Dash Vibration - Dealer won't fix it

[MJN2]

Dealer is Country Pontiac-Buick in Antioch, IL. Took my car to them two weeks ago for several problems:Dash vibration (second time for this)Battery weak in cold weatherclutch slipping a bit (19800 miles on the car)Defroster/heater fan getting loudmetallic rattle inside the car - intermittent (found it myself later)From the tech:Battery checks out fineclutch is finedefroster is supposed to be that loud - it's the AC compressor running (?)Can't find the metallic rattleThey acknowledged that there is a vibration in the dash, but refused to repair it since it only occurs at medium to high engine revs (4000+). I was basically told that it is my driving/shifting style that is causing the vibration.Not too happy right now, to say the least. This is my first GM product and the first issue I've had with my dealer's service department, so a link to some info on what steps to take would be extremely helpful.Thanks

[joatmon]

bummer, sounds like they just blew you off. The car is designed to go over 8000 rpms, what a load of bs if they say that it's your driving that causes the rattle. grrr.The battery and clutch are issues that GM is supposed to be looking in to, the battery is maybe nearer to some answer, the GT clutch problem seems to be relatively common but unacknowledged by GM dealers so farI also don't think you could hear the AC compressor. My fan on high is pretty loud, but if yours is louder than it used to be, one thing that may be contributing to an increased heater fan sound could possibly, maybe? be the cabin air filter. if clogged, would restrict air flow, which would probably make the fan louder (and less productive too). What was the metallic rattle?I don't know how effective it will be, but the owner's manual has a section on customer satisfaction procedure, which saysQuote »Customer Satisfaction ProcedureYour satisfaction and goodwill are important to yourdealer and to Pontiac. Normally, any concerns with thesales transaction or the operation of your vehicle will beresolved by your dealer’s sales or service departments.Sometimes, however, despite the best intentions ofall concerned, misunderstandings can occur. If yourconcern has not been resolved to your satisfaction,the following steps should be taken:STEP ONE -- Discuss your concern with a memberof dealership management. Normally, concerns canbe quickly resolved at that level. If the matter hasalready been reviewed with the sales, service or partsmanager, contact the owner of the dealership or thegeneral manager.STEP TWO -- If after contacting a member ofdealership management, it appears your concern cannotbe resolved by the dealership without further help, contactthe Pontiac Customer Assistance Center by calling1-800-762-2737. In Canada, contact GM of CanadaCustomer Communication Centre in Oshawa by calling1-800-263-3777 (English) or 1-800-263-7854 (French).We encourage you to call the toll-free number in orderto give your inquiry prompt attention. Please have thefollowing information available to give the CustomerAssistance Representative: Vehicle Identification Number (This is availablefrom the vehicle registration or title, or the plateat the top left of the instrument panel and visiblethrough the windshield.) Dealership name and location Vehicle delivery date and present mileageWhen contacting Pontiac, please remember thatyour concern will likely be resolved at a dealer’s facility.That is why we suggest you follow Step One first ifyou have a concern.

[VibeSalsa]

Quote, originally posted by Salsa! »Get the car to another dealer.....I would do that too.

[MJN2]

Checking on other dealers in my area right now. Kind of stinks having to do that, since my dealer is less than 5 minutes from home. Blah

[SGT]

I had a problem with my Sunfire once and I called the Pontiac Cares number. I explained to them my disgust (my car was out of warranty at the time, but just out at 39,000) that their car would fall apart at 2 months out of warranty. I had electrical problems with arcing plug wires, burned out distributer. I also told them it was my 4th Pontiac, but the first that was self destructing at 2 1/2 years old.Pontiac paid for all the parts after that call, I just had to pay the labor. I realize this is a little different, expecially since your car is still in warranty, but you would be surprised what a call directly to Pontiac can accomplish if the dealer won't help.

[scherry2]

Quote, originally posted by MJN2 »Dash vibration (second time for this)where is the rattle in your dash coming from? does it sound like plastic on plastic like an "itch" sound? does it sound like it is coming from the left side of Dash up by the a- pillar? mine had a rattle(itch) at around 4000 RPMs and i took a small peice of foam and stuck it between the Dash and the A-pillar up by the windsheild on the left side.I would also call the pontiac help line and let them know what happened at the dealer.

[champcaracing]

had this problem on my matrix, removed the top dash and insulated the plastic "clips" and the part of the fire wall that they went into. quiet car now (up front), now gotta get the rattle in the rear fixed. i'll wait till spring time.

[fire_502]

What does your fan sound like? Mine has been doing this weird thing where when I turn it from OFF to LOW it makes this weird sputtering noise that I can only describe as similar to ET's voice. I'm really bad at describing weird noises my car makes. Anyway, the noise gets louder and faster when I accelerate, but I can only here it on LOW because the blower noise overpowers it at higher speeds and it stops when I turn the blower off. I have an appointment at the dealer on Friday, so I'll bring it up then and see what they say.

[threekrows]

I had to replace the blower motor on mine(under warranty)the plastic cage came apart from the shaft of the motor and the cage was rubbing on the heater fan housing(heard more noise on low speed setting)

[MJN2]

The metallic rattle ended up being the cable that connects to the passenger seat hitting against the cd changer. I wrapped a thin piece of foam around the cable with a couple of plastic cable-ties. Seems to have quieted it down.The dash noise is coming from almost dead center. I had it in once before for this, and the worksheet says they "removed and reinstalled defroster vents." However, the noise is coming from inside the dash. I even took the tech that was working on the car for a ride, and he acknowledged that it's there. But according to him, the Pontiac Tech Line told him not to fix it, since it doesn't happen under what Pontiac considers "normal" driving.The blower is noisy only when I have it set on defrost. If I have it set to floor or the vents, it's quiet. Tech said that it's "supposed to be that loud." Can't say that I really believe that, since it hasn't always been that way.I haven't called Pontiac Customer Assistance yet. I'm still fuming a bit over the whole situation, so I figure I might want to calm down before calling them

[YoYo]

I've got that same 3000 rpm+ vibration rattle from inside the center of the dash. Please post if you figure out what it is!

[NSimkins]

If anyone is daring and wanting to attempt to get rid of the center dash vibration/rattle themselves, check out this thread for full details:http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=2522The direct link to the instructions are here (courtesy of member "vibe owner"):http://home.comcast.net/~vibeowner/buzz.htmThere are pics and instructions on how to remove the dash and fix the buzzing.

[pmh013]

Quote, originally posted by MJN2 » Can't say that I really believe that, since it hasn't always been that way.I haven't called Pontiac Customer Assistance yet. I'm still fuming a bit over the whole situation, so I figure I might want to calm down before calling them Holy cow, if I didn't know any better, I'd think we have the same dealer!!My car had a plugged catalytic converter, causing it to spontaneously downshift at highway speeds. My dealer told me for 6 months "that's the way the car's designed." Well, it didn't do it for the first 3 months I owned it, so what gives? In any case, being a persistent pain in the (removed) got it fixed. The point is, "that's the way it's designed" is NOT a legitimate answer to any complaint! I'm an engineer, and I know that the end users of my products would not appreciate it if I cut corners & put out a shoddy product, so I expect of others.Anyway, would call when you're fuming mad. Nothing like a little passion to get your point across. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, you know. Too bad the squeaky dash doesn't get the fixing!

[VibeR8Lava2Tone]

Try taking it to Anthony Pontiac in Gurnee

[Stang2Vibe]

I've got that annoying buzzing sound coming from my dash now, too. It's gotten much worse in the colder weather. Sounds like a dash clip or something vibrating against the base of the windshield, but mine is about 3/4 of the way across the dash on the passenger side (seems to be above the passenger airbag at the base of the windshield). Only starts making noise when tach reads around 3-4K. Driving me crazy. I'll have to see what my dealer tells me. I'm making a list of all the stuff I want fixed/looked at. I'm starting to get a squishy/sqeaky sound when I let the clutch pedal up now too. It gets really annoying hearing that sound after every single shift.

[JustinVGT]

I have those two same problems also, the dash buzzing around 4-5k rpm and my clutch pedal sqeaks each time it is depressed. I haven't gotten around to the dealer yet.

[canadavibegt]

I had same vibration and had no problems from the dealer to fix. Mind you it is now worse and has to go back...... They were more than happy to fix it again though