Problems with 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I guess i'm the lucky one my car seems to have almost every complaint listed. the side air bag continuously tries to escape from it's seat. several months ago my blinkers started to work only as they felt like it, having read consumer complaints, i tried turning on the hazard lights when they wouldn't function, this would remedy the blinker problem for a short time. however, now my blinkers don't work at all and my hazards don't either. about the same time my car began shutting off at various speeds with no warning. then i went about 1 1/2 months with no stalling problems. this week my car has shut off daily making it very difficult to steer, stop and feel safe, especially with no hazards. the car will go to the chevy dealer today, we'll see what they say. i think that it's important to note that when the car shuts down you often don't have enough coasting time to get safely to the side of the road, especially on a 3 or more lane highway.

First i noticed that my dashboard would not light up at night from time to time when i drove at night . sometimes it would not light up upon startup and then light up during the drive . this became more frequent over time . also i experienced that my fog light on the driver's side kept blowing bulbs , about 3 so far , whereas the passenger side bulb is the original one since i brought the car . i spoke with a mechanic i befriended while taking a class and he told me that the problem was the headlamp control switch on the dash to the left of the steering wheel . i went to the dealer and they confirmed this to be true without my assessment i gained from my classmate mechanic who told me how common this problem was and how expensive it is to fix for the chevy monte carlo ss 2001 . do you have similar complaints about this type of problem ? not being able to see your dashboard at night is very annoying as i like to know what my car is doing while driving it . i feel that this problem will grow and become more expensive to fix over time , especially being electrical . sincerely *tr

I have a 2001 monte carlo and have many issues. 1st i have been having a steering issue since 35,000 miles. i makes constant noise when steering and turning. had it fixed twice at my expense. once again started happening. i do not know if this is dangerous. 2nd gas gauge does not work. 3rd the heat/ac intermittent and i noticed when this does not work the panel where it tells you if you are going north, south etc. doesn't work either. also the driver side heated seat does not work anymore. please get back to me. *tr

Turn signals intermittently inoperative. notice hazard switch intermittently inoperative. if you play with hazard switch and get hazard lights to function then turn signals will function. will replace hazard switch as i believe it to be malfunctioning (an intermittent open circuit in switch). *jb

On 4 separate occasions vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating because transmission was slipping. vehicle was serviced 3 times, and is currently at the dealership for this problem. thus far, dealership installed an alternator/transmission/power steering pump, and switch for the lighting in an attempt to correct the failure.*ak

6/2003 - fuel pump replaced. 9/2004 cool pressure test found inter gasket leaking - replaced upper & lower internal gaskets; low cool sensor replaced. 12/2004 - missing on incline and with cruise - nothing found. 11/2005 - missing on accel, using lots of gas - wanted to replace plugs, etc. 2/2006 - missing on incline and cruise - nothing found. 6/2008 - numerous issues - bcm replaced. 7/2008 - after bcm replaced, dash lights , cruise indicator, heat and a/c did not function properly - dealer stated there would be cost to fix items even though they worked prior to replacement of bcm. 9/29/2011 - learned about "special policy adjustment-catalytic converter #05551(9/14/2005)" although i was never advised by dealer and did not receive notification. called dealer to ask if they would check under special policy - dealer said they could not because, although mileage is within special policy guidelines, the time expired 4/2011. i have copies of all service done on this vehicle. can this special policy be honored since i was not notified of the policy by gm or the dealer? the car has always had a problem with missing and using lots of gasoline. thank you for advocating for me. *tr

Second submit - 1st submit no response 10427931 6/2003 - fuel pump replaced. 9/2004 cool pressure test found inter gasket leaking - replaced upper & lower internal gaskets; low cool sensor replaced. 12/2004 - missing on incline and with cruise - nothing found. 11/2005 - missing on accel, using lots of gas - wanted to replace plugs, etc. 2/2006 - missing on incline and cruise - nothing found. 6/2008 - numerous issues - bcm replaced. 7/2008 - after bcm replaced, dash lights , cruise indicator, heat and a/c did not function properly - dealer stated there would be cost to fix items even though they worked prior to replacement of bcm. 9/29/2011 - learned about "special policy adjustment-catalytic converter #05551(9/14/2005)" although i was never advised by dealer and did not receive notification. called dealer to ask if they would check under special policy - dealer said they could not because, although mileage is within special policy guidelines, the time expired 4/2011. i have copies of all service done on this vehicle. can this special policy be honored since i was not notified of the policy by gm or the dealer? the car has always had a problem with missing and using lots of gasoline. thank you for advocating for me. *tr

Series of high cost repairs at my expense with no warranty: driver infomation center has always been wrong and inaccurate and unfixable; at 24446 miles, replaced front rotors at my expense (; ac at 30825 worked intermittenly and battery light indicator stayed on and serpentine belt worn out (replaced with after market brand ($90) that has lasted perfectly at almost 80,000 miles; engine coolant leak notice by chevrolet on july 2003 fixed on 7/30-03 at 58009miles; at 34607 vibration from intermid. steering shaft and bushing replaced ($60); vibration back at 75,000miles and they would not fix it; chev diagnosis on 7/8/04 for left rear wheel speed sensor needs left rear wheel hub assembly (abs brakes will not work and not fixed, $700) and turn signals work intermittenly (not fixed) and ac compressor leaking (not fixed, $900), and driver seat power seat heater defective (not fixed, $230). *ak

My security system has gone on spuradically for years and i have no idea why. i have paid several times x3 for a wrecker serfvices to come and activate my car so it would run. also as i have learned about recalls recntly i had to replace the upper gasget manifold due to it leaking oil due to a plastic gasket instead of a rubber gasket. this ran me more than 900 dollars. i have never received a recall notice for any defect/recall on my monte despite buying it new in 10/2002. please send me directly any recalls on my vehicle that have occurred. thx *tr

Voltage drops off to 10 volts & headlights flicker. alternator was replaced but did not fix the problem, has been @ 3 different dealerships 6 separate times. they can`t find the problem. 1500 miles to go before the car is out of warranty. *jb

Replaced power steering pump, r/r transmission, replaced alternator and low tire pressure. vehicle was damage while in service shop. *bf the vehicle had malfunctioning signal lights. the consumer stated that the engine was repaired for a coolant leak. the engine light came on. the steering wheel was set to the left. clock not set. windshield washer light came on. the consumer stated that the left finder was damaged as well as the console. the right bumper was damaged. the driver door shakes. a whinning noise is heard from the vehicle at highway speeds and while turning. the consumer witnessed the service dealer testing his vehicle and saw shifting foward very hard and back very hard tires screaching. smoke coming from the tires. the tail pipes were shaking as well as the rear end. the consumer stated that the time was used up on the vehicle onstar cell phone. the consumer stated that the headlights will not turn off. smoke came from the vents inside the vehicle. the consumer stated that something bumps the door while the vehicle is in motion. the steering wheel shakes when brakes are applied. *tc

Consumer called complaining about electrical system problems. stated that consumer was in the vehicle and that the door will not unlock/ windows will not come down. manufacturer was contacted, and stated that they have no other complains on this vehicle. *ak

Turn signals will not work when windshield wipers are operating. *nlm

When driving, headlights and dashboard lights (speedometer, etc) will go out, warning lights will light up. at other times, after turning off ignition, the headlights and/or dome lights will stay on. vehicle will not start, unless battery cable is removed and reconnected. dealership was of no help, said i would be charged to determine the cause of the problem, as it is no longer under warranty. this is a safety issue, because the headlights will go out, while driving, causing visibility to be nil.*ak

Since purchase of car with 34,000 miles in march of 2002, there have been several problems. check engine light came on around 50,000 miles, had it checked was given the code for temperature sensor. had sensor changed, within six months light came on again. when checked was given same code for temperature sensor so i had it replaced a second time. now periodically while driving the temperature gauge will drop completely and when turning off the ignition the fan will continue to run. the only way to stop the fan is to either unplug the fan or unhook the battery. randomly when trying to start the car it will not start as if the battery is dead, but the radio and all lights still work. had this checked but no problems could be found. after waiting for about ten minutes the car will start. the only explanation i was given was that maybe the computer system thinks i am attempting to steal my own car. then there are the turn signals, when you turn on the signal it will work for a few seconds then stop. the only way i have found to make them work again is to turn on the hazard flashers for a few seconds then turn on the signal again. there have been so many problems with this vehicle and with no warranty left it is rather costly and frustrating. *jb

Horn is very hard to locate on steering wheel in the event of an emergency. please give any further details.*ak

The turn signals work when they want to, the oil pressure gauge works when it wants to, the sun roof opens if it wants to. it has been to the dealer on this and they say they can't duplicate the failure. these systems don't work more than do work. this has been happening since the car was purchased in 2001. if you can't help i guess i will have to pay now to have it fixed when it should have been fixed under warranty. *nm

I have had numerous problems with my 01' chevrolet monte carlo ss. the car will idle between 1200 and 3300 rpms intermittently while driving and in park. this problem makes this vehicle very hard to control, slow down and stop. my fuel mileage has been affected, i have had to replace my brakes, and my confidence in this vehicle is gone. my wife and i feel very uncomfortable driving this car because we never know when it is going to act up, and when it does, the safety of us and all those around us is in jepordy. i have towed this vehicle to the dealer over 8 times, for this problem. i have had numberous this replace, but the problem keeps coming back. i have attempted a gm buy back and also a lemon law and gm refused to do anything about it. i no longer want to waste my time and money on a car that may soon harm someone or myself!!! *ak

The vehicle experienced the following: stalled when cold and upon hard acceleration, the key stuck in the ignition, suspension and brake problems(rod kit was installed/no brakes), the transmission had gone out(repaired), the vehicle hesitated and jumped from park gear to drive, and after the ignition repairs, the vehicle stalled and hesitated in shifting to gear. the consumer requested the dealer to repurchase the vehicle, and reimburse for the repair(s), and the rental. mr scc *jb

Vehicle was parked for 1.5 hours when a fire started under the hood. bystanders reported horn and headlights were activated before fire started.vehicle was totalled. insurance investigator determined fire was caused by an electrical defect, chevrolet representative inspected vehicle as well, but has not gotten back with consumer on the findings.*ak

The consumer felt the overall design including the engine, transmission, and the brakes were seriously flawed. the vehicle was properly repaired by the dealer. on two occasions, the ignition had gotten stuck, the engine lost oil, and the dipstick cylinder had loosened. the consumer requested a refund. gm did not agree with the above comment, and stated the dealer handled the situation properly. (model ss) mr scc *jb

Starter hang-up: i purchased a 2001 monte carlo ls in may 2001 and sometime during the first week of having this vehicle i noticed that there was some type of starter hang-up, whenever i try to start the car, the starter return spring is not making the clutch assembly return, it hangs up and cause the car to make a noise as if you have started your car with the engine running. the number of times this has happen is to many to count. *jb

Consumer states there are 2 small imprints in the center of steering wheel that he has to take his eyes off road to find in the event of blowing horn. *slc