My son is looking at a 2006 H3 at a non-Hummer dealership. We agreed on a price, but on the final test drive I noticed that the drivetrain seemed to bind on slow-speed turns. The engine bogged down and the vehicle wouldn't turn properly. It was in 4 Hi/unlocked. I had the dealership service manager check it out, and he could tell something wasn't right.

After checking out the owner's manual and checking out the 4WD functions, it seems to me that the transfer case is alternating between 4-Hi and 4-Hi Locked. The dash indicator stays lit on unlocked, but it seems to randomly go into lock mode.

In searching the web, I came across a TSB for the 2008 H3:

Has anyone run into this? Does the 2008 TSB apply to the 2006 model? They are supposed to take the H3 to a Hummer dealer down the street in the morning, so hopefully, they'll get it figured out.

I'm a little concerned that, if it's had this problem for awhile, that there may be abnormal wear on the transfer case/drivetrain. Should I be? Overall the vehicle in in great shape, very clean, and seems to run well when it's not in locked 4WD.

Thanks!

 

I thought the 'plastic mode fork' was replaced with aluminum by 2008???

 

That 2006 did have the plastic fork and that sounds like the problem as described many times on this forum. Kudos to you for doing the research. Also search this forum for the head problem on the 2006 before you buy.

 

Is there a way to tell if the head issue has been taken care of?

 

Any Hummer Dealer and most GM dealers can run the VIN and it should show a warranty history. Do a search on this forum to find the VIN numbers involved. If it was a late build it may have had the updated head.

 

I spoke with the service manager at the dealership and it sounds like the mode fork is the problem. He said the plastic one was still in there and was melted. They have the aluminum one coming from a Chevy dealer and should have it replaced today.

As for the head issue... this is a very early H3. According to Carfax, it was put into service in July of 2005. I haven't checked the door sticker.

The SM said the VIN came back clean for recalls. Was the early '06 H3 head problem covered by recall or was it a TSB?

It seems, from what I have read, that a H3 with this many miles (68,XXX) would have had the problem by now, or would have been fixed. Any info would REALLY be appreciated.

We're trying to get this done under a tight time constraint... we really need to leave town (Phoenix) this evening. We're 1,000 miles from home, so being that far from the selling dealer without being able to "shake it down" is a bit concerning.

Normally I would walk away from the deal at this point, but the price is very good... our second choice is about $5,000 higher, and I'm NOT spending that much. There aren't many H3s for sale where we're from (no Hummer dealers), and the ones available are bringing MUCH more than here in Arizona.

Thanks for you help!

 

I think I would have walked on it, There is always another one somewhere else. At the very least they should be discounting the thing a bit for the hassle. The head problem varies, Mine went at 16k, some have had it way later and others not at all. It is an expensive repair on it's own though.