General STS thread
Re: General STS thread
9am appt. Checked system status. ALL systems ready (nice - evap needs 1/4 to 3/4 tank to run which it has) and bonus, no pending codes even. I think this may work. Now watch me get hassled about the tints...
Re: General STS thread
Failed on tint. They claim there is no more leniency. Despite having zero problems for past 2 years. This blows.
I may attempt self-removal and see how it goes. There are various methods.
I may attempt self-removal and see how it goes. There are various methods.
Re: General STS thread
Called Bill. He came over. I suppose we took an hour or so with the two of us being careful. Just used a steamer to heat up the tint and glue. There is plenty of residue on the windows and I probably shouldn't roll them down until I remove that stuff. But, tint is gone from doors and rear window. I left the tint on the rear 1/4 windows. They passed it and gave me a sticker.
Here is some of the removal. I do miss the tint actually. The process was basically heat up with steam, use a razor blade/scraper to pry up some tint and very soon you just pull with your fingers while steaming. The more you steam the more glue comes off with the tint.
Of course now there is actually a chance to fix the defroster (top 6" does not defrost) since the tint was covering the grid before. I guess that's something.
Here is some of the removal. I do miss the tint actually. The process was basically heat up with steam, use a razor blade/scraper to pry up some tint and very soon you just pull with your fingers while steaming. The more you steam the more glue comes off with the tint.
Of course now there is actually a chance to fix the defroster (top 6" does not defrost) since the tint was covering the grid before. I guess that's something.
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Re: General STS thread
Removing the glue residue took longer than it did to remove the tint itself. It seems like some kind of contact cement which I guess makes sense considering the application. The Goo Gone did nothing to it though maybe it would have broken it down if I let it soak or something.
No, what I had luck with was a steamer, a razor scraper and a microfiber rag with elbow grease. Did all 4 side windows. The rear window will be...for another time. No idea what the plan is given the defroster grid. Maybe just steam and microfiber? Or just microfiber and scrub really hard and take lots of breaks because it is an incredibly awkward place to put pressure?
Here is a pile of the glue. It is like a soft rubber band. On the plus side the inside of my side windows is very clean now.
No, what I had luck with was a steamer, a razor scraper and a microfiber rag with elbow grease. Did all 4 side windows. The rear window will be...for another time. No idea what the plan is given the defroster grid. Maybe just steam and microfiber? Or just microfiber and scrub really hard and take lots of breaks because it is an incredibly awkward place to put pressure?
Here is a pile of the glue. It is like a soft rubber band. On the plus side the inside of my side windows is very clean now.
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Re: General STS thread
Bob visited yesterday. Toward the end of the night we wanted to try out the XT5 audio but I started by playing that Daft Punk CD in my STS. I had the interior lights on so I could see the control buttons. I probably played music for a minute or two, got out and walked over to the XT5. We probably spent 5 minutes in there. Then we got out and I wanted to go back to the STS to see how it compared. I mistakenly left the interior lights on. But it was like 5 minutes. Well we got in the car and started playing music. When the bass hit, the lights dimmed a little. Then I noticed the dash. There was a red battery light. I have never seen a light come on in accessory - didn't even realize that was possible. I immediately tried starting the car. Nope. Clicks only. Damn!kevm14 wrote:So it's time to replace. Brought the old battery to WalMart and put it next to their group 78. Too tall. Some folks report some group 78s fitting but I don't have time to play battery measurements. I decided to get the correct group 101 from Advance, from their Gold line. Online they have a 20% off coupon and combined with another $20 Speedperk, minus the core, I walked out with the right OEM size battery for $147.22 with tax. Not bad at all compared to $200+.kevm14 wrote:So more battery observations. I've had Ed and Adam tell me they'd just replace the battery and not screw around. A group 101 is like $200 for this car, less from certain sources. So I want to milk it if it's not totally and obviously about to render the car inoperable.
Fun facts.
Old battery. Interstate! WTF, Saudi Arabia? New battery. Saudi Arabia again?? Same factory then? Wonder where the AC Delco is made...
Oh yeah, I had them test the old battery for S&G. Pretty failed. If you go by this, it was at only 11.5% of rated capacity. I don't know how long it's been on the shelf so I think I will throw my Battery Tender on it one last time before I put it into official service. I want to see how much better it cranks.
Jumped it off the Roadmaster, started right up.
Drove it around (including some performance testing against the XT5) and then went home. Hooked up the Battery Tender over night. Came out this morning, the red light was still on indicating it was still charging. I opened the hood and felt the battery, having just gone through this in my V (admittedly with a 9 year old battery). Sure enough, the battery was quite warm!! Unbelievable. I am really not sure the car can just kill a battery like this but suffice it to say, it must have some kind of internal short. So I parked it (it started fine) and took the Roadmaster.
So only 2 years later it looks like I need a battery again. I hope the warranty is more than 2 years!
I have noticed that the starter sounds more labored especially on the first rotation of the engine when cranking. I just didn't think it could possibly be the battery after only 2 years. This car probably needs an AGM battery just like I've done to the other two. Maybe it's high under hood temps. I don't think the car has a drain.
Website says 3 year free replacement. Score. Now all I need to do is figure out a way to keep the nav powered with 12V so I don't lose my clock.
I may be able to rig up something simple with one of my lawn tractor batteries and jumper cables. Just need to find a power and ground somewhere. I can't really use the battery cables themselves because I need access to the side terminals to remove/reattach. And I don't think that would even work when the terminal bolts are loose because they won't make good contact with the cable lug itself. Keep it simple...
Re: General STS thread
So on that GPS firmware bug with the clock...
I checked in on the thread. Apparently there is a Denso engineer now posting to the thread. He says 08s and 09-11 has a fix coming soon. 05-07 is a different matter. Here is the post:
And I should add that while 05 is the most common year, it is also the worst year from a support standpoint. Between this GPS firmware thing and the whole bespoke Siemens ECM thing...
I checked in on the thread. Apparently there is a Denso engineer now posting to the thread. He says 08s and 09-11 has a fix coming soon. 05-07 is a different matter. Here is the post:
What I am wondering is how this all got initiated. Like, did GM contact them as a former vendor and ask for help? It almost seems like Denso is stepping up here since they seem to be working independently from GM on the development and test of this fix. Very interesting.Currently, there isn't a solution for 2005-2007. The software is 15 years old and the source files don't exist. (It was released around May 2004.) We were planning to use 2008 SW but it didn't work in 05-07 vehicles. We are considering other options. Unfortunately, test properties are limited so this is a slow process. I have to rely on using customer vehicles for testing. There is a solution for 08, and 09-11 radios that will be released soon.
And I should add that while 05 is the most common year, it is also the worst year from a support standpoint. Between this GPS firmware thing and the whole bespoke Siemens ECM thing...
Re: General STS thread
Even more interesting from a Corvette forum. Same guy.
Would be nice to see an updated TSB with a little status...not a promise, just a truthful (if corporate) status on the issue.
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Re: General STS thread
So I am considering having the rear wheel well rust professionally taken care of. Or at least getting a quote for it. Of course that does nothing for the undercarriage, brake lines and that sort of thing but the paint bubbling will break through pretty soon if left untreated.
Don't forget also that there is a mounting list of items I still should consider, including:
- Front lower control arms (already did the uppers, doing the lowers will probably do wonders for ride/handling)
- Engine mounts. I already own these but it is a major PITA and I still have not determined if there is a trick that makes it easier than the FSM says.
- Driver's side cat and integrated manifold. I think this is even worse than the engine mounts. Still playing the light reset game but this could theoretically worsen to the point of not being able to pass emissions by May 2021.
- May need a front diff bushing. Pretty common. I think it is a pain because packaging is tight up there. It may be causing a clunk under transient throttle but it could also just be the engine mounts. Not sure but again this is fairly common so...
Car has like 148k. I'm not sure it's worth more than $3,500 as it sits or maybe $4,000 if spit shined. I don't know that it makes sense to just abandon at this point, mainly because I have no particular replacement plan. Which is why I am posting this.
I may still be interested in upgrading to an STS-V. I just don't know that I care about the AWD even though it makes a huge difference in terms of being able to accelerate well in slippery conditions. But I really try to avoid driving the car in those conditions. AWD has a number of negatives, including:
- Another 300 lbs of weight, mostly toward the front
- Worse fuel economy
- Worse performance
- Tighter packaging up front makes many front end tasks more cumbersome than they'd otherwise be (i.e. the car had tight packaging to begin with, and then they crammed a transfer case, front driveshaft, front diff and front axles in there)
- An AWD car in a snow climate just increases the likelihood of rust and corrosion
Aside from that, I feel the increasing need to step up to something in the next level of performance, and a V would add a solid 10 mph of trap speed to the equation, while retaining (or enhancing) all of the things I already like about the car. It would be somewhat of a devil-I-know situation. Pluses on the V:
- 469 hp with smooth Northstar power delivery
- 6L80 trans is good
- Burnouts! The Roadmaster should be more of that type of machine, with the 3.42 axle. But hey, you think I never spun the tires on my Caprice in daily driving?
- No MR shocks and while the articles don't really rave about the V in terms of handling, it must be a step up from my 1SG car, regardless of FE3/MR
- No rear air compressor since it has regular shocks (should be Sachs Nivomat leveling like my CTS-V and SRX which work perfectly)
- Should be able to find almost all the toys available in the regular car, minus adaptive cruise, and not sure about the ventilated seats.
- Generally these cars are pretty cheap and I may be able to find a decent example for like $10k which, in a couple years, may be a realistic target for my next daily driver
- Fuel economy will be excellent (just kidding)
It might make sense to accomplish most of the fixes I outlined up front, and drive to approx. 200k and then maybe look at the next thing. But that could be like 4-5 years at this rate. Now we're encroaching on replacement vehicles for Jamie being a possible conversation. Which is pretty much guaranteed to be 5 figures.
Don't forget also that there is a mounting list of items I still should consider, including:
- Front lower control arms (already did the uppers, doing the lowers will probably do wonders for ride/handling)
- Engine mounts. I already own these but it is a major PITA and I still have not determined if there is a trick that makes it easier than the FSM says.
- Driver's side cat and integrated manifold. I think this is even worse than the engine mounts. Still playing the light reset game but this could theoretically worsen to the point of not being able to pass emissions by May 2021.
- May need a front diff bushing. Pretty common. I think it is a pain because packaging is tight up there. It may be causing a clunk under transient throttle but it could also just be the engine mounts. Not sure but again this is fairly common so...
Car has like 148k. I'm not sure it's worth more than $3,500 as it sits or maybe $4,000 if spit shined. I don't know that it makes sense to just abandon at this point, mainly because I have no particular replacement plan. Which is why I am posting this.
I may still be interested in upgrading to an STS-V. I just don't know that I care about the AWD even though it makes a huge difference in terms of being able to accelerate well in slippery conditions. But I really try to avoid driving the car in those conditions. AWD has a number of negatives, including:
- Another 300 lbs of weight, mostly toward the front
- Worse fuel economy
- Worse performance
- Tighter packaging up front makes many front end tasks more cumbersome than they'd otherwise be (i.e. the car had tight packaging to begin with, and then they crammed a transfer case, front driveshaft, front diff and front axles in there)
- An AWD car in a snow climate just increases the likelihood of rust and corrosion
Aside from that, I feel the increasing need to step up to something in the next level of performance, and a V would add a solid 10 mph of trap speed to the equation, while retaining (or enhancing) all of the things I already like about the car. It would be somewhat of a devil-I-know situation. Pluses on the V:
- 469 hp with smooth Northstar power delivery
- 6L80 trans is good
- Burnouts! The Roadmaster should be more of that type of machine, with the 3.42 axle. But hey, you think I never spun the tires on my Caprice in daily driving?
- No MR shocks and while the articles don't really rave about the V in terms of handling, it must be a step up from my 1SG car, regardless of FE3/MR
- No rear air compressor since it has regular shocks (should be Sachs Nivomat leveling like my CTS-V and SRX which work perfectly)
- Should be able to find almost all the toys available in the regular car, minus adaptive cruise, and not sure about the ventilated seats.
- Generally these cars are pretty cheap and I may be able to find a decent example for like $10k which, in a couple years, may be a realistic target for my next daily driver
- Fuel economy will be excellent (just kidding)
It might make sense to accomplish most of the fixes I outlined up front, and drive to approx. 200k and then maybe look at the next thing. But that could be like 4-5 years at this rate. Now we're encroaching on replacement vehicles for Jamie being a possible conversation. Which is pretty much guaranteed to be 5 figures.
Re: General STS thread
I would keep the STS for winter and beater driving and just drive the CTS-V more.
So instead of getting an STS-V and really having no good winter car (Roadmaster isn't supposed to see snow, truck is 2 wheel drive, CTS-V isn't supposed to see snow.), I would really just actually drive the CTS-V as a daily when it isn't winter/salt on the road, and drive the STS as your winter and garbage weather car to continue to preserve the CTS-V within reason.
Figure something like 8K miles a year for the STS and CTS-V each. Not bad really. Then you do the Roadmaster as a hotrod (but like... actually work on it and make it fast...).
So instead of getting an STS-V and really having no good winter car (Roadmaster isn't supposed to see snow, truck is 2 wheel drive, CTS-V isn't supposed to see snow.), I would really just actually drive the CTS-V as a daily when it isn't winter/salt on the road, and drive the STS as your winter and garbage weather car to continue to preserve the CTS-V within reason.
Figure something like 8K miles a year for the STS and CTS-V each. Not bad really. Then you do the Roadmaster as a hotrod (but like... actually work on it and make it fast...).
Re: General STS thread
There is a surface level of common sense to that suggestion, which is to recognize fact A that my CTS-V is pretty close to the STS-V acceleration (with much better handling, and the manual is more fun anyway) and fact B that the STS is worth very little. So why not drive the V more, and retain the STS that I already own for whatever duties that entails. I also generally agree with the sentiment that in the STS-V scenario I'd be left with a range of vehicles that would, best case, be non-winter-optimized and worst case, not be on the road at all in salt season.
But I see that argument as even more extreme. The STS is not worth that much which is why I put like 90% of my daily driver miles on that car (which is only a little over 10k/yr). The AWD has not been that useful except for a handful of times, and while Jamie has used it occasionally the AWD part has not been a factor. That's mainly because it would be uncommon for her to need to borrow the STS at the exact moment the roads have like 8" of snow or whatever. It just doesn't happen. Maybe this winter will change my mind, so we'll see.
And back to my V. I still don't want to subject it to daily driving abuses. I don't like what happens to paint and I don't like crashing over pot holes (construction zones, et al). I don't like my ass dragging across the seat 10-20 times per week. I don't really like having it in parking lots. You can say it is ultimately a consumable appliance. To that I'd say, absolutely, so how best to conserve than to use it less frequently. That would logically extend its life. I have 9 years of history that basically says, to me, that my approach is right. It's worth more, looks and drives better and has suffered no apparent downsides to being in a garage most of the time. I am literally not incentivized to change my behavior. As for my plans for that car, the future is wide open. I could keep it for another 10 years, or replace it in 3. Who knows. I don't care. But I will conserve what I have the way I have been until then.
And despite what you might think, or how you'd feel if you were in my shoes, I don't have this burning desire to drive my V as much as possible (and thus pile on the miles/wear/tear). I like it being a special car I have in the garage and it is special every time I drive it. I'm not going to treat it like the family Camry.
Also, I like the idea of daily driving an STS-V. Maybe just because of the better stereo and a few extra luxury features that I like. The auto trans is completely in character for that vehicle, too. Oh, and I'd welcome the better brakes (than my STS that is). I miss RWD and the feeling of launching the car with my right foot (the V is not for burnouts). Plus I like collecting high end/rare trims of vehicles. It is a special thing.
But I see that argument as even more extreme. The STS is not worth that much which is why I put like 90% of my daily driver miles on that car (which is only a little over 10k/yr). The AWD has not been that useful except for a handful of times, and while Jamie has used it occasionally the AWD part has not been a factor. That's mainly because it would be uncommon for her to need to borrow the STS at the exact moment the roads have like 8" of snow or whatever. It just doesn't happen. Maybe this winter will change my mind, so we'll see.
And back to my V. I still don't want to subject it to daily driving abuses. I don't like what happens to paint and I don't like crashing over pot holes (construction zones, et al). I don't like my ass dragging across the seat 10-20 times per week. I don't really like having it in parking lots. You can say it is ultimately a consumable appliance. To that I'd say, absolutely, so how best to conserve than to use it less frequently. That would logically extend its life. I have 9 years of history that basically says, to me, that my approach is right. It's worth more, looks and drives better and has suffered no apparent downsides to being in a garage most of the time. I am literally not incentivized to change my behavior. As for my plans for that car, the future is wide open. I could keep it for another 10 years, or replace it in 3. Who knows. I don't care. But I will conserve what I have the way I have been until then.
And despite what you might think, or how you'd feel if you were in my shoes, I don't have this burning desire to drive my V as much as possible (and thus pile on the miles/wear/tear). I like it being a special car I have in the garage and it is special every time I drive it. I'm not going to treat it like the family Camry.
Also, I like the idea of daily driving an STS-V. Maybe just because of the better stereo and a few extra luxury features that I like. The auto trans is completely in character for that vehicle, too. Oh, and I'd welcome the better brakes (than my STS that is). I miss RWD and the feeling of launching the car with my right foot (the V is not for burnouts). Plus I like collecting high end/rare trims of vehicles. It is a special thing.