12 problems related to alternator/generator/regulator have been reported for the 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Found odi id 735734 on your web site, would like to know why recall not issued?. No safety defect.
Premature altenator failure, caused by altenator being positioned under car , which causes it to be out of a "cooling air flow" and to overheat/burn up,internally. Plus, due to it's location, the right front axle, and sub frame have to be removed to replace the altenator. Altenators should not fail at this mileage. I have spoken with several other 96-z-34 owners who have had the same problems. Clearly a bad design by gm, and it passes an unneeded/unwanted burden on to people who buy their products and hope them to be trouble free,. Modern technology should allow them to build a system that is more durable. I have two other vehicles, that are much older than this car that are much more reliable and less costly to maintain. This poorest / and most unreliable of Monte Carlo now has a reputation in the market place and the resale value has plummmented. There should be some liability on gm's part.
Engine check light always coming on, burned up O2 sensor, vaccum line broke controlling vents, charcoal canister cracked, transmission slips if pedal is floored from takeoff between rst and 2nd and when downshifting after braking, abs fail in wet conditons resulting is extended stopping distance,alternator defective at 63,000 miles, vehicle skids and low trac light comes on when braking frequently.
Appears design flaw in the location of alternator causing failure?.
Ball joint and tie rod + front brakes replaced at 1st alternator - parts corroded and fused together 75k on orignial tires.
The alternator failed. Yh.
Alternater has been replaced 3 times. Defective alternater would not allow engine to cool. Consumer stated alternator is located at the bottom of the engine, because of its location it does not cool properly, to get the part the engine must be dropped, consumer stated this was a poor design.
Plug wire replaced at 35k 50k 71k - last two caused alternator to be replaced.
Vehicle has had continued engine failure due to spark plug alternator and battery failure.
This car has had electrical problems since it was new. It has been in for repeat repairs since under warranty. Now that the warranty is over, gm has taken the position that they will not help in the repairs of this car. What happen to applied warranties on repairs to cars. They are refusing to take responsibilits with this cars failures. I was informed by a dealers service manager, that gm knows about the placement of the car's alternator on the engine and it caused so many problems that gm has since relocated the alternator on later models and that seems to correct the problem with having to replace the alternator. In November 1999, I paid to have a pcm replaced and the technician forgot to replace the no knock module in the pcm. This caused the cars service engine soon light to come on and the car had to be taken back for repair again. This mistake caused me to go out and buy another car. (Toyota).
Vehicle supposedly has 100,000 mile spark plugs installed, but spark plug cables failed below 60,000 miles. Contacted Chevrolet and they told me it was because how I had them routed, and I had never moved or touched them since I had bought the car new. I was really upset with their explanation, or "excuse". And to have an alternator go bad at 76,000 miles, I don't think so.
Vehicle has trouble starting.