blhughes24
New Member
I was lucky enough to locate this web site just yesterday in frustration from what looks to me like a MAJOR GM malfunction on our Av?s. I have an ?02 (purchased used w/ 30K miles) and I now have over 52K miles on it. Approximately 3 months or so ago, I experienced my 1st Service 4WD message. It just came out of the blue. Once I parked the vehicle, shut her down, went into work, and 8 hours later, when I started it up, I had no ?mode? lights indicating what I was actually in (2H, 4H, 4L) along w/ the Service 4 WD message. During very slow speeds I could feel the front end ?4WD chatter? (if you will) when making a turn. It?s to the point now, where it?s an adventure EVERY time I turn the ignition to the RUN position. Due to experiencing this problem for as long as I have now, my symptoms seem to have changed JUST a bit.
Before going any further, I need to add that I have the Hypertec Power Programmer III. I can read & clear the DTC?s (however w/ this problem, not 100% of the time), and discovered the code of C0327. I called a local Chevy Dealer and asked if they would look up the error code for me. I was told that the C0327 error code indicates that the Encoder Motor had an internal fault and I needed to have it replaced. When I asked what the part was going to cost, I almost lost it. I believe at the time it was approx $530 for the EM alone, not including any labor charges. I?m well out of the warranty and this is going to be on me ?initially?. Here?s where the only difference is from what I?ve read so far on these threads.
At times the vehicle seems perfectly normal. When starting the truck the drivetrain mode LED?s ALL light up for a few sec?s, and ultimately the 2WD button illuminates properly, & NO Service 4WD message appears. However, at ANY time the Service 4WD message will just appear w/ no apparent problems UNTIL the truck is turned off. That?s where my ?adventures? usually begin.
If I shut it off, leave it off for at least 30 or more seconds, then re-start the truck, at times the 2WD button will light (normal), and NO Serevice Msg. Then the next time I may get the 2WD 'normal' indication, but I?ll still get the Service 4WD Msg in spite of it feeling likes it?s driving normally in 2WD. Then the next time I start the truck, I may end up w/ the ?mode? lights giving a quick flash, and then no LED's & no indication of what mode she?s in. Of course then the Service 4WD Msg once again appears. This is the condition when I don?t know what mode I?m in, and I can feel the front end acting as though it is in 4WD. Then the next time when I start it up, the drive mode indicator lights may act normal, (quick flash of all the LED?s) & then 2WD is lit continuously. I may drive for days, or even weeks before it acts up again. (Service 4WD) Then again, one symptom or another as I?ve explained may happen every time I start the truck. This is so frustrating. The last thing I want to do is replace the Encoder Motor (as suggested by the Chevy Dealer) and experience the very same problem later on. Being an electrical part, I figure it?s not returnable and I?d be out over $550 or more. There?s NO way I?ll accept that the motor is bad. Motors just don?t fix themselves. It has to be something controlling the motor, but the bottom line is, WHAT? If there is any new information out there that can help, please point me in the right direction. From what I?ve read, it looks to me like the problem has been happening from the on set of the Avalanche and still continues on 2005 models now as well. How in the world can GM/Chevy allow a known problem to exist for such a long time?
Before going any further, I need to add that I have the Hypertec Power Programmer III. I can read & clear the DTC?s (however w/ this problem, not 100% of the time), and discovered the code of C0327. I called a local Chevy Dealer and asked if they would look up the error code for me. I was told that the C0327 error code indicates that the Encoder Motor had an internal fault and I needed to have it replaced. When I asked what the part was going to cost, I almost lost it. I believe at the time it was approx $530 for the EM alone, not including any labor charges. I?m well out of the warranty and this is going to be on me ?initially?. Here?s where the only difference is from what I?ve read so far on these threads.
At times the vehicle seems perfectly normal. When starting the truck the drivetrain mode LED?s ALL light up for a few sec?s, and ultimately the 2WD button illuminates properly, & NO Service 4WD message appears. However, at ANY time the Service 4WD message will just appear w/ no apparent problems UNTIL the truck is turned off. That?s where my ?adventures? usually begin.
If I shut it off, leave it off for at least 30 or more seconds, then re-start the truck, at times the 2WD button will light (normal), and NO Serevice Msg. Then the next time I may get the 2WD 'normal' indication, but I?ll still get the Service 4WD Msg in spite of it feeling likes it?s driving normally in 2WD. Then the next time I start the truck, I may end up w/ the ?mode? lights giving a quick flash, and then no LED's & no indication of what mode she?s in. Of course then the Service 4WD Msg once again appears. This is the condition when I don?t know what mode I?m in, and I can feel the front end acting as though it is in 4WD. Then the next time when I start it up, the drive mode indicator lights may act normal, (quick flash of all the LED?s) & then 2WD is lit continuously. I may drive for days, or even weeks before it acts up again. (Service 4WD) Then again, one symptom or another as I?ve explained may happen every time I start the truck. This is so frustrating. The last thing I want to do is replace the Encoder Motor (as suggested by the Chevy Dealer) and experience the very same problem later on. Being an electrical part, I figure it?s not returnable and I?d be out over $550 or more. There?s NO way I?ll accept that the motor is bad. Motors just don?t fix themselves. It has to be something controlling the motor, but the bottom line is, WHAT? If there is any new information out there that can help, please point me in the right direction. From what I?ve read, it looks to me like the problem has been happening from the on set of the Avalanche and still continues on 2005 models now as well. How in the world can GM/Chevy allow a known problem to exist for such a long time?