2001 Chevy Impala Problems

Ok, I am so sick of dealing with this! I have a clunking noise in my steering column AND if the radio is off and I go to make a turn you can also hear what I describe as a whistling or light grinding noise as the steering wheel is turning.
I also have a sudden problem with it sucking up all of my oil! I keep getting that dang light that says "Low Engine Oil Level". I should not be having to put that much oil into a car that I am still paying for!!
I also have a problem with the fact the everytime i go to brake it feels like the car is jerking back and forth. Can ANYONE help me with ANY of this?? I have 3 kids that I tote around with me, and I can't rely on my car to get us anywhere right now. HELP! THANK YOU!!!!

Sounds like you have the same problem I'm having with the steering column. It sounds like your ISS (intermediate Steering Shaft) needs lubricated or replaced. I understand it's a common problem with GM cars. I have yet to fix mine...more of an annoyance than anythng else. The dealer was going to charge me 200 bucks to fix it... I passed on it. Your oil consumption issue is the one thing I'd be worrying about... don't know what to tell you on that one. good luck.

I have the same clunk! I was told a common problem with this car. Dealers are aware of it. Local dealers have a syringe type grease gun that they use to lube something in the steering. Have not done it myself, but give it a try.

CLUNKS

I too had the steering wheel clunks. While the car was still under warranty, the dealer performed two fixes. The service writer told me that there's a service bulletin available to dealers that specifies graduated fixes -- if the first one doesn't solve it, they move on to the second. I've heard no clunking for about a year.

LOW ENGINE OIL LIGHT

About the "low engine oil level" light. You may not actually have low engine oil. Check to see if you have a manufacturer's sound system upgrade that includes AM/FM RDS cassette & CD stereo. RDS stands for Radio Data System, which allows you to program a variety of things such as should the horn beep once, twice, or not at all when you open the door using the keyless entry remote. You'll know you have this system if you see a button on the radio console marked DSP or DISP.

With the radio off, press and hold down that button until your radio display (not your dashboard display) says "settings." What buttons you press from here on out is a bit complicated; if you have your owner's manual it will guide you through the necessary steps. Look in the index for something like "engine oil, reset."

Anyway, one of the settings on the radio display is "engine oil" and it has some connection with the "low engine oil level" idiot light on the dashboard. The "engine oil" setting doesn't measure anything physical, like dust & dirt in the oil. What it measures are your driving habits (how far, how fast, etc.), and based on these determines when you should change your oil. But here's the catch: after you have your oil changed, the engine oil setting must be MANUALLY reset. If you don't, the RDS will keep sending a message to turn on the "low engine oil level" idiot light on the dashboard.

It's a bad design. If a GM dealer changes your oil, they may know to reset the engine oil setting but there's no guarantee. I had to figure this out on my own, but then again I'm pretty ignorant about cars so I have to read the owner's manuals.

Good luck.

go to your local dealer and get part # 26098237 which is the lube kit for the steering column clunk,
it is not a job for the inexperienced so you may want to take it to your mechanic, if you do attempt it make sure the steering column does not turn while the shaft is disconnected, if the column turns too many times the air bag coil will be damaged and that is an expensive repair

FCFFUZZYFACE