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Buick Lucerne Electrical/Lighting

2

Comments

  • b88lazerb88lazer Member Posts: 21
    I appreciate the offer, Bob, but can't think of a way to enable your suggestion unless one or both of us puts an email address, phone number or postal address in a post available to any casual reader. One option is to contact a dealer with the numbers you kindly provided and hope the dealer will make the info available. Perhaps the forum host has a thought?
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    You can send each other info on your carspace page. At the top of the page is a header with black print "My Carspace." Send an email from the carspace page (email is on the right) to the other user with their address as user@carspace.com. You can decide how to communicate from there if that's not sufficient!

    Or you can join a junk email group like yahoo and then give that email in the comments area on your Forum Profile. Anyone else can see your profile by clicking on our user name on any post!

    Another method is scan the document, post it on photobucket.com (free account there) and then post here the link to the document there. Anyone reading here could click and read the document just like people post their car pictures for here on Edmunds.

    Or you can scan it and post in your pictures area on your MyCarspace.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    imidazol97 beat me to the punch! :)
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    I missed pointing out if you have a good close focus digital camera you can take a picture in good light and post the picture in place of a scan using techniques suggested above.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • proftproft Member Posts: 1
    Please send me a copy of your Buick document ID #2074841 #PIC4799 .

    Thanks,

    Paul
  • rjwelshrjwelsh Member Posts: 4
    Paul,

    I would be glad to. How can we accomplish this thru this forum??

    Bob
  • b88lazerb88lazer Member Posts: 21
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    >I would be glad to. How can we accomplish this thru this forum??

    You can scan or take a photograph with a digital camera to get a digital picture of the papers. Then you can post them as an image or a link to the image in your post. One way is to upload the digital images to your carspace account into your photographs. Another is to upload to photobucket (free) or an equivalent hosting service that stores your digital images and lets you link to them.

    By posting a link in the post, someone reading your post later can go to that link and see them in your photobucket account (or carspace account),.

    A problem with carspace pictures is there is a graphic advertising carspace that's on the bottom corner.

    I use photobucket most of the time.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • buckshot0421buckshot0421 Member Posts: 2
    Is there a charge for this fix?
  • buckshot0421buckshot0421 Member Posts: 2
    How do you change a rear turn signal bulb in a 2006 buick lucerne?
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    Inside the trunk there will be a felt cover. When you remove that for access to the taillight area, there will be some kind of flat tap that holds the red lense in. Probably three of them. I don't have a Lucerne but my 03 has corner lights that are held in by little taps on 1/8 inch diameter studs that are part of the taillight unit.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • custom880custom880 Member Posts: 1
    I have the exact same problem with my 2008 Lucerne. Seems like a software problem. If the program is smart enough to realize that when the sun is behind the car it is safer to have the headlights at the higher setting it should also know enough to turn up the cluster display. Possibly the system is designed so those two functions are linked. Controlling the headlight setting independently of the cluster illumination level combined with a software change should fix it if Buick so desires. This really isn't that tough of a problem for Buick to solve in my opinion
  • batman21batman21 Member Posts: 1
    I have a similar problem as a previous writer. If my 06 Lucerne CXS is not driven for 4-5 days the battery goes dead. The battery will be completely drained, for example, the digital clock goes blank and the car cannot be taken out of gear. Really enjoy driving the car, but with this problem, it is not practical to leave the Lucerne at an airport or an underground garage or a jump start will be required. Also it is not practical to have a neighbor occasionally start the car if you are out of town for a period of time.

    The Lucerne has been back to the dealer several times since new and the dealer has been very cooperative, but the problem still persists. The battery has been replaced, alternator & charging system checked out plus software changes have been made without a resolution. The last software change was to reprogram the heater control module. The dealer is now saying that the battery drain is caused by OnStar dialing out every 20 seconds or so & the only way to prevent the drain is to mechanically disconnect OnStar. Still have several months of warranty left, does anyone have any suggestions on what is causing the problem?
  • rjr06rjr06 Member Posts: 2
    In Nov '07, I bought an '06 Lucerne CXL with the Northstar V8. It was still a new car. It runds great, when it starts...5 times in the 2.5 years I have this car, it has been totally dead after sitting anywhere from 1 to 3 days in my garage. This last time, on a Sat, my 6 yr old and I had to walk 3/4 of a mile to my parents house to obtain a spare vehicle. The dealership is baffled. GM is doing absolutely nothing. Today, I talked to Larry Salazar-I guess he is a District Specialist Supervisor-he offered nothing...I asked for the Owner Loyalty Certificates to assist in me trading out of my '06. He said "You simply are not eligible." What a croc. In the last month, the car has been dead twice and barely started one other time. I am on my third battery. I have had the On-Star modules replaced, the parts that control the heated/cooled seats, modules in the doors etc. I think GM should bu this car back. Until today, I wasn't too frustrated. I am now. Mr. Salazar offered nothing. This car is proving to be more and more unreliable. If anyone knows a different avenue I can take, someone else to call etc, I would really appreciate the information. My 6 yr old has said "At least when we have a loaner, we know it will start". Geez. I have phone #s of the theGM folks I have talked to if anyone wants 'em. All in all, this car has been dead 5 times and barely started the one time.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    Have you tried asking at a different dealership about someone who has found various problems causing a battery drain? Have you worked with just one dealer?

    I'm not trying to put it as your fault, but I'm hoping another dealer has a tech who has taken ownership of finding these odd problems. When it's dead, the module that didn't "go to sleep" to eliminate power drain has probably already changed its status. I'm thinking, however, they could take the car and monitor it for a few days with a computer device to see what doesn't go to sleep and drains your battery.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • rjr06rjr06 Member Posts: 2
    the dealer had the car for 3.5 weeks after the 5th time...since my last posting, it has been dead 2 more times...GM is offering nothing, and my dealer is balking...the owner even made a "less than professional" comment this morning. I am ready to buy some of those lemon static stickers and drive around, once my car starts. they have monitored and monitored and monitored...had GM techs on the phone and at the dealership...all the dealer is offering me now is to trade me for a used Lucerne...I think this is outrageous...I bought a NEW Lucerne, I should get a NEW Lucerne. what a pain.
  • kcwolfpack59kcwolfpack59 Member Posts: 122
    GM wants to disconnect the heated washer fluid in Lucernes and others and pay us $100 for non use. I would rather have them fix it. Does anyone know of a website where I can complain or get action? I can't believe GM is too lazy to fix something like that, especially for expensive cars that a high percentage of the owners probably bought new. Their easy way out of this problem is astonishing. I would rather have the feature than the money. It was a unique feature touted on Lucerne commercials.
    I remember when OnStar went digital and older analog cars were going to be disconnected. Customer demand made GM change their minds and retrofit.
    I still love my Lucerne though and have had very little problems.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    edited June 2010
    >I can't believe GM is too lazy to fix something like that, especially for expensive cars that a high percentage of the owners probably bought new. Their easy way out of this problem is astonishing.

    I don't think it has anything to with laziness. Maybe you want to start a company to supply repair kits for the unit. There already was one recall in the past. The company that supplied the units is out of business if I recall what I read. When there are problems with units like this, I suspect the cost of supplying repaired units or repair parts is partly or mostly on the supplier and GM does the cost of supplying them to the dealerships and paying the cost of labor.

    Here's your opportunity to go into business. :)

    Personally, I can't see any difference between using a quality antifreeze mix that is above the cheapo methyl alcohol mixes and having the mixes heated. I see a risk of cracking the windshield with a heated mix indeed.

    So I say asta lavista to the heated units-hope that's the right spanish. I dont' see any reason you can't just keep on using yours. Don't take it in to the dealer and if you do make clear you don't want it touched, at any price, to disable the heater. I would say you're on your own risk there, however.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • nace818nace818 Member Posts: 140
    I live in the South and don't recall having used it maybe more than once or twice. I'll take the money and go to the casino to have a little fun. leaving it hooked up or going to the casino, either way it's a gamble.
  • kcwolfpack59kcwolfpack59 Member Posts: 122
    How about if I take the $100, go to a nearby casino in Oklahoma, win big and with my winnings start up a company that sells good heated units to GM? Well, it's a thought. Seriously, I am going to get it disconnected. Thanks for the info.
  • nace818nace818 Member Posts: 140
    Had mine done yesterday. However the $100.00 check comes from GM. No telling how long that will take.
  • darenbdarenb Member Posts: 2
    I appreciate everyone taking the time to share their experiences with this problem. I bought my 2006 Lucerne (brand new) in 2007. I suspect, I am fortunate our battery completely died yesterday (first time) and at the house. Interesting that we just had a 50K service 2 weeks ago and the dealer reported no issues with the battery nor any electrical systems. Similar symptoms: No power. No dome lights, no dash lights, cannot open the trunk nor remove the key.

    My wife and I really like this car; but, have lost some confidence in Buick for not correcting this problem, nor recommending a trickle charger for a car with demanding energy requirements.

    Would appreciate feedback on the final resolution that solved your problem, if solved. I'll do the same. :(
  • missy38missy38 Member Posts: 2
    We too have an 06 Lucerne and it just wouldn't start today. No sign of problems before this. Today I drove for 20 miles, shut off the car and it wouldn't start again. We tried to jump start the car but nothing. The battery was so low that the lights wouldn't even come on. The man that tried to jump the car said that the positive on the battery acted like it was not taking a charge. Any solutions? Had to tow the car in to the dealership becuase we could not get it out of park, the wheels were locked up, trunk would not open...

    Crowing blow was when the recker picked the car up he just dragged it onto the tow truck. Probably need two new tires now!
  • missy38missy38 Member Posts: 2
    We are experiencing the same problem.
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    missy38 ,
    I would recommend having your vehicle taken to a dealer. Please keep me updated on your progress.
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
  • zimbozimbo Member Posts: 1
    My mother in law has a 2006 Lucerne and very frustrated as having the same problem with the battery going dead. She has taken the vehical to several different dealers with no luck.(WI, Florida and Missouri) They kept the car for 4 days on a monitor and could not find anything. Random dead battery can sit for several days or even after an hour.

    Thanks for your help
    Ronda
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    zimbo,
    I apologize this has been an unpleasant experience. Can you please e-mail me your complete contact information including a good number to reach your, VIN, current mileage, and involved dealer? I would like to look into this for you.
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
  • merckxmerckx Member Posts: 565
    I'm experiencing an unusual problem with my 2008 Lucerne. It doesn't get really frigid here in Virginia, but going home from work twice on nights when it was about 35 degrees, the third brake light would stay on after braking and the cruise control wouldn't work.

    Has anyone else experienced this?
  • nace818nace818 Member Posts: 140
    I'm just curious as to how a dead battery could prevent the key from being removed.
  • emlee1emlee1 Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2011
    My 2006 Buick Lacerne has been in the shop 9 times begining in 2007 and is scheduled to go back to the dealer Monday Feb 20th for another look. I drive at any speed either in town or on freeways and the car just decides to stop dead without any warnings. It stopped at a force that the motor mounts on the transmission were broken. The engine light nor any other light comes on that will give you any clue as to what has happened to the car. When one dies dead there is no controlling it, you have no steering or brakes. to add to problem the the Engine light comes on when you fill it with gas, or when you turn the heater on and for no reason when you are just driving down the road. If you wait a few days the light goes out. GM and the local dealer and the engineers are always asking for my car to duplicate the problem. They can't seem to do it. In the last 3 weeks it has stopped 3 times. Finally after 9 and now the 10th time sending it to the shop where no one seems to know what is happening with the car I decided to file the Lemon Law. This seemed to be the only way to get attention from GM or the Dealer. The car should have been taken off the street long ago. I am frightened to death in this car. My car has been in warranty and just turned 39,000 miles, it is not broken in yet. We had the battery checked at Auto Zone, but the dealer has not broke the seal on the battery so guess they only check with computer, no thinking outside the box. I think this is a very bad way to do the customers who pay these prices for a nice car. The car is a nice car. Would like to see it operate correctly and give me peace of mind where I don't have to wonder when it will stop and leave me in the middle of traffic and possibly cause others to get hurt. Hope no one else is having this problem?
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    If the dealer and Gm are asking or your car to duplicate the problem it sounds like they are trying to find what is happening.

    Did you buy the car new? How many miles were on the odometer at that time?

    When the car dies the motor stops turning and the power steering pump and the power brakes are gone. There is vacuum left in the power brake assist unit so one application down on the pedal should be used to stop the car without letting up again. Letting up depletes more of the vacuum and the next press down gets less assist force.

    The car should not stop with a lot of force slowing it down: it should coast losing speed gradually if the engine dies. A force slowing it down rapidly enough to break a motor mount sounds like a transmission problem.

    The engine light turning on steady without flashing when filling up would be a pollution system related problem. If it goes out after a few days, is that when the tank level drops below 3/4? The pollution system for fuel vapors on my Buicks checks for leaks when the tank is between 1/4 and 3/4 full and a couple of other conditions are met, one of which is a lukewarm restart on the motor. If that's when it turns off, your problem is clearly with a sensor or relay in the fuel vapor parts which includes a carbon cannister.

    Has the dealer suggested just keeping the car for a few days and having a mechanic drive it as their own until symtpoms happen again? They should give you a loaner vehicle or one out of used car inventory to drive and use yours. Once the mechanic felt the stop that you have tried to describe as being a quick slowdown, they would know where to start looking.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • jr456jr456 Member Posts: 3
    08 Lucerne 39k. Occasionally the car will not start. Attempting to start it makes a noise like a chirping sound. Then nothing. Multiple attempts and 10 to 20 minutes later the car will start and run great. Happens 2-3 months apart. Dealer can't fix it because it is intermittent and they can't get it to do it. Has anyone else had this type of problem?
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,146
    You might want to post this as a question in our Answers section:
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    I think you're more likely to get feedback there.

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  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    jr456,
    Can you please email me directly? Please include your contact information, VIN, current mileage, and involved dealer.
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
  • jrorrajrorra Member Posts: 2
    Purchased a oxygen machine which has a DC adaptor and connects to the accessory outlet which is fused at 20A. The adaptor keeps blowing it’s fuse (10A) and the black box is extremely hot. Vendor says the car has a limiter in both the cigar outlets which causes the problem. Buick dealer provided a schematic of both circuits which shows no limiters and tells me the problem is the adaptor is insufficient to handle the electric requirements of the machine. Don’t know where to turn next. Any help would be appreciated.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    I would try the black box adapter in another vehicle's accessory power plug. If the fuse blows again, it's obviously the black box adapter's problem.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • ricradricrad Member Posts: 3
    I have a 08 cxl since new and it has been burning oil since new. My dealer has indicated that an acceptable oil use is 1 litre every 5000 kms. I find that burning of oil very unusual and question the dealers integrity.
    Does anyone have the same problem?
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    ricrad,

    To better assist, where are you currently located so that I may direct you to the correct customer assistance center?

    Thank you,
    Caron, GM Customer Service
  • ricradricrad Member Posts: 3
    Caron,
    Thanks for your reply. I am located near London, Ontario, CANADA
  • ricradricrad Member Posts: 3
    Caron,

    Have you had any success in locating the proper personnel?
  • jrorrajrorra Member Posts: 2
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    ricrad,

    I apologize; I did not see your response. I would encourage you to contact GM of Canada at 1-800-263-3777. Hours: M-F 7:30am - 11:30pm, Sat 7:30am - 6:00 EST.

    Thank you,
    Caron, GM Customer Service
  • darenbdarenb Member Posts: 2
    An update on Buick Lucerne battery problems. Since this problem occured; I bought a new battery and trickle charger. An auto service dealer stated the old battery had a bad cell. Now: When ever the car is sitting for more than three days I put the battery on a trickle charger and have not had any more problems with a dead battery. I think a trickle charger is the solution until Buick can redesign the electrical systems.

    As to your question about not being able to remove the key. First time this has ever happened to me in the 35 years of driving! Tried moving steering wheel, shifter etc. Very strange. Feel fortunate this happened at home.
  • jmom770jmom770 Member Posts: 1
    I am babysitting my son's car and after 1 week sitting here it will not start. . .no sound and key stuck in ignition. Would not start w/jump from battery charger. Original battery. Got the seat out, but bat looks complicated with lots of connections.

    Can anyone send directions, step by step? Manual not helpful and app $300 for dealer to do it, plus towing. Autozone has bat for $140.

    Thank you,
    Lucerne Granny
  • lucerneownerlucerneowner Member Posts: 14
  • lucerneownerlucerneowner Member Posts: 14
    After returning home from extended out of town say, I reconnected the negative battery terminal per manual and attempted to start my garaged '06 Lucerne CX - but not a peep out of the starter and the key wouldn't return to the OFF position, so can't even get it out of the ignition. Battery seems to have plenty of juice though (strong headlights, lots of dash panel lights come on, altho dome & map lights won't). I've done this routine for the past several years without incident. What happened?! Quirk of security system? ...
  • andharrisandharris Member Posts: 1
    I had a similar problem. I am not sure if it was coincidental with the cooler temp. My 2008 Lucerne's 3rd light would stay on and the Cruise control stopped working. The dealer fixed the cruise control and the light. About 1.5 years later, the 3rd light would stay on again (But cruise control worked). I took it back to the dealer and they said the Brake system needed to be recalibrated. my car is still under warranty so everything was covered. Hope this helps....
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Andharris,

    It’s great to hear that your dealership took care of things for you! If we can ever be of assistance, either helping work with a dealership towards a resolution or looking into warranty/recall information on your vehicle, we’re only an email away.

    Best,
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • autopeteautopete Member Posts: 1
    My hard working mom bought a used 2006 Buick Lucerne with 50,000 miles on Presidents day Feb. 2011 from a local Ford dealership. Car had new Cooper tires on it. Classy looking vehicle. Since then, first week rear tire kept loosing air, tire pressure light activated on dashboard. Took car back and they put 2 used Michelin tires on the rear of the car. Mom only drives the car in town, mainly to work. She says the tire pressure light keeps turning on every once in awhile. So I take her car to fill with prpoer air pressure and reset the air pressure light. On Sept 11, 2011 borrowed her car to take a 2 hour drive out of town. A half hour into trip the right rear tire blew out on the side wall of the tire. It was a Sunday and it blewout right when I turned onto street of a super Walmart that had a tire center open. Bought a new General tire. No Cooper or Michelin tires sold at Walmart or not in stock. Second week of Nov. 2011 mom took her 2006 Lucerne with 53,800 miles on vehicle in for an oil change at a Union 76 station here in town. The mechanic said battery needs to be replaced not charging properly, brakes need to be flushed and motor mounts need to be changed immediately. Took car back to Ford dealer where car was purchased and they checked it out. They replaced only the transmission side motor mount and said no need to flush brake fluid and battery was charging properly. Charged her $200 for a new transmission side motor mount. They said the vehicle check at time of purchase did not show any problems with the motor mounts at that time. Today, Dec. 7, 2011 mom said that when she drove home from work the engine light came on and she heard rattling underneath the vehicle. I took the car for a short test drive tonight and sure enough the engine light came on when car was started and throughout test drive, including slight rattling underneath vehicle. The engine light turned off just as I was turning into the driveway after the test drive. Car check showed the vehicle had no previous accidents and only original owner owned the vehicle. What was the outcome of your situation?
  • redgrandflredgrandfl Member Posts: 1
    We bought this Lucerne brand new in May 2006. First problems, driver side door handle came off in my hand - not once, but twice - dealer said it was a design flaw. Then problem with brake lights, turning signals, etc. - Dealer took care of that. Now that we are out of warranty, the battery is giving us a headache. If I don't drive the car for a couple of days - the battery is dead. Nothing works. The first week in October we were going on a trip and packed up the car, got in and nothing happened. Battery deader than a door nail. Took it to the local dealer and he said battery had a bad cell - we would have to buy a new battery. We did. Drove 500 miles to GA,
    parked the car for one day, went out to start out trip to the mountains - car wouldn' start, dead battery. Had to call AAA to get it started - went to dealership in Gainesville, GA - thinks we have a bad battery. We just bought a new one! We got back home to FL - car sits for two days and is dead again. Called our local dealership and he says bring it back in. He checks every electrical thing he can think of - and says it's the radio. Wants to charge us $600 for a new radio...we told him no...just take out the fuses. This works....but we can't use the radio. Also, bad rattle underneath car on passenger side. Sounds like something is really loose...but they can't find anything. I loved the Park Avenues that I have been driving for years....but I'm getting really aggravated with this car. I am looking around at other cars rather than the Buick....and I hate that...I want my Buick, but my patience is running thin.
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