I've got some seemingly common issues...pleas help?!?

Vinman · 09-27-2007, 05:44 AM

ok..here's a noob askin a few questions im sure someone else has answered before..I just haven't had the time to really go back into the archives...anyway....ok...
1. My abs, trac off, and low coolant lights are on, my coolant level is fine, it used to come on then go away, now its on constantly( I noticed whoever had the car before put the cheap non-gm coolant in there, haven't had time or money to have it flushed. My trac control doesn't work, and my brakes used to make it feel like i was skidding on ice when i came to a stop at low speeds, doesn't do that anymore, but im not sure if the abs works, i haven't been daring enough to test it since this problem arose. Also, my buddy who is a mechanic and has been working on gm's for years, tells me to clean out the connections on the hubs...would this work or do i have to shell out the dough for two new hubs?

2.Also, my tpms isn't working, i had a completely flat tire last week and had no idea until someone at work mentioned it to me..I've been having issues with my tires not holding air, I have two snows from a bmw up front, which are fine, but i have two pirellis in the rear which are almost bald, the two from the front(got rid of those) had plugs in em, not sure about the rear...also I did a stupid thing and put green slime in one of the tires and i think that may have messed up the sensor..at least for that wheel, but my other rear tire went flat and i had no notice of low pressure...i know this doesn't replace actually checking the pressure yourself but it has been pretty accurate

3. I have a metal on metal rubbing sound coming from passenger front wheel, i dont think its brakes, because it happens at all speeds, and even breaking, i don't think its the bearing because it doesn't make the typical humm or the wheel doesn't deflect the way it shouldn't. It sounds as though the dust shield (behind the rotor) is hitting it but i don't think thats it..though i haven't had the time to look and see whats up...

4. And lastly, has anyone had any issues with their fuel door not closing completely? I have the one where you actually have to go over to it and open it when you fill up...when i got the car i think it was fine, but recently the door just doesn't want to go flush with the side of the car...is there something soo stupid and easy that im missing or is it actually complicated?

Ahhh...finally done...if anyone has any suggestions...I would be very grateful...cause after seeing the cars on here, i want to start modding, but i won't till she's fixed...Well now im off to work....thanks again all.....

Vinman · 09-27-2007, 09:17 AM

ok....i just realized i did a stupid noob thing....I apologize for posting this in the wrong thread....it was early this morning.....sorry guys/gals....won't happen agian i swear

Mischief007 · 09-27-2007, 10:15 AM

1. Wheel bearing. It goes with question #3. I don't know about your coolant light since I've never seen that problem.

4. Fuel door. Open and close it rapidly and it should go back to being flush. You might have to slam it shut a couple of times. It is just the hinges. I had that happen with my car and rapidly opening and closing the fuel door fixed it for me.

09-27-2007, 10:31 AM

Wheel bearings have speed sensors in them that cause ABS problems. There's lots of info here so try a search.

Metal on metal could be the tab on your brake pad rubbin on the rotor telling you it's time to take a look. Can you take a wheel off and see how worn the pads are?

No coolent light or fuel door issues here.

zoomie · 09-27-2007, 11:36 AM

Wheel bearings, that's my issue right now. I plan to replace one and post a play by play with pictures.....maybe in a couple of weeks.

01silveralero · 09-27-2007, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinman

ok..here's a noob askin a few questions im sure someone else has answered before..I just haven't had the time to really go back into the archives...anyway....ok...
1. My abs, trac off, and low coolant lights are on, my coolant level is fine, it used to come on then go away, now its on constantly( I noticed whoever had the car before put the cheap non-gm coolant in there, haven't had time or money to have it flushed. My trac control doesn't work, and my brakes used to make it feel like i was skidding on ice when i came to a stop at low speeds, doesn't do that anymore, but im not sure if the abs works, i haven't been daring enough to test it since this problem arose. Also, my buddy who is a mechanic and has been working on gm's for years, tells me to clean out the connections on the hubs...would this work or do i have to shell out the dough for two new hubs?

2.Also, my tpms isn't working, i had a completely flat tire last week and had no idea until someone at work mentioned it to me..I've been having issues with my tires not holding air, I have two snows from a bmw up front, which are fine, but i have two pirellis in the rear which are almost bald, the two from the front(got rid of those) had plugs in em, not sure about the rear...also I did a stupid thing and put green slime in one of the tires and i think that may have messed up the sensor..at least for that wheel, but my other rear tire went flat and i had no notice of low pressure...i know this doesn't replace actually checking the pressure yourself but it has been pretty accurate

3. I have a metal on metal rubbing sound coming from passenger front wheel, i dont think its brakes, because it happens at all speeds, and even breaking, i don't think its the bearing because it doesn't make the typical humm or the wheel doesn't deflect the way it shouldn't. It sounds as though the dust shield (behind the rotor) is hitting it but i don't think thats it..though i haven't had the time to look and see whats up...

4. And lastly, has anyone had any issues with their fuel door not closing completely? I have the one where you actually have to go over to it and open it when you fill up...when i got the car i think it was fine, but recently the door just doesn't want to go flush with the side of the car...is there something soo stupid and easy that im missing or is it actually complicated?

Ahhh...finally done...if anyone has any suggestions...I would be very grateful...cause after seeing the cars on here, i want to start modding, but i won't till she's fixed...Well now im off to work....thanks again all.....

1. probably just one wheel hub bearing

3. it is your rotors.

Cliff8928 · 09-27-2007, 12:38 PM

If your ABS and Trac off lights are on, your TPMS won't work either.

Vinman · 09-27-2007, 05:47 PM

mischeif007, i tried your little fuel door trick, and i'll be dammed it actually worked! Thanks for that tip...as for the wheel bearing, how much time do i have left before i absolutely need to change it....I mean with nh winter around the corner i'd like to fix it before then, but I don't have 170 to play with for the bearing, could just using some quick dry electric cleaner(carquest brand) work ? or do I have to suck it up and be broke....and not be able to get some new shoes....

Vinman · 09-27-2007, 08:26 PM

and by shoes i mean tires....

AsianAlero · 09-27-2007, 09:38 PM

coolant light is just the senor in the expansion tank thats dirty or what not. so just unplug it and check your coolant from time to time. i unplugged mine.

Mischief007 · 09-27-2007, 10:01 PM

My glad the fuel door trick worked.

My buddy drove on a bad wheel bearing for almost 4 months but that was a Ford Taurus. When mine started making noise, I replaced it right away because I was commuting every day.

arsenal · 09-27-2007, 11:13 PM

nevermind

aPIRATEwithADD · 09-27-2007, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mischief007

My glad the fuel door trick worked.

My buddy drove on a bad wheel bearing for almost 4 months but that was a Ford Taurus. When mine started making noise, I replaced it right away because I was commuting every day.

the ford taurus, worst transmissions known to man. my friends always has shit going wrong with it. I drove for 5 months on my bad wheel bearings...the 2 from were shot, but the car still drove fine.

zoomie · 09-28-2007, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinman

...as for the wheel bearing, how much time do i have left before i absolutely need to change it....I mean with nh winter around the corner i'd like to fix it before then, but I don't have 170 to play with for the bearing, could just using some quick dry electric cleaner(carquest brand) work ? or do I have to suck it up and be broke....and not be able to get some new shoes....

I don't think the brearing is gonna fall apart but you won't have ABS or Tracion control with the lights on. They may be nice to have for the winter.

Vinalero · 09-28-2007, 09:51 AM

Eventully, the bearing will seize, but I suppose that would be after a while. I'd suggest not playing too long with that kind of stuff if they are indeed making noise.

01silveralero · 09-28-2007, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinman

and by shoes i mean tires....

we know our cars are just like people

Vinman · 09-28-2007, 04:54 PM

I haven't really been playing with it too much..the lights have been on for about 2 months i think...luckily my trip to work is less the 10 min away and i never go anywhere...God damn..why do the hub assemblies have to be so darn expensive

01silveralero · 09-28-2007, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinman

I haven't really been playing with it too much..the lights have been on for about 2 months i think...luckily my trip to work is less the 10 min away and i never go anywhere...God damn..why do the hub assemblies have to be so darn expensive

made of gold? errr i mean silver

chomamma · 10-28-2007, 06:58 PM

How do you determine which wheel bearing it is? Is this an assembly or separate parts?

99-alero · 10-28-2007, 07:46 PM

i went a good 5 months on 2 bad wheel bearings on my old alero..but i wouldn't recommend it.when i got them replaced the guys at gm were so shocked that my wheels didn't fly off , cause the bearngs were so bad...take ur chances with it i'd say, i've known ppl who have gone a year with a bad bearing and others who went a week