Just informed that my Sly (bare-bones+AC) shipped 11/26 heading home to Montgomery, AL. I sent this to my dealer today--sort of a checklist I'll use before assuming ownership (thanks to you all). Any other issues I need to be aware of?
-------------------- Solstice
Checkout Checklist
Caution:
• Before storing the top and closing back deck, leave the top’s lock lever in the out position (do not close the lever)—won’t bend the lever
• Before putting up top, roll windows down a bit—better fit
• Before closing hood, open doors—to not chip paint
Instructions on storing the top: When unlocking the top at the windshield, leave the top’s lock lever in OUT position. DO NOT PLACE IT BACK IN THE STOWED POSITION WHEN YOU CLOSE THE TOP. Do not try be neat and tuck it back into top frame like in the closed position. Tucking it in causes the little hook to extend forward and when closing the trunk that latch hits the hook can causes mis-alignment when trying to lock the top.
Attached are several pictures:
#1 - shows the handle on the top in the out position which is way it should stay in order to fold top. Don't be anal and try to close it and tuck it back into it's slot in the top, leave it out.
#2 - shows result of hook/lever when handle is out, hook is retracted in which is good. Remember, handle out = hook in....good.
#3 - shows what you would see if you tucked the handle back into slot (the way it is when top if up). Hook/lever is out....bad for folded top in trunk!
#4 - shows spot where trunk attaches to body (picture from above). Notice how close the top is to the attachment point where the trunk closes. Less than an inch of clearance.
#5 - shows how the hook/lever blocks the trunk attachment point when it sticks out.
If you slam the trunk with the hook out it can get bent and then has trouble mating into the spot in the A-piller (windshield). Could cause trouble locking top or possible leaks at that point.
Get in the habit of double checking before you slam trunk to take a peek at the hook to see if it's clear of trunk locking point
Attached Thumbnails
Check out before buying
Deck lid not flush Deck lid not being 100% flush with the rest of the car when it is closed. The drivers side is raised up a bit and raises up a little more when it is latched on that side. The passenger side is fine. For the rear deck lid, this popped up last week and the person said there was a screw that could be turned that adjusted the lid height. It was suggested to only make quarter turns each time.
Front Hood Rubbing The front hood rubbing the wheel well on the front passenger side. The lines and gaps on the front, the whole car for that matter, are nice and even. The dealer is thinking the best fix is to adjust the plastic wheel well down. I have seen the other post about the front hood rubbing on the wheel wells. Only one post indicated that the fix is to adjust up the hood. The dealer has checked to see if a service bulletin has been issued, he said no. I want to get some input.
Hood doesn't latch well
The passenger side of the hood would not latch down. Fixing the hood latch problem: I posted a few weeks ago about the black plastic screw/bolt things on underside of the hood and how by turning it in or out, you can make the hood latch......but I still had problems and only could get it to latch by turning the thing in so that the hood was too low to line up well with the fender.
FIXED BY: There is a "U" shaped thing that hangs down (it has a flat bottom on the "U") I unscrewed it from the underside of the hood (the nuts are welded in place and won"t fall down).....then I put a washer on each bolt and screwed it back in place. This allowed the "U" thing to be a little lower so it goes into the latching part further and now my hood shuts well and lines up with the fender.
According to the dealer my car was having this issue, but they adjusted the hood for me before I arrived so it would close correctly. Took them less then 5 minutes to fix.
Water leaks
Check deck seal: mine needed a new deck seal—put on by dealer.
Check door windows: Problem area is on the driver's door, near the front, pretty much below the mirror. In this area, two different strips of window sealing material come together. When the driver's side window is raised, the end of the forward sealing strip gets pushed up out of the door by the motion of the window. Alternately, when the window is lowered, the end of this seal gets pulled down inside the door so that it is under the door panel. It does not happen on the passenger side, the sealing strip seems to stay where it should on that side.
Check for water leaks along the windshield. Ensure the latch is not bent from closing the back deck on it.
Driving Issues
2nd Gear Not Synching
Between about 15-20 mph and between about 2k-3k rpms. If those conditions aren't met, 2nd is silky smooth. Else I have to either double clutch or wait for the rpms to drop. Now I just need to train myself to avoid shifting in those ranges.
Engine Running After Turning Off
It seems to only happen when the car is cold and if I start it then shut it off right away.
Service Airbag Alert
The "Service Airbag" alert came on. When you stop and turn the car off, this apparently causes the Anti-Theft system to not deactivate. Result is the car will not start. Doesn't lose power, just won't start. Let is sit for about an hour and then it will start up again. Dealer first said it was a faulty ignition and replaced it, but it happened again afterwards.
The Drive Train Clunk
Information on Driveline Clunk Noise When Shifting Gears At Low Speeds
A Pontiac Solstice equipped with a manual transmission may exhibit a clunk noise when shifting gears at low speeds. The noise may be present during low speed driving maneuvers, such as driving in stop-and-go traffic or in parking lots, which require declutching and shifting.
Some amount of driveline clunk is normal due to the design characteristics of the driveline system. While some owners may find the clunk noise objectionable, it will not adversely affect durability or performance.
Whenever there are two or more gears interacting with one another, there must be a certain amount of clearance between those gears in order for the gears to operate properly. This clearance can translate into a clunk noise whenever the gears are loaded and unloaded quickly. Comments of driveline clunk are usually not the result of one individual component, but the result of clearance present in all of the driveline components.
Because all components in the driveline have a certain amount of clearance by design, changing driveline components may not result in a satisfactory noise reduction.
ECOTEC Computer Problems Should you flat line ...tell the technician to look at GM LAN 2501 and PIN #20. If a dealer is having a problem diagnosing this in the future, suggest that he put an analog ohm meter on the ALDL (diagnostic) connector and work his way up the GMLAN line. Move/wiggle (seat/reseat) each connector on the boxes down the line and watch the meter for movement (analog meter works better for this as it may be missed on a digital one). The order of the ECUs from the ALDL connector are 1. IBCM (BCM), 2. ONSTAR (if equipped), 3. ABS (if equipped), 4. TCM (if equipped), and 5. ECM.
Leaves—ensure radiator is clear of obstruction or it will overheat
Rear End Leak Noticed a small leak on the driver's side of the rear end. He checked the rear end and the fluid levels are still okay. My dealer is going to order a Pinion seal.
Shock Failure two shocks faiedl. The dealer inspected and ordered two to replace them. They were leaking the fluid all over. It was my front left and right rear.
Problem Reporting to Pontiac Process
As issues pop up that appear to be a product condition and not a design issue or driver education issue, request that your dealership's service department send in a VME Field Product Report. This will help Pontiac and GM become aware of issues quicker, so they can respond quicker. Dealerships can find the most revised information about submitting these reports in a September 2005 TSB.
Here is the wording of GM's request, so no one thinks that this might be improper post of info, or feel bad about asking their dealerships to do it.
Dealers play a key role in reporting product issues via Field Product Reporting. The information proves to be extremely important to the product problem resolution process. This bulletin will offer information on how to submit a VME Field Product Report (for US dealers only) or an electronic Product Information Report (for Canadian dealers only).
Submitting a Product Report
You should submit a product report anytime you encounter a product condition (i.e. repetitive conditions, PDI concerns, quality issues, etc.). Rapid communication of your concerns is important and contributes to quick product resolutions. Listed below are some other guidelines on when to submit a report:
Great to see another bama sol delivered!!!!!! Hoping mine will be in February or March!!
__________________
Another famous REDHEAD "LUCY" .......Agressive/Ebony/All pkg/Monsoon/Chrome,no XM or Onstar
1100 Pre Order Accepted 11/11/05
Received VIN 7150 Ready to ship 12/15/05
Picked up at dealership 01/10-06
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pontiac builds excitement... Saturn has rethought it's image...
The time has come for the enthusiasts... NASSOA(TM)
Founding Member-Vendor and Marketing Coordinator ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[quote=barry.morton]Just informed that my Sly (bare-bones+AC) shipped 11/26 heading home to Montgomery, AL. I sent this to my dealer today--sort of a checklist I'll use before assuming ownership (thanks to you all). Any other issues I need to be aware of?
--------------------
Wow!
Thanks, Barry!
Have copied your (my, heh! heh! heh!) excellent checklist which will accompany me to the dealer when I attempt to take delivery of my alleged vehicle. You are to be commended for this valuable tool and are hereby recommended for the seven something or other salute to be designed by Gizmo at his earliest convenience. Joking aside, this will truly be a big help to many and I'm sure will be recognized as an item worthy of "sticking" around here by those who make such judgements. I had thought about jotting down a short list to take along but yours takes it to a level that will at best need only the odd tweekery as time goes by to keep it fresh. This is a fine young post! Gizmo, your move!
Location: The avatar shows my motivation to work .... Work takes place in Houston, Republic of Texas .... Motivation takes place in CA, NV, UT, CO and similar locations.
GREAT post, barry, if that is your real name!
I'm glad no one used the quote button on your post.
I printed out your post AND I bookmarked it in My Favorites. That's how important that checklist is.
You've done a great service for the Forum. Is this a STICKY?
OOPS, almost forgot that very important (and famous)
SGhS (Seven Grouphug Salute)
from all of us!
.
__________________
Her name is MariSOL
VIN 6Y101319, delivered 10/15/05. 72,541 miles.
because the ground clearance is soooooo low check paint under extreme front "bottom of nose"..... mine came with a buncha 6 inch scrapes - like if someone pulled in too far - up to curb/parking thingy and scrunched..!!! not noticeable until i got it home.......(((( don't pull alllllllll the way into a parking spot )))))))
Good to see my home town get a Sol 
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