Does GM Only Hire Engineers Who Squeak By In College?

waumo1 · July 6, 2015

What amazes me is that through several generations of vehicles GM still cannot program a cruise control that maintains speed even half decent. The vacuum controlled, mechanical governed cruise in my 69 Grand Prix still maintains speed much better than any of ones that I have owned in GM vehicles since then. I'd like to say the cruise controls in our SRTs work perfectly but I'd get flamed to ashes here if I did.

1997SierraSLT · July 7, 2015

As an engineer, one of the issues is what seems to be a never ending reinventing of the wheel. While the Japanese tend to continuously refine an already reliable platform.

TJay74 · July 7, 2015

Ok, a rhetorical question I must admit, but think about it. Twenty plus years of:

1. Crappy transmission programming

2. Daytime running lamps that operate on one side only. My daughter (7) plays a game to identify all of the GMC and Chevrolet trucks with burnt out DRLs (usually one light only). Low and behold, the engineers cannot even get the LED string DRLs to operate consistently. I have noticed ALOT of GM vehicles with one side of the LED DRLs not working.

3. Vibration issues

4. Oil consumption issues (need I say more...AFM should be renamed AFU)

5. Poor headlights. My vehicle required the BCM reprogram and new headlights.

6. Poor radio reception. XM works about 40% of the time in my truck and significantly degraded compared to my last truck.

Anymore that I missed? By the way, I lemon lawed my last truck due to piston slap and left GM for 15 years. I have seen some posts concerning piston slap, but in general it does not appear to be as prevalent.

1. As said the vast majority of the 6L80E/8L90E transmissions are fine. They all shift like crud because all of your old whiney senior citizens complained over the years about how firm the old 700R4 transmission shifted, then they complained about how abrupt the torque converter clutch locked in. So now GM and all of the other manufactures program the transmission to shift like it has a pallet of eggs stacked up in the bed by reducing torque on the shift and slipping the TCC into lock up.

Change is caused by the actions and voices of those who make enough noise to be heard and sadly the manufacture now makes the vehicle to conform to those voices instead of the ones who were OK with the product performance from before. Personally my truck shifter fine but also like crap because I didn't like the smooth shifts or the TCC that slipped into lock up. I fixed it myself by reprogramming my TCM controller.

2. DRL issues can be caused by all sorts of issues, heck I would say a huge bunch of them are issues caused by owners who go out and try to mod the lighting system, but as said it can also be caused by parts outside of GM's control.

3. See above, GM doesn't build every part on the truck nor does one person build the entire truck from the ground up, most issues on this forum affect less than 5% of the total sales of all of the 2014 trucks.

4. AFM works perfectly fine on the truck and doesn't even use an oil on the LT1 engine the K2xx use. My only gripe is GM should do like Dodge and some of the other manufactures do and program the AFM to be able to be turned off in the menu by the end user if they choose.

5. I had a direct hand in some of the head lights issues in that I was directly dealing with the lighting engineer. The original OEM lights meet all DOT lighting output requirements, and while GM did go in and make a software change and a bulb to change to improve the lights and increase the output almost 40% they didn't have to at all. You can blame the DOT and the other .gov bodies. WE have such useless and stupid laws here in regards to lights and are so far behind the technology that other countries are using right now.

Some of the other manufactures are using laser lighting and LED lighting system that put out so much more light and more white light, but until the DTO changes the archaic laws we will never see them here from a OEM.

6. This one I have in depth knowledge of since I was the one that opened the case with GM on the radio reception, to this day I am still working with GM on it along with the Chief Engineer over the entire truck/SUV line at GM. This is a radio manufacture issue pure and simple that GM's hands are tied on until the supplier gets it sorted out. GM knows about it and is trying to get it fixed using the wiring and equipment that is currently in the truck, it just wont work out any other way as it isn't like you can rip the system out and replace it at this point.

Ford is not immune to this part either, my wifes 2011 Lincoln MKX had the first year Microsoft Sync system in it, never worked and was always locking up which then took out here NAV, Radio, Cell phone and HVAC system since they all run thru the entertainment module. I almost lemon lawed the car and then Ford came out with an update that for the most part for the system 98% of the way there, it takes time to be on the cutting edge. More so when people demand the newest and best technological stuff on the market each time.

TJay74 · July 7, 2015

What amazes me is that through several generations of vehicles GM still cannot program a cruise control that maintains speed even half decent. The vacuum controlled, mechanical governed cruise in my 69 Grand Prix still maintains speed much better than any of ones that I have owned in GM vehicles since then. I'd like to say the cruise controls in our SRTs work perfectly but I'd get flamed to ashes here if I did.

I don't get this at all, my cruise on my 2014 truck works just fine. So dad all of my other previous GM cars

2010 Sierra CC All Terrain

2008 Corvette

2001 Silverado CC 4x4

2009 G8 GXP

2008 Trailblazer SS

2006 GTO

2001 Firebird Formula

1989 Firebird Formula 350

Sounds like you are expecting it do something that it isn't supposed to do???

j-ten-ner · July 7, 2015

As an engineer, one of the issues is what seems to be a never ending reinventing of the wheel. While the Japanese tend to continuously refine an already reliable platform.

I don't know about the Japanese.

But the thing with reinventing the wheel...that's exactly what it feels like.

If they would just offer a manual trans for all engines and body styles, I think I'd go back to that.

so long

j-ten-ner

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · July 7, 2015

Ok, a rhetorical question I must admit, but think about it. Twenty plus years of:

1. Crappy transmission programming

2. Daytime running lamps that operate on one side only. My daughter (7) plays a game to identify all of the GMC and Chevrolet trucks with burnt out DRLs (usually one light only). Low and behold, the engineers cannot even get the LED string DRLs to operate consistently. I have noticed ALOT of GM vehicles with one side of the LED DRLs not working.

3. Vibration issues

4. Oil consumption issues (need I say more...AFM should be renamed AFU)

5. Poor headlights. My vehicle required the BCM reprogram and new headlights.

6. Poor radio reception. XM works about 40% of the time in my truck and significantly degraded compared to my last truck.

Anymore that I missed? By the way, I lemon lawed my last truck due to piston slap and left GM for 15 years. I have seen some posts concerning piston slap, but in general it does not appear to be as prevalent.

My trans shifts and works great. The only time it didn't was when it was in learn mode the first couple thousand miles, then it cleared up to perfect.

This is my first truck built after 2000, but haven't had any issues with the DRLs. My 98 had DRLs and the time I had it ('04-'14) I never had to change a bulb up front, it was just taillights which isn't a big deal because it takes 5 minutes. The poor headlights are only the Sierra and it's been fixed. My Silverado headlights are great and I don't even have the projector ones.

I haven't had any vibration issues. Rides like a Cadi since the day I got it. Of course you'll see problems on a forum since it's where a lot of people go to for help. I believe roughly 1/2 Million (guesstimate) of these new K2 trucks have been sold and not even 1% are even on forums. So looking on forums make it seem like most of these are having problems with it's way less than 1%. Should it be as many with vibration issues? Nope, but it's not as much of the percentage as it looks like.

The XM reception could be better, but it doesn't cut out that much. You have to remember it depends on what stations you listen to and where you are in the country. XM is Satellite and XM stations are spread across the US. Usually mine only goes out if I'm right beside a tall building, other than that it's fine.

Just so you know GM isn't the only one with problems. Dodge haven't built a transmission that can last in the last couple decades or more. Know the Ford 6.0 Powerstroke? Ya it's a total POS completely, not even diehard Ford people like it and will talk sh*t about it. GM has made mistake sure, but so has every other manufacturer. Do you not realize that there are A LOT of suppliers for these vehicles? It's hard to do quality control on every single thing. GM relies on the 3rd party companies for quality control. GM also isn't the only one with recalls, I believe Ford has the most recalls in and biggest recall.

Oh and if it wasn't for people having short attention spans these days and getting tired of designed after only 2-3 years then it wouldn't have to always making these better when they don't have time to. Things should always get better of course, but that takes time for the little details but nobody has patients to wait for a better version. God forbid any vehicle look the same after 5 years. Remember the days right when I was a kid and before I was born (30 right now)? A lot of times the same design would last for a decade (especially when it came to trucks) and only update interior and engines/drivetrains while keeping the outside the same with maybe minor changes. Now it seems like GM may be retouching the exterior on the K@ trucks when it's only been out since the '14 model year and it's only mid '15.

waumo1 · July 7, 2015

I don't get this at all, my cruise on my 2014 truck works just fine. So dad all of my other previous GM cars

2010 Sierra CC All Terrain

2008 Corvette

2001 Silverado CC 4x4

2009 G8 GXP

2008 Trailblazer SS

2006 GTO

2001 Firebird Formula

1989 Firebird Formula 350

Sounds like you are expecting it do something that it isn't supposed to do???

I expect it to hold the setpoint within a couple of MPH except on extreme grades. None of them have done that. My 2011 on a hill loses to -5 MPH or more then pours on throttle and overshoots the setpoint by +5 MPH or more and doesn't even start to back off until it hits the setpoint. This is just bad programming. I learned better than that in Control Systems 101. The SRTs maintain speed +/- 1 MPH except on the most extreme grades. Not difficult.

15GMCSierra · July 7, 2015

It appears a struck a nerve for a few folks. So, here is some background:

Owned or kids owned:

2015 GMC Sierra (Headllight issue, poor shifting and bad radio reception)

2012 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4WD 5.7L (not a single issue)

2010 Toyota Highlander V6 (not a single issue) - 75000 miles

2008 Ford Taurus (not a single issue) - 114000 miles

2005 Honda Pilot V6 (not a single issue) - 138000 miles

2003 Ford Mustang V6 (Junk - Poor quality construction) -

2001 VW Passat 1.8T (Not a single issue) - 118000 miles

2001 Chevrolet 2500HD 6.0L 4WD (Lemon lawed Piston Slap - Confirmed cylinder damage in 2 cylinders - GM stated normal operation) - 33000 miles

1995 Chevrolet 1500 2WD 5.0L (Traded for 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD due to bucking issue) - 54000 miles

1995 Ford Taurus V6 (not a single issue) - 113000 miles

1991 Ford Taurus V6 (not a single issue) - 77000 miles

1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera V6 (Peeling paint - GM refused to acknowledge problem) - 57000 miles

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · July 7, 2015

What amazes me is that through several generations of vehicles GM still cannot program a cruise control that maintains speed even half decent. The vacuum controlled, mechanical governed cruise in my 69 Grand Prix still maintains speed much better than any of ones that I have owned in GM vehicles since then. I'd like to say the cruise controls in our SRTs work perfectly but I'd get flamed to ashes here if I did.

I don't get this at all, my cruise on my 2014 truck works just fine. So dad all of my other previous GM cars

2010 Sierra CC All Terrain

2008 Corvette

2001 Silverado CC 4x4

2009 G8 GXP

2008 Trailblazer SS

2006 GTO

2001 Firebird Formula

1989 Firebird Formula 350

Sounds like you are expecting it do something that it isn't supposed to do???

I expect it to hold the setpoint within a couple of MPH except on extreme grades. None of them have done that. My 2011 on a hill loses to -5 MPH or more then pours on throttle and overshoots the setpoint by +5 MPH or more and doesn't even start to back off until it hits the setpoint. This is just bad programming. I learned better than that in Control Systems 101. The SRTs maintain speed +/- 1 MPH except on the most extreme grades. Not difficult.

My 98 Silverado seemed to hold speed about right. The only time it didn't was while going down a hill but then it would start to slow it down. I figured it was in case there was also an uphill right after so it had good enough speed to balance out. My '14 holds speed damn near perfect and I live around a lot of hills both right around my house and the country around my town. I haven't heard anybody else complain about the cruise not holding speed like it should.

I mean cruise control is a luxury so it's better than nothing. Don't like how it works, don't use it.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · July 7, 2015

It appears a struck a nerve for a few folks. So, here is some background:

Owned or kids owned:

2015 GMC Sierra (Headllight issue, poor shifting and bad radio reception)

2012 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4WD 5.7L (not a single issue)

2010 Toyota Highlander V6 (not a single issue)

2008 Ford Taurus (not a single issue)

2005 Honda Pilot V6 (not a single issue)

2003 Ford Mustang V6 (Junk - Poor quality construction)

2001 VW Passat 1.8T (Not a single issue)

2001 Chevrolet 2500HD 6.0L 4WD (Lemon lawed Piston Slap - Confirmed cylinder damage in 2 cylinders - GM stated normal operation)

1995 Chevrolet 1500 2WD 5.0L (Traded for 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD due to bucking issue)

1995 Ford Taurus V6 (not a single issue)

1991 Ford Taurus V6 (not a single issue)

1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera V6 (Peeling paint - GM refused to acknowledge problem)

My 86 Chevy Custom Deluxe was dependable as can be.

Then my 98 Silverado I put it through a lot of hell and I'm surprised nothing more went wrong. It was all self induced so not going to blame GM

My '14 has been perfect. I'll state again that the only issue was the trans, but it was in learn mode and started doing perfect after about 2,000 miles.

My mom's 06 Impala hasn't given her any problems.

My best friend had an '01 Jimmy and it was a great vehicle, put a lot of miles on it. Doesn't have it today only because it got totaled. He now has an '06 Sierra and it hasn't given any problems. Him and his wife also have an '03 Mustang V6 like you had, but no problems with it.

Too be honest, if you've had so much bad luck with GM vehicles why did you get yet another one? An SLT at that. Just curious.

TJay74 · July 7, 2015

^^^^^^

Exactly, my truck stays with in 1mph of the set point going down hill or up hill, if your truck isn't then take it to the dealer.

Even more funny since you show to have a 2011 truck and are bitching about things on the 2014+ forums.

15GMCSierra · July 7, 2015

My 86 Chevy Custom Deluxe was dependable as can be.

Then my 98 Silverado I put it through a lot of hell and I'm surprised nothing more went wrong. It was all self induced so not going to blame GM

My '14 has been perfect. I'll state again that the only issue was the trans, but it was in learn mode and started doing perfect after about 2,000 miles.

My mom's 06 Impala hasn't given her any problems.

My best friend had an '01 Jimmy and it was a great vehicle, put a lot of miles on it. Doesn't have it today only because it got totaled. He now has an '06 Sierra and it hasn't given any problems. Him and his wife also have an '03 Mustang V6 like you had, but no problems with it.

Too be honest, if you've had so much bad luck with GM vehicles why did you get yet another one? An SLT at that. Just curious.

I thought most of the issues had been worked out. I waited until the new design engine was released to correct the AFM oil consumption problem. I test drove a Silverado with 3.73 rear end and the issues I am having did not appear to be there, but you know how short test drives can be. I would have gone back to a Tundra but they do not make a 6.5' bed in Crew cab. Ford and Dodge could not locate one in a 3 state region configured the way that I wanted it. GMC/Chevrolet had some killer deals last month. However, I like my new truck and it is a keeper if the transmission issue can be resolved.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · July 7, 2015

I thought most of the issues had been worked out. I waited until the new design engine was released to correct the AFM oil consumption problem. I test drove a Silverado with 3.73 rear end and the issues I am having did not appear to be there, but you know how short test drives can be. I would have gone back to a Tundra but they do not make a 6.5' bed in Crew cab. Ford and Dodge could not locate one in a 3 state region configured the way that I wanted it. GMC/Chevrolet had some killer deals last month. However, I like my new truck and it is a keeper if the transmission issue can be resolved.

Well how many miles is on your Sierra? Like I said, mine would shift hard at times and get a little confused but only while in learn mode. A lot of people had the same experience where it wasn't right but after about 2-3,000 miles the trans stopped acting weird. After learn mode it's been shifting smooth as it can be. Now the 8 speeds with the '15 6.2s are a different story. GM seemed to have released it too quick (probably from being under pressure) and doesn't do right.

I know Tundras make good power, but their mileage sucks. I know they don't seem to worry as much as the domestic makers about fuel mileage, but I like that I can get 22-23 mpg with a 5.3 going 75 mph and that's without it going to V4 mode. The only thing I really can't stand that GM did was put a gear as high as 3.08 in some of the trucks. I hate that mine has 3.08s and as soon as I'm able to I will put at least 3.42s in it.

Higgs Boson · July 7, 2015

OP, sucks to be you, bro. My truck is by FAR the best truck I have ever owned. No contest.

TxTruckMan · July 7, 2015

Wrong question.

Why can't GM do better than other OEM's?

so long

j-ten-ner

That's my point. I think they are the best, they have the best product, but nobody is perfect.

Why do Microsoft, Google, and Apple make mistakes with their products? Why do NASA engineers make mistakes? Why do doctors make mistakes? Name one person or company that is perfect.