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I refuse to comply with windshield washer heater recall. How about you?

carl3989

Full Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2012
Messages
10
So I'm in my local Chevy dealership having it serviced, when the Service manager says: "We also "fixed" the recall on the windshield washer heater". I was less than pleased, because I knew what GM's so called "fix" was. To me, the removal of the heater and disconnect of the switch, wouldn't even pass Mr. Rube Goldberg's idea of a fix. I promptly told the service manager to reinstall that heater, but was informed that the technician had damaged it in performance of the recall. So after I spoke to the dealership owner, I was assured that the next heater removed from a recalled vehicle would be placed in mine after I signed a legal paper absolving the dealership of any liability. So to make a long story short, I had to go back on another date to have this heater reinstalled. Why? I live in upstate NY and it's a handy item to have. Also I can't stand the thought of having a switch on a $45000 vehicle not be functional. Think about, we can put a man on the moon, but the only way to fix a possible malfunctioning heater is to remove it? What say you? :E: >:D
 
I used the $100 to get the after market one. There is not as much heat so this one doesnt make steam shoot out.  (n)
 
This is why I don't like going to the stealership.  I took my wifes car to the dealership fix a recall that had nothing to do with what it was in for originally. 

I don't mind the fact that they fixed something that would have cost plenty to fix under normal circumstances.  I just wish they had asked me before they did it. 

The last time I took my truck to the dealership, I was sitting in the waiting room listening to the 'techs' playing around and honking the horns on all the cars in the garage.  I go out there to look, and that's all they're doing.  They're not honking to warn they're backing up or anything.  Just playing around. 
 
I also took the $100 and bought the after market one for my 07. Was going to take it off and use it on the new one but the 2011 don't have a button to start it so let it go with the AV.  You can get an after market for the 2011 but it is a direct hookup to the battery and the water is heated all the time instead of just when needed.  I guess maybe a switch could be installed before the control and it could be turned on when needed.  Might do a little thinking about that before next winter.  It does work getting bugs off also.
 
Here's a direct replacement for the recalled factory window washer fluid heater...

http://alphathermusa.com/heatedwash-AT-37GM.html

R
 
I just love newbies, should I bring the marshmallows and weeners when your house burns down because you don't understand what a recall is.

GM did it for a reason Hint burn baby burn it has happened.
 
Randy said:
Here's a direct replacement for the recalled factory window washer fluid heater...

http://alphathermusa.com/heatedwash-AT-37GM.html

R
Thank you Randy, this is very constructive and seems to be the answer to the problem. However it still begs the question as to why GM couldn't do this rather than just a disconnect?
 
Here is a little more info
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/08/gm-drops-hotshot-windshield-washer-system-after-expensive-recall/
 
yea .. and I see the insurance company .... oh look! ... he has the GM heated washer unit ... well that is what started the fire ... we are done here ... claim denied ...

just take your $100 bucks and get the aftermarket unit ....
 
I've kept mine.Maybe it will burn up,who knows but I have yet to see one burn.Never heard of one burning.My insurance has not said anything to me about it being connected.Unless its on over night while the engine is off,I think my house is safe. >:D
 
That not all that may burnup

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/crime/gm-denies-recall-is-linked-to-expensive-house-fire-754383.html
 
I'm not saying its not possible,I'm saying its not propable.Besides this artical says they could not be sure as to what caused the fire.
I've seen cars burning,differnt makes and models.
If mine doesnt burn before I sell it,the new owners can have it disconnected.I like it. >:D
 
How does the recall work?  I have an 07 that I bought several months ago with everything still in tact.  If I take it to the dealership with they remove and pay me?

Also, how much risk do I have?  Obviously if I don't use it there is none (I'm not too worried for now... I park in a garage at home and at work).  How many vehicles have had problems?  xx out of how many GM vehicles (tahoe, suburban, yukon, silverado, avalanche, etc)??
 
I just read one of the other articles... 1.5 million vehicles affected.  How many had problems? 5 fires?  50?  500?
 
MS03 2500 said:
I just love newbies, should I bring the marshmallows and weeners when your house burns down because you don't understand what a recall is.

GM did it for a reason Hint burn baby burn it has happened.

I refused the second recall also. After the first one for the ground strap, which I had done, there were some few new complaints that involved melting but nothing catching fire. I strongly suspect (believe without absolute proof) those involved owners running the heater with no fluid in the system. GM understandably caved for potential liability reasons.

I live in cold country and find the original GM system most functional and useful. As I understand it, the Alphtherm unit is significantly less so and I, unlike GM, don't need to be held hostage to the complaints, actions, nor inactions of fools. As to the varied and continuing pronouncements that an insurance company can deny a comp claim because a recall simply wasn't performed, that's just total crap.
 
I also refuse to disconnect my washer heater. I use it in the winter and also think GM should have been more proactive and fixed it instead of just disconnecting it. I have asked tow dealerships about what the components look like when they are pulled and I get "like new to slightly melted". Never do I get that they have caught on fire.

I use my heater sparingly. I only let it stay on for one cycle at a time and then I physically shut it off to keep it from over heating. If I still need more deicing I will use it again after a couple minutes. I've never had a problem with it and therefore will continue to use it. 
 
Streets said:
I'm not saying its not possible,I'm saying its not propable.Besides this artical says they could not be sure as to what caused the fire.
I've seen cars burning,differnt makes and models.
If mine doesnt burn before I sell it,the new owners can have it disconnected.I like it. >:D

your not looking at it right .... you think GM , or any car company for that matter, is going to say ... "yep! He's right! ... It caught on fire because of the heated washer problem" ... they do that and then they are paying them 400,000 for a new house plus the car .... then the next fire and the next one ... well you paid them 400k .....  they would never agree it was there fault until they were made to by the court ....

they will do everything in there power to be removed from liability or they will open themselves up to millions in liability over it ....
 
I don't think I have one so how would you know if you do have a washer heater and where is the on/off switch located? It might come in handy when it drops below 70 here! >:D
 
HawaiianBrian said:
I don't think I have one so how would you know if you do have a washer heater and where is the on/off switch located? It might come in handy when it drops below 70 here! >:D

center of the dash ... below the radio and climate control... there is 4 buttons .... one is for heated washer fluid ....
 
Received at least 7 recall postcards over the years.  I waited 5 years until I found out about the AlphaTherm replacement.......no excuse for waiting any longer or not doing the recall....Had the dealer remove the original, got the $100 and bought the replacement for $70. If you a the heated windshield washer there is no excuse for not substituting the aftermarket....works even better and I like the new rapid blink feature in the OEM button after the cycle completes....Under the recall Chevy leaves the original button, relay, wiring, bracket, hoses and connectors intact...all they do is clip and tape the wiring from the old unit leaving all the original connectors and shunt the input hose to the output hose using a plastic connector.....the new unit is a 15 minute install with only a screwdriver. I removed the 15 amp ($4.50) fuse from the circuit as a precaution prior to bringing it in for the recall for reuse with the new unit.
 
I'm wondering if mine was removed already (just bought an 07 used). Anyone got any pics as to where this thing is located under the hood?
 
This was not standard in 07....an option on all but the LTZ. If it came with the vehicle you will have up to 4 buttons below the climate controls  (power pedals) - (parking assist) - (traction control off) and (heated windshield washer).


If you have the heated washer button, the easiest way is to push the washer button if it exists.....no lights, no wash/wipe......no washer module. There should also be a sticker on the upper radiator support, but it could have been removed somewhere along the line. Go to the alphaTherm site....they have videos on the installation.........if removed under recall, the remaining bracket and two taped wiring connectors are located under the firewall/drivers fender reinforcement plate....the washer bracket is on the firewall next to the master cylinder and the two taped harnesses (containing the connectors need for the new units and mating connectors that are taped off and discarded after the installation). The washer hose input is connected to the output with a ferruled connector.


Also, under the first recall a short harness containing a 1 amp fuse was added to one of the harnesses...second recall removed the module altogether. You might check to make sure that that fuse and the 30 amp fuse in the main fuse box on the driver's fender) was not removed during the recall.
 
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