Dead battery / Brake Recall?

CubsFan · 08-20-2008, 09:38 PM

Okay, so I've had Black Betty for 18 days now. I love her, she's great! Unfortunately, we had an incident Sunday. I went to start her up and all I got was a couple of clicks. I took the keys out and headed back into the house when I heard a weird noise. The CD player was making a noise like it was trying to load CD's and the Tach and Speedometer were jumping around. Now mind you, the keys were out of the ignition -- heck I was out of the car and had already closed the door.

Any way, long story short. The dealer says that it was just a dead battery and they replaced it. Anybody else have this happen? What gets me is the instruments and stereo acting goofy.

Also, the service rep is going over what they did and mentions that they performed the recall service on the brakes. Two questions here: One, what recall? I can't find anything on this; and, two, why wasn't this done before they let me take it off of the lot? Or the very next day when they had to swap out the rims that they put on in the showroom?

This all just seems odd to me. I've never had a brand new car's battery just completely fail in 1100 miles.

silversolstice · 08-20-2008, 09:53 PM

Put down the whiskey and relax. The Brake recall has been all over the place. ALLEGEDLY, the brakes don't build up enough vacuum on startup and people have backed into things.

As far as a dead battery, if you left something on it doesn't matter know new the car is or you may have gotten a bad battery.

The real question is why do you only have 1100 miles on your car?

Small Dealer · 08-20-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xraywhiskey

Two questions here: One, what recall? I can't find anything on this; and, two, why wasn't this done before they let me take it off of the lot? Or the very next day when they had to swap out the rims that they put on in the showroom?

There has been no recall on your Solstice for anything brake related.

There is an updated software programing procedure for owners that notice "Pedal Noise/Buzz, Extra Effort Needed to Depress Brake Pedal After Vehicle Has Not Been Driven for Extended Period of Time".

That is probably the procedure the service department completed.

Sol-Mates · 08-21-2008, 03:15 AM

The brake recall, which is what the notice from Pontiac called it, was I believe only for automatics. My wifes car had it done... after starting the car in the morning or after it sat in the parking lot while she was at work, the brakes were almost non-existent the first time or two they were applied. It's a good thing they did the update.

Small Dealer · 08-21-2008, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sol-Mates

The brake recall, which is what the notice from Pontiac called it, was I believe only for automatics.

So there is no confussion, there was no recall.

On June 26th, GM sent a letter to certain owners of 2008 Pontiac Solstice (automatics and manuals) advising them that there is an updated software (calibration) programing procedure for owners that notice "Pedal Noise/Buzz, Extra Effort Needed to Depress Brake Pedal After Vehicle Has Not Been Driven for Extended Period of Time".

CubsFan · 08-21-2008, 08:16 AM

Thanks for the info.

I've done more searching and I thank SmallDealer here for helping point me in the right direction.

I see from the paperwork the service rep gave me that two of the forms read two different ways. The one summary of performed service on the dealer's letterhead refers to the brake "fix" as a recall; however, the slightly more "official" looking one refers to this as an "upgrade" to the ECM/BCM.

As for the dead battery, I'm still nervous accepting the explanation that I got from the service rep that it was just a drained battery from sitting in the lot. Although, I guess it's just a wait-and-see thing.

Oh, and SilverSolstice, I'm working on the miles. I'm doing a little road trip this afternoon to get ahead of Tropical Storm Faye.... don't need some freak tree limb accident while it's parked.

Sol-Mates · 08-21-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Small Dealer

So there is no confussion, there was no recall.

On June 26th, GM sent a letter to certain owners of 2008 Pontiac Solstice (automatics and manuals) advising them that there is an updated software (calibration) programing procedure for owners that notice "Pedal Noise/Buzz, Extra Effort Needed to Depress Brake Pedal After Vehicle Has Not Been Driven for Extended Period of Time".

We didn't get a letter... it was just a postcard.

Los Sol · 08-22-2008, 05:42 AM

My battery died also after just 11 days of purchase, and around 250 miles.
This happened last month.
And no, I did not leave anything on.
The dealer replaced it but would give me no receipt.........Hmmmm.
Anyway, it is a 2008 model but according to the sticker inside the door jam.
it says 06/07.
If the car was sitting around for over a year, I guess a battery issue is possible.
So far so good on the replacement though.............

dengel · 08-22-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Los Sol

My battery died also after just 11 days of purchase, and around 250 miles.
This happened last month.
And no, I did not leave anything on.
The dealer replaced it but would give me no receipt.........Hmmmm.
Anyway, it is a 2008 model but according to the sticker inside the door jam.
it says 06/07.
If the car was sitting around for over a year, I guess a battery issue is possible.
So far so good on the replacement though.............

I agree. I had issues with my battery over the winter due to a combination of cold temps and not starting the car for days at a time. If the car sat outside on a dealers lot for months at a time without starting, the battery very well may have gotten drained to the point of being damaged.

For anyone who lives in colder climates and doesn't drive their car much in winter, a trickle charger to keep the battery healthy is a really good idea.