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Intermittent Noises

itsanavalanche

New Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2002
Messages
3
First I'd like to thank you all for a very informative site. Maybe you guys could offer some insight to some problems I am having. I am new to the Chevy Avalanche taking ownership in June of 2002. Its a 2002 1500 with he Z71 package. I have jsut over 7500 miles on it now. Its a great truck and I am very happy with it. I race motorcycles and it pulls my 17 foot trailer with ease. I am having a few issues with it and I was wondering if anyone has had similar problems.

1. The transmission will occasionally attempt to start in 2nd gear, then when I get about 10 feet away from where I started, the transmission snaps down into 1st. This is very intermittent and has only happened 5 times since I took delivery. It never seems to do it when I tow the trailer. (maybe a coincidence).

2. The front brakes make a growling sound. It only does this with light pedal pressure (not enough to activate the ABS) when the truck is going over slightly uneven pavement. It sounds and feels exactly like when you hit those rub strips on the side of the freeway to keep you awake. Only when you hit those you don't have to be braking to make that sound. I thought it was the road at first but its getting worse. I have driven over the same road surfaces in other vehicles (including my Jeep and Audi) and they have not made any noise.

3. The right front day time running light seems to have a ruptured seal. There is constant moisture behind the lens.

I have not taken the truck in for service yet as I am afraid they wont be able to duplicate items 1 or 2 above. Maybe if any of you have had similar problems fixed or know of any TSB's I could reference these.

Thanks in advance
Jim
 
I just dried out my right DRL/Fog light housing the other day.....Took a while but I did not feel like going to dealer for a new one...if it happens again I will...

Welcome to the club
 
I just took my to the dealer for a list of 12 issues, and on that list was a transmission issue. i considered it slipping but you have described probably what is going on. The truck takes off sort of powerlessly and then drops into first gear. it's intermittent and they called me and told me they couldn't duplicate the problem.
One of my other complaints was that the brake system seems to intermittently act up. The pedal will shimmy and vibrate and the truck feels like it doesn't want to stop. they told me it was just the abs. :8: - I don't think so. I like your description better.
Does it happen to you consistanly?
 
About the brake issues, contact GM using the customer support line, or e-mail. Raise a stink... I had a problem with my S-10 and the local dealer dinked around telling me since it was the brakes it was a user wear item and I would have to pay all expenses. It turned out to be my ABS, and when it failed I almost rear-ended a semi at 55 mph. Problem was when the ABS finally failed completely it was 300 miles past the warranty. If you have had conversations with your dealers, get them in written form, not verbal. GM never fixed my ABS problem, and I ended up trading it in with the problem. I have also heard a rrrRRRRrrRRRrrrRRRrrr sound when applying the brakes when backing up. If I hear it again and can make out that it is the ABS I am going to raise heck with GM, in writting so I have a CYA when I have to threaten to get a lawyer involved.... :D:
 
Thanks for all the helpful replies. I'm glad I found this site.

Regarding the engine ping. Mine does this as well. It only pings at or near wide-open throttle. It does it worse with a load, like when pulling the trailer. It goes away when I use higher-octane fuel. If I plan to pull the trailer I try to coordinate that with using higher-octane fuel. Normally I use a major brand 89 octane fuel. Switching brands does not seem to help the pinging.

Regarding the brakes, no it does not happen constantly. In fact I drove around the other day with the intention of making it happen and I could not get it to make the noise. Then later the same day on the way to work, grrrrrrr. I am going to try and rotate the tires. Maybe its the way the fronts are wearing.

Unfortunately both the brake noise and the transmission thing are so intermittent that any dealer will have a hard time duplicating both.

Jim
 
BRake issue...does this happen on your first drive of the day......like on your way to work?

If so maybe their is a light coat of dew or surface rust on the rotors which is making the noise or starting to activate the ABS on a stop....The ABS is always on and will activate when the wheels start to lock up with no respect to where you have the brake pedal....

Find a empty wet parking lot and practice with your ABS....I can get mine to come on with light brake pressure on really slick roads...HEck find a slightly wet lawn or muddy field and try it there...see if the noise is the same....

DO you feel anything in the brake pedal?

Just a thought.....
 
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