is all electrical in a circuit?

[Shadowmeph]

I am wondering how the electrical is on the Torrent because my Parents have a 2007 Torrent and about 3 months ago the torrent would not turn over until about 50 trys later when it fired up with out any problems. being an self taught mechanic but not to familiar with the newer Computerized Vehicles the first thing that came to mind was the starter solenoid.
two weeks ago my parents headed out on the free way when all of a sudden the torrent lost power and the trany started to slip no power steering, this made the drive back home a horror show for my 70+ yr old parents .
when they arrived I turned off the torrent then tried to restart it and nothing all the lights worked lots of power but just a click of the starter solenoid. I continued to turn the key several times and finally the torrent turned over and fired right up. ran perfect.
now two days ago the same thing happened , my parents headed out the door and all of the power issues happened again ,no power steering trany slipping ( or maybe the brakes are engaging at the same time not sure) they barely made it home so I jumped into the drivers seat with the torrent still running to see what was going on and all of the above was happening this time I told my Parents to just send the thing into the GM dealer.
SO is this the way GMs are they are on some type of a circuit that is one thing in the circuit acts up the whole thing starts to fail. this reminds me of the Xmas light issue that if one bulb failed the whole string of lights fail.

I am really hoping that they can figure out what is going on with this POS because I I really don't like the Idea of my Parents going for there weekly drive in the Interior backroads of British Columbia and having a issue like this

 

[melsg5]

Since everything is electrical, if you have for instance a charging system malfunction, you will lose engine power, power steering, and the transmission will be effected. This is how most modern computerized cars are designed. Please let us know what the dealer finds.

 

[CatSkinner]

If the engine is not running at design rpm, the torque converter and power steering pump won't develop enough pressure to function. A drop in voltage will cause the engine to shut down, I'd be looking at the alternator and battery first and see what's up.

 

[GM Customer Service]

I am wondering how the electrical is on the Torrent because my Parents have a 2007 Torrent and about 3 months ago the torrent would not turn over until about 50 trys later when it fired up with out any problems. being an self taught mechanic but not to familiar with the newer Computerized Vehicles the first thing that came to mind was the starter solenoid.
two weeks ago my parents headed out on the free way when all of a sudden the torrent lost power and the trany started to slip no power steering, this made the drive back home a horror show for my 70+ yr old parents .
when they arrived I turned off the torrent then tried to restart it and nothing all the lights worked lots of power but just a click of the starter solenoid. I continued to turn the key several times and finally the torrent turned over and fired right up. ran perfect.
now two days ago the same thing happened , my parents headed out the door and all of the power issues happened again ,no power steering trany slipping ( or maybe the brakes are engaging at the same time not sure) they barely made it home so I jumped into the drivers seat with the torrent still running to see what was going on and all of the above was happening this time I told my Parents to just send the thing into the GM dealer.
SO is this the way GMs are they are on some type of a circuit that is one thing in the circuit acts up the whole thing starts to fail. this reminds me of the Xmas light issue that if one bulb failed the whole string of lights fail.

I am really hoping that they can figure out what is going on with this POS because I I really don't like the Idea of my Parents going for there weekly drive in the Interior backroads of British Columbia and having a issue like this

Shadowmeph,
I would like to apologize for the issues that you have been experiencing with your vehicle. I would like you to keep me posted on the progress with the dealer. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me anytime.
Thank you,
Stacy GM Customer Service

______________________________

 

[74B5Roadrunner]

Two months ago my Wife's Torrent had similar symptoms. A trip to the local Auto Parts store yielded more engine computer codes then I could sort out. A day and a half at the local GM dealership revealed a pin in the bulkhead connector for the gas pedal position sensor had backed out. I think there is a TSB out for this.

Now, if the pin for the throttle pedal sensor goes funky, a couple things happen. Note, this is not an open condition, so some signal is getting through, but not the right one, and not always stable. (This is my engineer brain understanding of the situation, I am not a service tech.)
1. Engine has no idea where to set the throttle position or how much fuel to deliver.
2. Transmission has no idea where the throttle is, and does not know when or how hard to shift
3. Power steering motor has no idea where the throttle is and how much assist to provide.
4. Traction control light comes on since it's completely confused with throttle input, transmission state and Lord knows what else out of parameter.
5. PCM then throws in the towel and goes into "limp home" mode. Basically a failsafe to get you off the freeway and to your local GM dealer service center.

Note, after purchasing our Torrent, I set out to replace all fluids.
1. There is no transmission dipstick, don't spend a half hour under the hood looking for it.
2. There is no power steering pump, the PS is electrical.
3. The transmission is apparently only serviceable through a drain plug. (or one of those fancy machines that bypasses the trans cooler to swap out fluid)
4. The turn signals and hazard flasher relay is integral with the hazard switch. When it goes, you'll get turn signals and hazards, they just won't cycle on and off.