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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
First off, on way to church Sunday I went to use the washer fluid, and no dice, nothing. I looked at the temperature outside, about 32, NO snow on car, and the nozzles not obstructed by anything at all. I always put the de-icer washer fluid in my wifes terrrain (this is her daily driver), and it was about 32 degrees out, not near cold enough to "freeze" the washer fluid to slush. Neither the front or rear worked. So, i figured it may be empty, stopped at Napa, and bought de-icer fluid (-30 degrees) again. It didnt take very much, but i brushed it off. Then it worked.

Fast Forward to today, Wife came home saying her Terrains Nav screen was acting goofy. She said that she was listening to the radio, and noticed the volume indicator (the horizontal bar that comes up when you change the volume, letting you know how loud it is), was scrolling back and forth about 1/4 to 1/2 half, repeatedly.

So I take it into town for errands, try to wash the windshield with the fluid, i hear the pump....but no fluid exiting the nozzles. Now, Ill mention today it is about 23 degrees, but, the cars has been driven 2 times today, this being the 3rd time, and having been started for about 25 minutes, so needless to say, its more than warmed up. I pull into the store, and try to pump fluid out, and watching the drivers side nozzle, its bubbling fluid out, nothing from passenger side, and nothing coming from rear windshield either.

So i drive to gas station to fill up, i pull to gas pump, look at radio, i see what she was talking about, the volume indicator was jumping, but the volume was not increasing/decreasing. I also try to turn off, then turn on the head unit, it wont successfully turn off or on right away, not like it normally does, i have to push the power button repeatedly, with time in between for the software to catch up before it works, strange., I immediately call the service dept, they are closed, Ill have to call back at 730AM. Needless to say, the I am insisting my wife take my 2011 Subaru to work, and Ill drive the Terrain in case she needs wash her windshield washed, she is pregnant and im paranoid haha.

Im guessing no, but has anyone else had EITHER of these happen, let alone the same day.
 

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Re: First issue since buying in 12/2010

tjjkc said:
http://www.terrainforum.net/index.php?topic=1151.msg12982#msg12982 .......... second posting,defrost etc.


Don't know if this could be the problem ,but in the description it says something about instruments not working correctly,
I'm guessing he has a '11 based upon purchase date, so thus should not be an issue, and I don't think his symptoms are similar to that recall. No, I don't recall anyone complaining about either of your problems, let alone both of them the same day. Maybe a black cat crossed your path. I doubt this is indicative of the long-term reliability of your vehicle - sit tight - things will be better. But, with a pregnant wife, the Subbie might be the ticket for tomorrow.
 

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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
Re: First issue since buying in 12/2010

Thanks for the info, hopefully the firmware just needs a re-flash. Our Terrain is actually a 2010 SLT2 V6 AWD.

I called service at #1 Cochran GMC in Monroeville, PA where we purchased. The Service lady said "oh its frozen" I said, no, no its not, for 3 days. First off i must say, GMC Warranty work customer service pales in comparison to Subaru, BTW same dealer Cochran. I have had warranty work on my 2011 Outback 2 times, they drove to my work, 30 miles away, and picked up the vehicle, and brought it back a day later, and gave me a loaner no questions asked. One for a new radio head unit, one for a tire Road Force Balance.

I asked service if i could drop off myself and get a loaner, she said no, one of the 2 issues has to take at least 2 hours, to warrant a rental. But she made sure to state that I could rent one for $35 a day. I also have to now take off work, since no warranty work done on Saturday. Ill let the forum know what the fix/repair is.
 
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Re: First issue since buying in 12/2010

Since you were on your way to church anyway, did you try and pray for everything to start working properly again. That seems to be the solution for everything these days and statistically it always works...NOT ::)
 

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Discussion Starter · #6 ·
Re: First issue since buying in 12/2010

yeah, i didnt try, something like that doesnt just go "poof"..YOUR FIXED. Also, Software never fixes itself either, only breaks itself more in my line of work.
 

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Re: First issue since buying in 12/2010

Couple potential thoughts in the washer issue (allowing that I don't have one of these vehicles yet). I have a couple vehicles where this happens on occasion, usually when I don't use the washer on a regular basis. I think what may happen is the alcohol (the de-ice part) in the fluid may evaporate near the outlets and allow a little ice to form there. It also seems to be more prevalent with the finer spray pattern in newer vehicles.
Another possibility could be if you have had it serviced somewhere and they did a fluid check and top off (perhaps with non de-icer stuff).
 

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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
Re: First issue since buying in 12/2010

That is always possible. It still seems so unlikely though. i have lived on top of the mountains 1 mile away from a ski resort with a 1988 Honda, and 1990 Honda, and never used de-icer fluid, and have never ever had the fluid slush or even fault, except when ice is built up on the exterior. I just hope its not the 1 year GMC curse everyone I know has had with brand new GMC's.....its been 1 year exactly Dec. 12.
 

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Re: First issue since buying in 12/2010

Should your title be ...since buying in 12/2009 ?
 

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Discussion Starter · #10 ·
Re: First issue since buying in 12/2010

oh....yeah, sorry. Posted after drinking my sorrows away with a bottle of Pinot. Ill try and change that
 

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It might just be something blocking the lines. I had it happen in my 03 Golf in the middle of summer and I had to pull off all the lines and the main one had a little tiny blockage that was killing the flow.

Im interested to see if the dealer can find something.
 

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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
I think Terra-Nox was right. Having not used the fluid for a while till the snow flew, there was nothing wrong the dealer said. They had it in for about 45 minutes, and the wiper squirted fine? The methyl alcohol must have evaporated and froze solid. I wont let that happen again. As for the Nav system. They did an update and reflash and all was fine. Case closed
 

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I had the exact same issue this past weekend. I thought I was out of fluid so I added it. Only took 3/4 bottle. It worked about 5 times and then quit again. I added about a cup full, it worked for a few times then stopped again. Then no matter what it just quit. I also bought mine 12/09 and I have had the recall done, but don't think that has anything to do with it. Once the I was in above 32 degree weather for about 30 mins it worked again. I was in Ohio for the weekend and it was mid 20s.

They need a fix for this!
 

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Discussion Starter · #14 ·
Yes looks like we will have to buy the $4 a gallon fluid instead of the $2 a gallon. You would think after 100 years of making cars, that in a hi tech car, the fluid wouldnt freeze and/or the lines would be strategically placed to obtain engine heat in the winter. oh well, no complaining, Ill just use de-icer fluid
 
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