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Comments
However it is back again. I will have it back to the dealer again tomorrow.
J C.
All the best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
I see you are already very active in addressing this concern. Have you had an SR# assigned to your case as you've interacted with Customer Service? We would be happy to let you know any updates on the case.
Regards,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
Niagara Motors
in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
905 468 2145
The service person looking after this is Mike
My name is:
Jim Collard
The last 8 of the VIN are: f148687
The car will be at the dealer until next week as a part is on its way from the US. and will not get here before the weekend.
Also
The dealer has arranged a rental car for the duration.
That said. My initial concern before the gas odor with this vehicle was the hard manner in which the automatic transmission down shifted as you decelerated through 30 miles per hour.
The Lacrosse we have on loan from Budget does not do this. The down shift is very smooth and the ride is much better than the lacrosse we own.
We have asked Mike to take another look at this challenge.
Can you suggest anything that would make the trany work better?
Jim Collard
Thank you for the update! I went to look into our database for information on any warranty/recall information I could send your way, but unfortunately wasn't able to. I did a double-count of the VIN information posted here and found that there are only 7 digits, and our systems require 8. I apologize for that.
I see that vehicle is having some difficulty with downshifting, but as I don't have technical information available to me am unable to make any suggestions. Has Mike been able to successfully diagnose this? I would call and follow up but, as I'm based in the US, am only able to contact United States dealerships.
I would be happy to do as much as I can, though, if you were to send us the last you’re your VIN.
Best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
Vin last 8 are: af148687
J. Collard
When I looked into your vehicle's information in our system, I noticed that there was a transmission calibration update performed on your vehicle a few years back. It may be worth checking with your dealership to see if there are any further transmission calibration updates available for your LaCrosse.
Just for your information, you are still within your Bumper-to-Bumper warranty until 12/17/2014 or 80,058 KM, whichever comes first, your Corrosion Limited Warranty until 12/17/2016, and your Powertrain Limited Warranty until 12/17/2015 or 160,058 KM, whichever comes first.
I hope this is helpful for you,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
Sarah
GM Customer Service
Kind regards,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
I can also say that many others have had same issue with GM vehicles.
Certainly a very thorough check of wiring is necessary to insure it is internal to transmission. Locating the connection pins at the transmission disconnect point and reading for resistance of the coil is likely needed.
I'm not sure how many different designs there are, but the GM I'm familiar with have a small electric generator attached to the input shaft of tranny, under the side cover. The outputs of these spinning magnets is a coil of wire that outputs to the computer and produces those codes during test or faults. Having to pull transmission to replace something so simple is just bad design. Add to that it often has internal wiring connections, adds to the potential for a failure. This should be redesigned so that it is as easy to change as one of those camshaft position sensors that sits on a valve cover.
Do a bit of research, possibly with reliable local shops, and learn if there is a better replacement part. This is one of those times where I would definitely shop for a different manufacturer. Be wary of Wells, I found durability issues with their replacement parts.
And since you have to go into it that far, consider other internal updating and renewing.
The CAF, cabin air filter, should eliminate odor, it is carbon impregnated. It is also positioned in the system such that it would filter the air in either outside air or recirculate position.
It seems you have a second defect.
I'm sorry that you are having some difficulties with shifting. What year LaCrosse are you driving? Have you had it checked out already?
Best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
How has everything been running since the incident on the interstate two weeks ago? You state that they changed something in the transmission - just wanted to check in!
Sarah
GM Customer Service
What do you mean, "running hard?" What model is this?
Ford did for a few years have a bolted panel as part of the fender body area that could be removed so that side cover on the tranny could be removed without major work. I can't imagine why they stopped that.
I'm sorry to hear you aren't satisfied with your LaCrosse - have you gotten the transmission looked into already?
Please let me know if I can be of assistance (looking into warranty/recall information, assisting in working with a dealership, etc).
Regards,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
I'm sorry that you've had to make a few trips into the dealership already since getting your LaCrosse. I hope that this trip is successful! If you would like for us to follow up with the dealership on your behalf, please let us know!
Sarah
GM Customer Service
You say "dealership." If you bought it from a GM dealer or any other dealer, did it come with a short warranty period? I would get the transmission checked. This sounds more like a major problem. They should have known about this, because they would have started it cold when someone moved or a customer wanted to see the car and drive it. This is why salesmen go get the car and bring it around for customer to drive. If the customer were there, and something is not right when the car starts, tapping engine or bad transmission, the customer sees the problem.
Check into what warranty or rights the purchase has given you. Be sure you have a documentation from the first time you complained to dealer about the trans problem if it was within a 30-day period, e.g., of their warranty even though you are outside now. My uniformed guess would be the pressure control module inside the trans or a major seal that is worn and holds pressure after a little warmup.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
But there are many other possibilities with the complexity of an automatic transmission.
I just looked backed at your first post. A Super. Exactly the transmission I was thinking of. My Aurora was doing exactly that when I decided it was time to say goodbye. That '96 also had an issue with ABS/ABCM, the brake control modules and other electronic parts being eaten by electric spikes created when the cooling fans relays would make and break. Simple fix was a short jumper harness containing diodes to clamp those spikes. I would never believed that the issue would re-surface in an '09 Malibu. Same exact fix and I was having issues related to the ABS/TCS/ESC, along with others and got rid of it.
Next was an 11 Lacrosse CXS with more problems than I can count from memory. Some of them were electronic and on both the Malibu and it, there were intermittant brake issue which could have been caused by that same control system, the ABS/TCS/ESC. Just before turning it in, as a curiosity, I looked for those diodes in the cooling fan circuit. They were not there. I did not bother to check if there was a bulletin about the Lacrosse concerning this because I was already turning it over.
I'd definitely check your vehicle for related TSB. That spike can kill many things, not just that particular module. It will eat the first weak spot it comes to. And jump on to data lines. It could even be the source of the reason for having to reboot the system. You know, that pull over, turn vehicle off and restart.
Good Luck.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I see the fix, replacing the valve body. Again from recollection, the valve body is in the bottom of the tranny so I would consider that a good fortune that they did not have to drop the tranny for the repair. My personal observance is the more they have to take apart the greater the chance of something going wrong resulting in later problems. A bit like Murphy's law.
Valve body, plate, and valve. The valve I mentioned in earlier post as being a known problem, that would be this valve. Certainly easier than dropping whole tranny to get at, but it requires removing the valve body to get at it.
I hope that is the end of your trouble. At least from what I've heard, they finally got a rear engine seal that holds on that engine. Third change seems to have worked and that is a blessing. No easy job to change on the Aurora engine. The engine is of a special design and to replace it, you not only had to remove transmission from it but split the block at the crankshaft holes.
Do make sure that proper oil fill is done at changes. Because of that rear seal blowing out, GM reduced the amount of oil by 1/2 qt to an even 7 qts. They did not change the dipstick, so when at proper level the stick always showed a 1/2 qt low making it easy for some to inadvertantly overfill.
I am unaware of late changes if they occurred so you might have a bit of digging to find facts. That is they may have changed the fill quantity after they found a seal that holds, or not. They may have eventually changed the dipstick to reflect accurately, or not.
My opinion of that engine, pretty high tech for its release. Also powerful for then and very smooth. Downsides seem to be that it can be finicky as many Aurora owners found. Many who used aftermarket parts developed further problems and the fix most often was to replace with OE parts. Earlier years of it required premium and to short change that often led to spark knock. The sensor system was likely not as accurate as today's system. Spark knock, very bad for engine. Also it usually led to decreased mileage which offset the price difference and it definitely hurt performance.
I was saddened slightly by Cadillac's decision to drop the engine instead of updating it for the next generation. That would be moving it from the 32 valve to VVT and changing it to DI (direct injection). At least it would have been a very interesting comparison to the Corvette Mercury Marine V-8.
Does yours have an oil cooler?
Thank you for taking the time to post your concerns. Can you please email me with your VIN, current mileage, and involved dealer? I look forward to hearing from you. I apologize for your inconvenience and frustrations. I look forward to working with you.
Christina
GM Customer Service
[email protected]
The plain old 3.8 V-6 is a corporate engine with the same engine and tranny shared with the Low-end Buicks as goes in the base Chevy Impala and base Grand Prix..
The longer an engine/tranny stays in production, the push by the bean-counters is to cheapen the product---save money to improve the bottom line..Back in the old days the warranty period was short, however with the Govt takeover of GM the warranty period was extended.
I ran across a 2008 Lacrosse CXL, all options w/12k miles and only 1 yr of warranty left, probability could be bought for 13.5 cash, however after reading the Buick forums, I passed up the bidding process..
Have you gotten this checked out at a dealership? If so, and they weren't able to diagnose the cause of this concern, please let us know! We can be reached at [email protected] (include your name and contact information, the last 8 digits of your VIN and mileage, and a summary of the situation so far).
Sarah, GM Customer Service
I have a low mileage 2006 LaCrosse CSX. The transmission coolant chamber in the radiator burst causing transmission fluid to contaminate the engine coolant system and antifreeze contaminating the transmission system. It is the shop right now; looks like a $5,000 job!
No warning until the engine started to overheat and finally the indicator light made me stop driving.
Thanks,
Tom
We love our Lacrosse. It rides beautifully and runs great.
Yesterday, without warning, the car suddenly would not move forward in drive. It does move in every other gear.
We took it to the dealership and was just told tonight that they think a strap broke and now needs either a complete rebuild or a new transmission. The cost is $3600.
How does a car that moves need a new transmission? And how does a car with less than 100,000 miles just suddenly have a strap break? The dealership said it was a "wear item".
Is gm doing anything about these transmission problems?
transmission when adding fluids?
I had a 2005 Lacrosse CXL, bought used off someone else's lease with about 18000 miles. I had similar problems from the get-go. The car would turn on in what I called either a "normal" mode - everything running as it should - or "bad" mode (my name sanitized for public consumption). When the car was young, "bad" mode started as just being sluggish on the accelerator. As the miles increased, "bad" mode got worse - transmission started to shake the car, power dropped dramatically on hills, hard accelerations, etc, sounded/felt like an old choked engine running too rich. I could usually suspect "bad" mode within a short distance of driving, and tried to clear it before going anywhere where it might have caused problems. The car never stalled entirely on me, but got close, at which time I traded it in for a non-gm vehicle. I too had dealers look at it, who could never replicate the problem. Part of the problem troubleshooting my car was that it seemed to occur randomly. Over time, it seemed more likely to turn on in "bad" mode if there was a drastic change in weather and/or humidity since it had last been run.
I think the problem is software/sensor related. I think the car's computers initial boot is defective, either because of a software issue or a marginal sensor issue, and the transmission is just being run a slight bit out of sequence. When my car/problem was young, I was able to clear "bad" mode by turning the car off, removing keys, opening and closing the driver door, and starting over. Just turning the car on and off did not do the trick. Long association with software engineers leads me to believe that opening/closing doors leads to a different/deeper reset of the electronics, rather than cycling key on and off, which may leave some of the electronics powered for several minutes (think of the radio and exterior lights held after removing keys, what else stays electrified?). That said, running the car with the transmission operating in an incorrect mode will eventually lead to mechanical damage and by the time I got rid of the car, I believe that had been accomplished. The problem returned ever more frequently and more severely. Maybe this message will help someone else nurse their vehicle along until they can replace it. Maybe with all their ongoing recalls GM will finally step up and resolve the problem. (I had to put a joke in here somewhere)