Bruce Nunnally Posted August 30, 2008 Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp is recalling 857,735 vehicles equipped with a heated windshield wiper fluid system for a potential short-circuit problem, according to federal safety regulators. Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted August 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 Make / Models : Model/Build Years: BUICK / ENCLAVE 2008 BUICK / LUCERNE 2006-2008 CADILLAC / DTS 2006-2008 CADILLAC / ESCALADE 2007-2008 CADILLAC / ESCALADE ESV 2007-2008 CADILLAC / ESCALADE EXT 2007-2008 CHEVROLET / AVALANCHE 2007-2008 CHEVROLET / SILVERADO 2007-2008 CHEVROLET / SUBURBAN 2007-2008 CHEVROLET / TAHOE 2007-2008 GMC / ACADIA 2007-2008 GMC / SIERRA 2007-2008 GMC / YUKON 2007-2008 GMC / YUKON XL 2007-2008 HUMMER / H2 2006-2008 SATURN / OUTLOOK 2007-2008 Recall Number: 08V441000 Summary: GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE. Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR AT MYGMLINK, HTTP://WWW.GM.COM/RECALL. Notes: GM RECALL NO. 08048. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION;S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV. Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted October 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 autonews: (sub req) DETROIT -- General Motors has ceased equipping its vehicles with a hot-spray windshield washer system that prompted a recall of 944,000 cars and trucks in late August. Deborah Silverman, spokesman for GM, said today GM has stopped using the system manufactured by Microheat Inc. of suburban Detroit. GM contends Microheat was responsible for the malfunction, but Microheat disputed that finding, she said. GM awarded the business in 2004. As a result of the dispute, Microheat Inc. -- a once promising automotive technology company -- ceased most production and terminated the bulk of its workers at its headquarters, according to three sources with knowledge of the situation. Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Jim Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 Yeah... mine is included in the recall. Got the letter a couple of weeks ago. Waiting on them to get the parts to fix it. I really hate it, that they discontinued the heated wiper fluid on new cars. I really liked it. The HOT WASHER FLUID cleans bugs from the windshield a LOT better than just using the regular washers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted October 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 Yes, I think it is a good idea. Without knowing the details, my guess is that GM and the supplier disagreed over who had liability for the recall. Probably their agreement says the supplier does, but the supplier can't afford the cost. It occurs to me that the Intellectual Property might be available inexpensively, the short-circuit problem fixed, and the product put back into production. Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Jim Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 DETROIT -- General Motors has ceased equipping its vehicles with a hot-spray windshield washer system that prompted a recall of 944,000 cars and trucks in late August. Deborah Silverman, spokesman for GM, said today GM has stopped using the system manufactured by Microheat Inc. of suburban Detroit. GM contends Microheat was responsible for the malfunction, but Microheat disputed that finding, she said. GM awarded the business in 2004. As a result of the dispute, Microheat Inc. -- a once promising automotive technology company -- ceased most production and terminated the bulk of its workers at its headquarters, according to three sources with knowledge of the situation. GM in August recalled about 944,000 vehicles equipped with Microheat's HotShot system because of concerns over electrical fires, according to a lawsuit filed against GM by the supplier. GM wants Microheat to pay between $20 million and $25 million for the projected cost of the recall, according to the lawsuit. Microheat contends the carmaker withheld payments for product shipped in July, August and September. Microheat says GM owes the supplier more than $3.7 million for the parts, tooling and other charges, according to court documents. Microheat CEO Ron Gardhouse declined to comment on the matter. An employee said at the headquarters told Automotive News that a skeleton staff was winding down operations. The GM recall affects more than a dozen of the company's most expensive vehicles equipped with the hot-spray washer. The affected vehicles are the 2006-08 Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS and Hummer H2; the 2008 Buick Enclave; and 2007-08 models of the Saturn Outlook, Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL. Investigators found three reports of fires and 34 possibly related warranty claims. In its recall notice, GM told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that a short circuit on the printed circuit board of the washer-fluid heater could overheat the control-circuit ground wire. To fix the problem free of charge, dealers will install a wire harness with an inline fuse, GM said. Dealers will have enough parts in stock to begin making repairs around Nov. 1, said GM spokeswoman Carolyn Markey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenJ Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 I wonder how many workers lost their jobs because no one on the Microheat development team thought to include a 20 cent fuse in the circuity? Sad. I really liked the idea of that system and was looking forward to enjoying it on a future Cadillac. I hope Bruce is correct and the system will become available in the future. Regards, Warren There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 It should not be difficult to eliminate the calrod heat source and use engine cooling system plumbing as a source of energy. Three or four turns of small pipe wrapped around the exterior of the container and plumbed into the purge line circuit might be enough. Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95SevilleSLS Posted October 11, 2008 Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 It should not be difficult to eliminate the calrod heat source and use engine cooling system plumbing as a source of energy. Three or four turns of small pipe wrapped around the exterior of the container and plumbed into the purge line circuit might be enough. But then you'd have to wait for the coolant system to be hot enough to use the wipers. Most of us folks up in the colder parts would like to use it to de-ice our winshields and we are going to wait 15 minutes for it to be hot enough to do that. -Dusty- - 02 Seville STS, white diamond - 93 Sixty Special, Tan with vinyl top - 79 Coupe DeVille, Tan with Tan top - 06 GMC Sierra Z71, Black - 92 Silverado C1500, black and grey - 83 Chevy K10 Silverado, Black and Grey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lothos Posted October 11, 2008 Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 It should not be difficult to eliminate the calrod heat source and use engine cooling system plumbing as a source of energy. Three or four turns of small pipe wrapped around the exterior of the container and plumbed into the purge line circuit might be enough. But then you'd have to wait for the coolant system to be hot enough to use the wipers. Most of us folks up in the colder parts would like to use it to de-ice our winshields and we are going to wait 15 minutes for it to be hot enough to do that. Don't the newer Cadillacs have a heated windshield? WARNING: I'm a total car newbie, don't be surprised if I ask a stupid question! Just trying to learn. Cheers! 5% discount code at RockAuto.com - click here for your discount! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rek Posted October 11, 2008 Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 "Three or four turns of small pipe wrapped around the exterior of the container and plumbed into the purge line circuit might be enough." In the 70's I had a washer fluid "Heater" plumbed into a heater hose. It was a tube surrounded by a nylon chamber, filled with W-fluid. It worked. For winter, I'd add 16 oz. of 91% isopropyl to the W-fluid... Instant de-ice, with cold fluid. I received the recall notice as well....wait untill Nov.... rek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted October 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 DETROIT -- Stung by a General Motors recall of its main product, Microheat Inc. today filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The once-promising technology company ceased most production of its hot-spray windshield washer at its sole manufacturing plant in suburban Detroit. Microheat is operating with a skeleton staff, including CEO Ron Gardhouse. Autonews Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenJ Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 You have requested a page that requires registration. Nope. Doesn't work for me. There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lothos Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Microheat files for Chapter 11 protection Robert Sherefkin and David Barkholz Automotive News October 14, 2008 - 5:05 pm ET UPDATED: 10/14/08 5:22 p.m. EDT DETROIT -- Stung by a General Motors recall of its main product, Microheat Inc. today filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The once-promising technology company ceased most production of its hot-spray windshield washer at its sole manufacturing plant in suburban Detroit. Microheat is operating with a skeleton staff, including CEO Ron Gardhouse. Microheat sought Chapter 11 protection as a result of an August recall of 944,000 GM vehicles equipped with Microheat's HotShot system. The award-winning washer sprays hot liquid on windshields to clean the glass of ice and debris. GM recalled the vehicles, from the 2006-through-2008 model years, because of the potential for electrical fires. As Automotive News first reported last week, GM wants Microheat to pay between $20 million and $25 million for the projected cost of the recall, according to court documents. Last month, Microheat sued GM after the carmaker allegedly withheld payments for product shipped in July, August and September. Microheat says GM owes the supplier more than $3.7 million for the parts, tooling and other charges, according to court documents. Microheat listed assets and liabilities of between $10 million and $50 million each, according to documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit. By far the largest Microheat creditor is M-Heat Investors LLC, of Bettendorf, Iowa, with a claim of $42.7 million. About $10.1 million of the amount is secured and the remaining $32.6 million unsecured, according to the bankruptcy court records. The GM recall affects more than a dozen of the automaker's most expensive vehicles equipped with the hot-spray washer. The vehicles include the Cadillac Escalade SUV, Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and Suburban SUV and Buick Enclave crossover. In its recall notice, GM told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that a short circuit on the printed circuit board of the washer-fluid heater could overheat the control-circuit ground wire. To fix the problem free of charge, dealers will install a wire harness with an inline fuse, GM said. WARNING: I'm a total car newbie, don't be surprised if I ask a stupid question! Just trying to learn. Cheers! 5% discount code at RockAuto.com - click here for your discount! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenJ Posted October 15, 2008 Report Share Posted October 15, 2008 Microheat sought Chapter 11 protection as a result of an August recall of 944,000 GM vehicles equipped with Microheat's HotShot system. The award-winning washer sprays hot liquid on windshields to clean the glass of ice and debris. GM recalled the vehicles, from the 2006-through-2008 model years, because of the potential for electrical fires. All this because someone didn't have the brains to install a $0.20 inline fuse. Tens of millions of dollars lost; jobs with them. And you think it's just the politicians? Give it another thought! There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyG Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 In its recall notice, GM told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that a short circuit on the printed circuit board of the washer-fluid heater could overheat the control-circuit ground wire. To fix the problem free of charge, dealers will install a wire harness with an inline fuse, GM said. All this because someone didn't have the brains to install a $0.20 inline fuse. Tens of millions of dollars lost; jobs with them. And you think it's just the politicians? Give it another thought! I don't see the problem as simply forgetting to install an inline fuse. In fact, the circuit is protected by a 60 amp fuse. The real problem, or the real question to ask is why would the printed circuit board develop a short? Could it be that the groundwire is too small? It seems to me that if the peripheral wires suplying power to this circuit are adequate, the circuit board would act as its own fuse, and the burn out would be confined to that weak spot. Anyway, I'm no electrical engineer, but it seems that somebody missed something in their calculations. Hence the possibility of extended litigation...... I stopped by a local Caddy dealership today to seek some direction on this recall. The service manager repeated the same thing that was posted here, no parts until after November 1. Their immediate direction from GM is to remove the aforementioned 60 amp fuse on the passenger side, underhood box, until the parts are available. All of this DESPITE the fact that GM has not notified me of a recall yet! Now that's sad. It's not like I'm the second owner of this vehicle or something. I gave my REAL name, they don't have to track me down, nothing. GM's fuse installation is simply a stopgap measure to avoid burning up another car and to avoid litigation. It has absolutely nothing to do with solving the real problem here. Understandable I suppose, given the current economic situation, but it does nothing to bolster my confidence in the American car maker. I suppose it's better than the choice that MicroHeat made.....just declare bankruptcy and wash your hands of the matter! Never underestimate the amount of a persons greed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 I don't see the problem as simply forgetting to install an inline fuse. In fact, the circuit is protected by a 60 amp fuse. This has to be a typo. Sixty amperes???? Tell me I'm wrong. Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Jim Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 I don't see the problem as simply forgetting to install an inline fuse. In fact, the circuit is protected by a 60 amp fuse. This has to be a typo. Sixty amperes???? Tell me I'm wrong. Jim, I think he is right. It is a 60 AMP fuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Jim Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 All of this DESPITE the fact that GM has not notified me of a recall yet! Now that's sad. It's not like I'm the second owner of this vehicle or something. I gave my REAL name, they don't have to track me down, nothing. I got my notice the last week in September. You should have got yours by now. Maybe it is because of that street that nobody can find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenJ Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 I don't see the problem as simply forgetting to install an inline fuse. In fact, the circuit is protected by a 60 amp fuse . . . It's not my intent to be unkind, and I'm not suggesting you can arc weld off a 60 Amp fuse, but a little 2" x 3" printed circuit board (I'm guessing) can be grossly incinerated on the wrong end of a 60 Amp fuse; to the extent it might cause a fire! Something closer to a 3 Amp fuse might have been in order. Okay, maybe a 4 Amp fuse. This was "wired for fire" by "Rahoul The Electrician." Regards, Warren There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyG Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 As I said, "Hence the possibility of extended litigation". No offense taken. This is most likely the main feed to the circuit and the calrod heater (that's from another post). It may have nothing to do with the control circuit, though they would work in conjunction. This is just Caddy's immediate direction to prevent your car from burning. Never underestimate the amount of a persons greed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenJ Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 Sorry, I missed your comment about "the possibility of extended litigation." Nevertheless you cannot protect a minuscule circuit with a massive fuse. Shame on GM for not having detected this; they share some of the responsibility. Regards, Warren There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyG Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 I received a little more info from my salesman on this today. He contacted me, bless his heart, and I proceeded to tell him of my misfortune of not having been notified of this recall. His reply said that my car, a 2008 DTS, was NOT included in the recall. Of course, rather than being elated, as he apparently was, only caused me MORE concern as to why, if there was a better option available than pulling a 60 amp fuse or installing an additionl fuse in the control wiring, that this new circuitry was not applied to vehicles already in service. Does anyone know EXACTLY which model were included in the recall and why some were not? Prob. has something to do with the LUXIII option not being produced in large enough numbers. Maybe THIS is why there is a MISCONCEPTION about American car quality with the public, and why GM is presently asking for a taxpayer financed bailout. I think I'm turning Japanese..... Never underestimate the amount of a persons greed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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