USB Port will not work right away in Cold Weather

[thegrimm]

Hello all,

I have had my 2011 Malibu LT since last January. I'm over all happy with the car with the exception of a small list issues at top of which is the USB port not working first thing on a cold day. Once the interior has warmed up sufficiently and I restart the vehicle the USB port becomes responsive. I can only assume the issue has to do with a contact point contracting due to the cold but given that I need to restart the car once its warmed up before the USB port works suggest that maybe there is something else going on as well. Whose to say given the number amount of electronics involved in order to keep these vehicles running. I was also at my dealership recently for an oil change and mentioned it to the Service manager and neither he nor any of his techs had really come across the cause of the problem before (or so they say) but I know others have experienced it. Anyone have any thoughts? I can live with it for now but none of us have paid for a new vehicle just so we can "live with" any of its short comings.

Grimm.

P.S. Since I'm on the USB port, anyone have a clue why in the F' the USB port wasn't hidden in the lower portion of the centre arm rest?

[DrivenDaily]

It's in the face of the radio probably because it's cheaper than making it remote.

I haven't heard of the USB working only once it's warmed up. We have some techs on here who are here to help others. I hope they'll be able to point you in the right direction.

[Rodents]

Originally Posted by thegrimm

Hello all,

I have had my 2011 Malibu LT since last January. I'm over all happy with the car with the exception of a small list issues at top of which is the USB port not working first thing on a cold day. Once the interior has warmed up sufficiently and I restart the vehicle the USB port becomes responsive. I can only assume the issue has to do with a contact point contracting due to the cold but given that I need to restart the car once its warmed up before the USB port works suggest that maybe there is something else going on as well. Whose to say given the number amount of electronics involved in order to keep these vehicles running. I was also at my dealership recently for an oil change and mentioned it to the Service manager and neither he nor any of his techs had really come across the cause of the problem before (or so they say) but I know others have experienced it. Anyone have any thoughts? I can live with it for now but none of us have paid for a new vehicle just so we can "live with" any of its short comings.

Grimm.

P.S. Since I'm on the USB port, anyone have a clue why in the F' the USB port wasn't hidden in the lower portion of the centre arm rest?

Now that you say it's temperature related, can/did you show the service manager the issue? If it's been demonstrated to happen, the radio should be replaced no questions asked. Even if it isn't demonstrated to happen, the theory of a marginal connection sounds logical. 'In the interest of customer satisfaction' is a way you can put a part in for a customer without actually seeing the issue. It's not the way it's supposed to be done, BUT customer satisfaction is important so in cases such as this, it can be done. It's between you and your dealer to work it out. You really shouldn't have to make a case to replace the radio. I'd go for what you say but I'd at least want to try to duplicate it once or twice.

As to why it's where it is. A matter of preference. I like where it is, you don't. That's why there's vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and peach ice cream.

[greenman]

You could use a 6 or 10' USB extension cable & pull it back into the dash & put the port pretty much anywhere. That's what I did for the aux in port.

[thegrimm]

Thanks for the input folks.

@Rodents, I've actually tried various permutations to try to whittle down the cause including not leaving the iPod plugged in over night etc and so on and it still has an issue first thing on cold days. Unfortunately in order to replicate it for the dealership I would need to leave it with them over night and that's something I can't do right now. Fortunately the folks at the dealership know me pretty well and believe what I've told them especially given the fact I've broken down the problem for them. I'm not sure if at this point replacing the whole unit is worth the trouble given that the USB port does work for the most part.... that's something I'll need to consider.

@greenman, I've actually considered that. Like Rodents said, the placement of the USB is a matter of preference. For me I'd like to be able to have the iPod or usb stick connected but out of site so I don't need to keep unplugging and hiding it every time I park the car.

[rrohde]

I have a 2011 1LT and don't have a USB port at all (only the 3.5mm aux port on the radio). Was I supposed to have one? Considering that mine is a former rental unit, I am not sure about any of its features...

[EnvoyBu]

I've learned to plug the iPod in, keep the door open, and keep pressing unlock until you get the green battery charging thing on the iPod itself. Then start the car immediately, and it should work. It's frustrating. I know.

[Rodents]

Originally Posted by rrohde

I have a 2011 1LT and don't have a USB port at all (only the 3.5mm aux port on the radio). Was I supposed to have one? Considering that mine is a former rental unit, I am not sure about any of its features...

2 different radios. You have the US8 radio and the UUI radio has the USB port. U1C is a base radio.

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

@rrohde, if you would like to send me a private message with your VIN, I would be happy to research the vehicle build sheet information.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

[thegrimm]

@EnvoyBu, I'll have to give that a try. Its always possible that the problem is the result of a bug in the cars computer code... being in IT I've seen the wackiest things happen due to programing bugs no matter how small... all they need is the right circumstances. But lets see if your solution works for me. Thanks.