1998 Chevrolet Pickup

WITHIN ONE YEAR OF OWNING VEHICLE, BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHT UNITS BURNED OUT . WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT UNITS. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH UNITS, THE LIGHT BULBS WILL BURNED OUT APPROXIMATELY EVERY TWO MONTHS. THREE MONTHS AGO (APR-02) BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHT UNITS BURNED OUT AGAIN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE'S SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THESE TAIL LIGHT UNITS BURNING OUT AND BURNING OUT THE BULBS EVERY TWO MONTHS.*AK

TRUCK WAS PARKED AT 6PM ON 1/1/01 IN DRIVEWAY.AT 6:30 AM ON 1/2/01, OPENED DOOR TO FIND CAB FULL OF SMOKE, DRIVER DOOR INTERIOR MELTED AND HEAD LINER PARTIALLY MELTED.1/2/01 NOTIFIED POLICE AND DEALERSHIP.DEALERSHIP CONTACTED API (EXTENDED WARRANTY CO) WHO REFUSED TO PAY.1/9/01 CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SATISFACTION LINE BUT WAS DENIED (CLAIM #02805467)DUE TO "WIRING HARNESS ON BACK OF TRUCK".HOWEVER, ORIGINAL STICKER ON TRUCK SHOWS TRAILERING HARNESS AS OPTION THAT WAS INSTALLED BY MANUF.1/29/01REPORTED LOSS TO BBB.2/1/01 RECD CALL FROM GM,NEW CLAIM #C0305797.1/26/01 FIRE MARSHALL INSPECTED TRUCK & CONFIRMED SHORTAGE OCCURED IN POWER LOCK, WINDOW OR MIRROR SWITHCHES.2/1/01 GM REP (LAREN NORRIS) AGREED WIRING HARNESS SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED TRUCK TO CATCH ON FIRE. 2/5/01 GM DENIED CLAIM DUE TO "OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY". PERSONAL INSURANCE PAID FOR REPAIR OF VEHICLE, HOWEVER, PERSONAL LOSS OF INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE, RENTAL VEHICLE COST AND PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHIN VEHICLE WAS SMOKE DAMAGED. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF WIRING IN THIS VEHICLE.*ASK

WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING OR SYMPTOMS, AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMPY ROAD, THE MULTI-STACKED POSITIVE BATTERY CABLES (2 TERMINALS STACKED WITH 2 WIRES EACH TOTAL OF FOUR WIRES) FAILED TO MAKE ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THE COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED, INCLUDING ACCESSORIES, ENGINE, AND LIGHTS. MANUAL STEERING AND MANUAL BRAKES WERE USED TO PULL VEHICLE OVER TO ROAD SIDE. INSPECTION OF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO CORROSION. THE SIDE-POST POSITIVE BATTERY BOLT WAS EXAMINED AND WAS NOT FOUND TO BE LOOSE. HOWEVER, PRYING THE POSITIVE WIRES (ROTATING APPOXIMATELY 30 DEGREES OR MORE) RESTORED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AFTER EACH OF THE 7 OCCURANCES, I HAVE DONE THE FOLLOWING: REPLACED THE POSITIVE SIDE-POST BOLT, CLEANED THE COPPER FLAT TERMINALS WITH PROPER CLEANING MATERIALS, VISUALY INSPECTED FOR DEBRIS INTERFERENCE, TIGHTENED THE TERMINAL BOLT, CHECKED FOR WIRING CRACKS OR BREAKS, AND/OR CHECKED FOR FIRE/HEAT DAMAGE TO THE CABLES. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION PROBLEM AT THE POSITVE BATTERY POST SHOULD NOT RESULT IN A STALLED ENGINE.*AK