Just Bought 2005 Gmc Sierra 1500 Z-71

kinka17 · April 14, 2010

Hey guys, wanted to introduce myself and share my story.

I just got this 2005 Sierra z-71 on Monday. I loved the first 5 hours with my new truck, then my ABS light comes on and took it to my shop.

I'm the manager of a transmission company so I was able to scan and diagnose that I have a Electronic Brakes Control Module problem. My ABS comes on while I come to a stop, usually when I'm at less than 5 mphs. This was obviously annoying because had the truck for less than 5 hours.

So I called the dealership I bought it from the next morning and they told me to bring it in so they could look at it. When I arrived I told them what the problem was. After not hearing from them for 5 hours I called and they said they had to take it to a GMC dealer to get it looked at because the couldn't (it was a toyota dealer). Which is rediculous because could scan it fine. Well the GMC dealer didn't look at it until right when they closed, so they did nothing.

Needless to say, I'm on day 3.... no truck, playing the waiting game with stupid dealerships. They should have just ordered me the EBCM and i would have put it on at my shop in an 30 mins.

Anyhow.. Hello.

jrrod2004 · April 14, 2010

That blows...sorry man

grayghost7 · April 14, 2010

Nice truck! Sorry your having troubles so soon....the Toy dealer should pay for that.

maxf · April 14, 2010

Hey guys, wanted to introduce myself and share my story.

I just got this 2005 Sierra z-71 on Monday. I loved the first 5 hours with my new truck, then my ABS light comes on and took it to my shop.

I'm the manager of a transmission company so I was able to scan and diagnose that I have a Electronic Brakes Control Module problem. My ABS comes on while I come to a stop, usually when I'm at less than 5 mphs. This was obviously annoying because had the truck for less than 5 hours.

So I called the dealership I bought it from the next morning and they told me to bring it in so they could look at it. When I arrived I told them what the problem was. After not hearing from them for 5 hours I called and they said they had to take it to a GMC dealer to get it looked at because the couldn't (it was a toyota dealer). Which is rediculous because could scan it fine. Well the GMC dealer didn't look at it until right when they closed, so they did nothing.

Needless to say, I'm on day 3.... no truck, playing the waiting game with stupid dealerships. They should have just ordered me the EBCM and i would have put it on at my shop in an 30 mins.

Anyhow.. Hello.

get ready for more bad news,

Document ID# 1986750

2004 Chevrolet Chevy C Silverado - 2WD

Subject:Information on Gradual Coolant Loss Over Time with No Evidence of Leak Found #06-06-01-019B - (06/12/2007)

Models:2004-2006 Buick Rainier

2001-2006 Cadillac Escalade Models

2001-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche, Blazer, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, TrailBlazer Models

2001-2006 GMC Envoy, Jimmy, Sierra, Yukon Models

2001-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada

2005-2006 Saab 9-7X

with 4.8L or 5.3L VORTEC® GEN III, GEN IV V8 Engine (VINs V, T, M, B, Z -- RPOs LR4, LM7, LH6, L33, L59)

This bulletin is being revised to include engine RPO L59. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 06-06-01-019A (Section 06 - Engine/Propulsion System).

Some vehicles may experience a gradual coolant loss over time. A very low percentage of cylinder head(s) manufactured with an embossed Castech logo may develop a porosity crack in a very specific area.

Inspect the cylinder head assembly to determine if the casting was manufactured by Castech. This can be accomplished by inspecting for their casting logo located on top of the intake port, under the rocker arm support rail and in the spring deck cavity portion of the cylinder head.

Important: If the cylinder head(s) are Not a Castech casting, follow normal diagnostic procedures in SI to determine the cause of the coolant loss.

Refer to the following illustrations on how to identify Castech casting and/or the very specific areas of the cylinder head(s) for a coolant leak from porosity.

Cylinder head(s) location of the Castech manufacturing casting logo (1).

Close up view of the cylinder head(s) showing the Castech manufacturing casting logo (1).

If the cylinder head(s) is a Castech casting (1), inspect the area around the five oil drain holes for witness marks indicating coolant seepage over time (2).

Important: If No evidence of coolant loss is found on inspection of Castech casting cylinder head(s), follow normal diagnostic procedures in SI to determine the cause of the coolant loss.

The crack location can be found in any of the five cylinder head(s) oil drains. This can be seen as a clean or shiny area, on an otherwise stained surface (1). Pressurizing the cooling system at this time may reveal coolant, air, or a combination, weeping in the described area. If inspection reveals evidence of coolant witness marks (1), replace the entire cylinder head(s) assembly.

Hope you don't have to experience what I'm going thru right now, it's the shits.

grayghost7 · April 14, 2010

Dang...hope I never get that problem!

KMGZ400 · April 15, 2010

thats blows man... well do you at least like the truck other then this problem?

kinka17 · April 15, 2010

Yeah I love the truck, when I was able to drive it. Of course they just took it from me and shipped it to a GMC dealer. So now i need to wait on them.

They should have just cut me a check for $300 and I could have done it myself!

amtz.zero · April 15, 2010

That's a nice truck and I love the wheels on it.

terrible1one3 · April 15, 2010

Toyota dealerships are pretty busy right now for obvious reasons.

Nice truck, I love the color!

It's amazing how bad certain dealerships are at working on other manufacturers cars. I bought my '02 Corvette from a Used BMW dealer (bought 1-2 year old BMW's and resold them). The car had a squealing from the belt, after 3 or 4 visits they finally replaced the harmonic balancer, after I got it back there was a clunk in the steering... turns out they forgot to tighten the steering intermediate shaft on re-assembly (steering has to be taken out to pull balancer).

I asked them about replacing some door hinges and they told me to take it to a Chevy dealership as they just don't know how to work on GM's. I was miffed by that as I was offering them more business because I liked the dealership and they turned me down. I mean DOOR HINGES! What is so hard about that? lol

Learned my lesson, now I just bend over and take it from the local Chevy dealership but it's always a one trip fix with them which is more important to me.

Jubei69 · April 15, 2010

Welcome, sorry to heat that.

kinka17 · April 15, 2010

They just called me. Turns out that its not the EBCM at all. Its the ABS sensors in the hubs. The problem is they have to replace both front hubs to do it. The GMC dealer they took it too doesn't have them in stock, they needed to order them. Looks like I have one more day without the truck. I better get it before the weekend, I have things to do like wash it and take better pictures of it for you guys.

98 Z71 SLT · April 15, 2010

The problem isn't in the front hubs at all.

The cost to fix your ABS?? Ready?? $0.00

Your ABS sensors are mounted to your front hubs with hex-screws.

Simply remove the hex screws, set your ABS sensor aside, and clean the mounting surface where the sensor bolts into the hub.

That's all. Reassemble, and you're good to go.

what happens to these sensors??

Nothing happens to the sensors. The hub surface gets rusty over time. With rust building up on the hub, a small air-gap is created between the actual sensor and the bearing. So, the sensor sorta "lifts-away" from where it should really be.

Then, with a rusty hub and a "lifted" sensor, the ABS computer gets confused; it's not getting correct signals from the sensor. With the ABS computer confused, it kicks-in ABS when it isn't needed.

Do a search on here...many more threads on this mishap

You bought a great truck by the way...congrats...

mrkleen · April 16, 2010