Northstars in the STS-V and XLR-V with Superchargers are 4.4L.

If you have a 4.8L Northstar...you have a "ONE OF A KIND."

The codes that you posted earlier...all point to an air leak.
Just because this "MECHANIC" (and I use the term loosely)..can't find it... don't mean it isn't there.

Sounds like they may just be trying to get rid of you...as in... "When we know something..we will call you."
The classic...don't call me...I'll call you.

Texas Jim

[iprncess]

4.8L.....yeah that was a typo...had V8 on the brain.


Well we've been friends with the sales manager a while (3 dealerships ago lol) and I do believe that he would be the first to say "They don't have a clue what is going on. Let me call one of the other 20 sales guys we hang out with and have you take it to another GM Service center". He did say that the service department is out to make money just like they are and if they had a chance to fix something and charge parts, labor, etc to used cars they would have gladly done it.

I read the bulletin over and over and planned to take it with me to another dealership tomorrow then......the light was off when I left work this afternoon. Guess I have to wait until it comes back on to find out what the deal is. The bulletin from GM is dated June 9 (day before I bought my car ) and states that they hope to have a solution by July 2009 (No specific date)

It continues....

[Superjim]

Ok...I yield ...for now.

Looks like they (GM) are working on it.
I really hope you get it resolved soon.
I know you will love it when the problem is fixed.

The N* is a great engine.
I have put well over 100,000 miles on my two 2006 DTS's.
I have had ZERO engine or transmission trouble.

Texas Jim

[iprncess]

Actually Jim I really appreciate all your advice with this. The light is gone for now and I had a very pleasant driving experience today. For the first time I had to pick up speed rather quickly and maneuver around another car and I must say it handled better than my Accord. I was very impressed.

I'll wait to see if A. The light comes back on, or B. They contact me with a solution. If/When the light comes on, I'll get a second opinion.

Over 100K Miles, that's impressive. I hope to be so lucky. I'm glad to be supporting American made right now. Kinda feel like I made at least a small difference having decided on the Cadillac instead of the Honda.

Thanks again!

[robhersch]

We have 2 N*V8s: a 1999 N*V8 (300 HP, FWD, 4 sp auto) DeVille Concours and a 2005 N*V8 (320 HP RWD, 5 sp auto w/ shifter) SRX and we have had no problems with either.
We do find thatthe 99 typically has ~ 20% better fuel economy - city or hiwy driving - and we love both.
We agree that your problem is typical af an unwanted input air leak somewhere. We hope that you can find a mechanic who can find and fix it.
Good luck

[bigbadbow]

Princess I'm afraid you are never going to be happy with this car until you quit looking at your MPG. Get the air leak fixed, but quit trying to compare this car to the Pilot. The Honda weighed in at 4300-4600lbs depending on 4x4 or not. You are now in a vehicle weighing in at OVER 6000lbs. Next time you pull up next to a pilot at a stoplight push on the accelerator hard and glance back in your rearview mirror, I am sure you will see the grill of a Honda Pilot! What were you thinking you would see for MPG's with the V8? I just picked up an 07 SRX N* AWD with the sport pkg and 20" wheels CPO'ed for my wife and this thing flat out HAULS A$$ plus I have 74K miles and almost 4 years to fix problems under warranty! I don't really care what the MPG is, I care about how safe my family is and that the car can get out of the way when necessary. My truck 2500HD 4x4 Crew has the 8.1 engine with the Allison transmission and I can haul as much as the diesels, but toast em from a light. You picked the V8, which in my opinion is the best option for this vehicle and you are just going to have to accept it or you might as well go back to the Honda and keep looking at the rear end of SRX's with the N*

[Northern SRX]

Originally Posted by bigbadbow

Princess I'm afraid you are never going to be happy with this car until you quit looking at your MPG. Get the air leak fixed, but quit trying to compare this car to the Pilot. The Honda weighed in at 4300-4600lbs depending on 4x4 or not. You are now in a vehicle weighing in at OVER 6000lbs. Next time you pull up next to a pilot at a stoplight push on the accelerator hard and glance back in your rearview mirror, I am sure you will see the grill of a Honda Pilot! What were you thinking you would see for MPG's with the V8? I just picked up an 07 SRX N* AWD with the sport pkg and 20" wheels CPO'ed for my wife and this thing flat out HAULS A$$ plus I have 74K miles and almost 4 years to fix problems under warranty! I don't really care what the MPG is, I care about how safe my family is and that the car can get out of the way when necessary. My truck 2500HD 4x4 Crew has the 8.1 engine with the Allison transmission and I can haul as much as the diesels, but toast em from a light. You picked the V8, which in my opinion is the best option for this vehicle and you are just going to have to accept it or you might as well go back to the Honda and keep looking at the rear end of SRX's with the N*

The curb weight of the SRX is roughly 4200-4500 lbs, depending on engine and equip (like sunroof and 3rd row). The GVWR used to be ~6000 lbs but is now something over 7,000 lbs IIRC.

In any case, the OP was actually comparing the SRX's mileage with that of her '07 Accord (don't know if it was a V6 or an I4) and that is an even stranger comparison.

[iprncess]

Originally Posted by bigbadbow

Princess I'm afraid you are never going to be happy with this car until you quit looking at your MPG. Get the air leak fixed, but quit trying to compare this car to the Pilot. The Honda weighed in at 4300-4600lbs depending on 4x4 or not. You are now in a vehicle weighing in at OVER 6000lbs. Next time you pull up next to a pilot at a stoplight push on the accelerator hard and glance back in your rearview mirror, I am sure you will see the grill of a Honda Pilot! What were you thinking you would see for MPG's with the V8? I just picked up an 07 SRX N* AWD with the sport pkg and 20" wheels CPO'ed for my wife and this thing flat out HAULS A$$ plus I have 74K miles and almost 4 years to fix problems under warranty! I don't really care what the MPG is, I care about how safe my family is and that the car can get out of the way when necessary. My truck 2500HD 4x4 Crew has the 8.1 engine with the Allison transmission and I can haul as much as the diesels, but toast em from a light. You picked the V8, which in my opinion is the best option for this vehicle and you are just going to have to accept it or you might as well go back to the Honda and keep looking at the rear end of SRX's with the N*

N* is correct, I was comparing it to my Honda Accord which I NEVER expected them to get the same MPG, however even if you are prepared for it, going from a car getting 24 MPG in the city to an SUV getting (now) 13 MPG might just be a teeny tiny bit of a shocker and take a little getting use to.

Not sure if you read the entire thread or just the original post and then pounced, but I actually love the car and have from the day I got it, but it would be frustrating for ANYONE who goes from a perfect vehicle with zero problems, trades up to a luxury vehicle with high expectations and starts having issues causing it to be in and out the shop FOUR times before the permanent plates are even on. Kinda think I have the right to be just a little frustrated

I also love how people who are having zero problems and don't have a clue how you feel, choose to say "suck it up and deal" as opposed to actually offering some real advice. I believe I have the right to express my frustrations and STILL like my car. It's also kinda crappy that I even had to explain that but whatever...

[iprncess]

Originally Posted by Superjim

Ok...I yield ...for now.

Looks like they (GM) are working on it.
I really hope you get it resolved soon.
I know you will love it when the problem is fixed.

The N* is a great engine.
I have put well over 100,000 miles on my two 2006 DTS's.
I have had ZERO engine or transmission trouble.

Texas Jim

Jim,
Light came back on yesterday..you'll be happy to know I'm taking it in for a second opinion tomorrow morning. Will fill ya in!

[Northern SRX]

Originally Posted by iprncess

N* is correct, I was comparing it to my Honda Accord which I NEVER expected them to get the same MPG, however even if you are prepared for it, going from a car getting 24 MPG in the city to an SUV getting (now) 13 MPG might just be a teeny tiny bit of a shocker and take a little getting use to.

Not sure if you read the entire thread or just the original post and then pounced, but I actually love the car and have from the day I got it, but it would be frustrating for ANYONE who goes from a perfect vehicle with zero problems, trades up to a luxury vehicle with high expectations and starts having issues causing it to be in and out the shop FOUR times before the permanent plates are even on. Kinda think I have the right to be just a little frustrated

I also love how people who are having zero problems and don't have a clue how you feel, choose to say "suck it up and deal" as opposed to actually offering some real advice. I believe I have the right to express my frustrations and STILL like my car. It's also kinda crappy that I even had to explain that but whatever...

It does suck and I was in your shoes for a (thankfully) brief period with our '04 SRX. But it was a performance vehicle (which the Accord isn't) and has a lot of characteristics that are worth putting up with the frustrations. However, you haven't owned it long enough to truly appreciate those positive attributes - at least not enough to take the warts in stride. I hope that time comes for you.

[robhersch]

Originally Posted by iprncess

So I get "the call" and the mechanic says that they have looked at my car from top to bottom and nothing is mechanically wrong with it............
So for now, I have to stare at the SES light until they figure out the problem......GM I hope this is something you reinvent during your big reinvention!

"Splain" to your dealer that "you understand that it is NOT A MECHANICAL problem" (the computer is NOT BROKEN, it just needs a computer savvy technition to correct the malfunction). Back in "the old days", GM could almost always get it right. Not sure Government Motors can or will, but we surely hope they do; meanwhile we may have to identify reputable independents to perform our service.
Good luck, we wish you the best!! SRX is a great vehicle and the N*V8 is still one of the best!!