[SSDan]

Well, I finally broke down and took my car to the dealer with one month left on the basic warranty for the slow crank/no start issue. Up til now the car had never failed to start but at times the starter cranking was so slow I wasn't so sure it would start. This would happen on a fully warmed up engine after the second or third stop (like running errands, going to the bank- etc.)

Well low and behold the car finally did not start right there in the service bay when the service advisor went to start it and move it into the garage. So, I didn't have to convince them it was a problem.

The tech wheeled out the battery charger/tester they are required to use to prove a failed battery. It took an hour to get enough charge back in the battery to get the diagnostics to read. Unbelievably the battery passed the test! The tech said they could not warranty the battery unless the tester spit out a read out that said "failed". I said " you and I both know and witnessed tht the car failed to start". I said I had no desire to leave in a car that I couldn't trust would start. The solution they offered was to keep the car over night and they would force the battery to fail by turning on the lights and leaving them on until the battery was fully dead. That way "wink - wink" the battery would fail and then a replacement battery would be covered in full under warranty.

I left the car with them and drove away in a 2019 four door Silverado - what a big beast that is when you daily drive a Camaro! I picked the car up today with the new battery installed and the assurance that the problem was solved. I'm not so sure as I still suspect the problem also includes starter heat soak. The tech did not agree. He fully believes the problem was a faulty battery. It does crank faster now both cold and warm - so we'll see.

[Red Leader]

It's not just the battery. It's heat soak after the starter gets too hot. I had the same issue and fried the starter so they had to replace the starter. I still get a slow crank after longer drives on warmer days when you try to restart after a short stop, but haven't had a no start yet. So I know that the issue isn't 100% solved, probably a design flaw in the placement of the starter. One of these days I'm going to wrap it with some sort of heat shielding to hopefully prevent the heat soak.

[biker2k]

is it true that the 2016/2017 don't come with any heat shielding on the starter?
I have an 18 and it is fully shielded...

[SSDan]

Originally Posted by Red Leader

It's not just the battery. It's heat soak after the starter gets too hot. I had the same issue and fried the starter so they had to replace the starter. I still get a slow crank after longer drives on warmer days when you try to restart after a short stop, but haven't had a no start yet. So I know that the issue isn't 100% solved, probably a design flaw in the placement of the starter. One of these days I'm going to wrap it with some sort of heat shielding to hopefully prevent the heat soak.

I hear ya! The starter heat shield wrap I ordered earlier this week got here this afternoon. On Monday I am getting all the fluids changed (oil, tranny and rear diff). While its up on the lift I'll get the heat shield wrap put on the starter. It can't hurt to have one on there.

[Calvear0]

I had the starter fried on the 16 ss I had. It was always low crank when I would do errands and it would warm up.

[12camlt]

I had the same starter issue and just had it replaced. I too am only 1 month away from my warranty expiring and decided to purchase a GMEPP warranty for another 5 years. I’m not convinced that I won’t have a ton more issues with the car.

[franksredhot]

12camit, I'm close to expiring too. What's a good price for the extended warranty? And yes, I have the same starter problem since the first year. The dealer couldn't replicate it. I don't believe this is a battery problem. This is the same thing my 1988 mustang used to do. Can't believe dealing with same problem 30 years later!

[SavageSS]

There are multiple reports that adding a good ground to the block resolves this issue.. This is my 16 2SS M6 mid day autocrossing.. https://photos.app.goo.gl/QybLJtccba38VGKX7 I'm going to try to run a new ground. Easy enough, will see if it works

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[12camlt]

Originally Posted by franksredhot

12camit, I'm close to expiring too. What's a good price for the extended warranty? And yes, I have the same starter problem since the first year. The dealer couldn't replicate it. I don't believe this is a battery problem. This is the same thing my 1988 mustang used to do. Can't believe dealing with same problem 30 years later!

I went through James E Black Cadillac
James E. Black Cadillac, Our 59th year!
3929 Admiral Peary Highway
Ebensburg PA 15931
877-472-9550 – Option 1 Sales

They had BY FAR the best deal on the GMPP plan. They were in some cases 1/2 of what other quotes I was getting. I think quotes can vary on existing miles, how much warranty you want, and if you want a deductible or no. Be ready with your VIN and current mileage. All told I paid $1375 for another 5 years 50,000 miles with a $100 deductible. Other dealerships quoted me $2600!!

[SSDan]

If I start having reliability issues with the car after the warranty expires - I'll fix it.
Then I'll sell it and move on. I will not spend money for an extended warranty.

I have a low tolerance for vehicles that become chronic and need constant attention even for a car that I love to drive like this one.

[franksredhot]

$1375 seems like a great price. I know people that buy warranties every time even though they change their cars every couple of years. If you are really going to keep it I would say its worth it.

[karmatourer]

Originally Posted by franksredhot

$1375 seems like a great price. I know people that buy warranties every time even though they change their cars every couple of years. If you are really going to keep it I would say its worth it.

And of course they will refund any unused portion-usually takes GM 2 weeks to do so. I bought from Dennis Fitchner at Menholt Chevrolet in Billings. They are highly recommended on the Corvette Forum. I have purchased 3 through him. Length,w/wo deductible is your choice. 406 896 3082 406 698 6355-cell.

[Need4Camaro]

I wanted to note that even if they leave the lights on, headlights, dome lights, ect...they will automatically go off after so long if the car isn't running, regardless if they're set to auto or not.

[SSDan]

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

I wanted to note that even if they leave the lights on, headlights, dome lights, ect...they will automatically go off after so long if the car isn't running, regardless if they're set to auto or not.

Understood. This was not situation as normal. The tech had his ways to make enough systems stay on over night to force a failed battery as measured by the GM tester. The point is that until that silly battery tester (that GM insists the dealership use for battery warranty issues) printed out a reading on a slip of paper that said "failed" the dealership could not replace the battery under warranty.