[dpeilow]

I had exactly this fault. The first repair failed quickly too, apparently this is not unusual.

Worrying because as said up thread, we thought it was limited to pre 2013 cars.

 

[dpeilow]

So I think I was the UK guinea pig for this. My car was off the road for weeks and it took two attempts to fix, but it didn't help that while I was out of the country for two weeks the dealer sat on it and did sweet fa.

If the car is still making the noise after the fix, do not accept it. It will get worse.

Touch wood mine has been ok now for a year and five months.

The fix can be done in a working day if done properly.


The advice from the US was that it sounds worse than it is. It's a broken ball race in the ball bearing which allows the balls to rub together. Apparently it can't cause damage to other parts but drive at your own risk. I did about 200 miles to get home from Cornwall when it went the second time.

I wonder if the 2014 car above was actually a 2012 that sat about?

 

[dpeilow]

Also check this thread https://speakev.com/threads/major-drivetrain-fail.743/

 

[dpeilow]

After the first fix there was a definite whine on slow down. Not as bad as the original buzz saw failure but loud enough to hear in the cabin. The MP3 I linked in that thread was recorded on my phone with the window down.

After the second fix it is barely audible. With the window down I can make it out if I turn the radio off and deliberately listen for it, but I honestly can't say if it was like that before. It's certainly less than gear whine in an ICE.

 

[dpeilow]

Here's a picture of the failure.

 

[dpeilow]

A GM technical services bulletin was sent to all Voltech dealers a while back. They should have it.

 

[dpeilow]

With the relatively small population in the UK I'm surprised there's quite a few people here now with the issue. There must be several more that wouldn't post or cars on fleets etc.

Globally, I wonder how many GM have had to cough up to fix now.

 

[dpeilow]

The advice I was given by the GM Volt crowd was if it fails a third time, demand a new factory made drive unit as it will be properly aligned.

 

[dpeilow]

All the Ampera parts seem to be held in Germany. I had a charger failure early on and that came from there by overnight delivery too.

As for mileage, I think mine was at about 18,000. I'm double that now with no further issues.

 

[dpeilow]

When I got mine done I pointed both the dealer and Vauxhall in the direction of that bulletin. They weren't aware of it then but they have no excuses now.

 

[dpeilow]

Wow, they didn't insist on a Vauxhall hire car? That's new.