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Buick Park Avenue Electrical / Lighting Problems

parkave91977parkave91977 Member Posts: 1
I have a 98 Park Ave and the power windows have developed a problem of not working on warm or hot days. When the temperatures cool down the windows work fine, but when the air heats up they stop working. I don't know if this is a motor problem or in the actual power switch in the door. Has anyone else experienced this problem? I'm hoping it's something I can fix. I already asked a Buick repairman and was only told they could fix it for $500, and that is for only one window. If anyone can offer a more economical solution please advise me.
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Comments

  • pau03pau03 Member Posts: 14
    Hi, since you mention "windows" as plural I would have to assume that it's not any one motor or switch. I'd look for the power source or ground. It's going to have to be something in common with all the windows. Have you checked the fuse or breaker connections? If you aren't electrically inclined you could be in for quite a challenge.

    PAU3
  • rbarthel1rbarthel1 Member Posts: 1
    After I start my car a "reminder" chime,more like constant dinging that starts sounding off and It does not stop untill you turn the car off. Is there a fuse that I can take out so that I dont have to listen to that anymore untill I can get it somewhere to get it looked at?
  • ggeeooggeeoo Member Posts: 94
    The front lights a very easy process. 1 Lift hood get a tork socket set loosen the two black knurled bolts. The whole wrap around unit comes out where you can see
    the side light the low beam high beam and running light just twist counter clockwise
    and pop out old lamp pop in new. The side marker are accessed the same way
    from reaching hand underneath fender twisting the bulb holder then pop out and pop in. The rear Brake lights are accessed from trunk area. Remove the two cargo cleats, then unscrew two phelps screws either side of trunk latch then the right side cargo cleat the entire plastic splash piece comes out after plastic screws are levered out. 10 mm socket removes the nuts the whole brake light and turn signal comes off and again twist the bulb unit and pop out old bulb pop in new. To access the backup and license bulbs remove the gray cloth again levering plastic screws. Then remove the eight 10mm nuts the whole trunk lid light assembly can be removed and bulbs replaced and reassenbled.
  • mikuhmikuh Member Posts: 3
    The turn signal mechanisum on my girl friend's 1978 Buick Park Avenue was broken by a repair facility that tried to fix it. Now the left signal will not latch and when you turn on the right signal the horn blows and no signal. They also lost the shift indicator from the dash so we have to guess what gear we are in. The garage says they can't find any parts and have washed their hands of the problem. Needless to say we don't go there any more. It was her parent's car and she insists on keeping it. It look great and runs like a top.

    Where can I find a source for the part? I have not pulled the steering wheel but I suspect that the plastic switch is broken. I may have to replace the wiring harness or perhaps the complete column. I'll do whatever it takes. Just imagine this tiny lady sticking her arm out of this BIG Buick's window to make hand signal. Most young drivers today don't even know what she is trying to do. They think she's trying to flick out a cigarette.

    What models and years would have the same parts so that I might do a junk yard search? We are in the Central Virginia area but I guess UPS can bring in a part from anywhere. Thanks for any help or leads to solve this problem.
    Mikuh
  • countryroadscountryroads Member Posts: 3
    On my 94 PA (not Ultra), the service department prices a replacement for the Overhead Lighting Monitor Module--displayed below the rearview mirror--at $535(!) Rather than shell out for this outrage, I told them to disconnect it as they suspect it is draining the battery. It flashes constantly when the car is being driven but does not light up when ignition is off. :(

    The battery was new in the summer of 2007 and connections appear clean. First, is the diagnosis likely correct? Second, I'm told it will cost $400 just to disconnect this module as it is positioned deep under the dashboard. This sounds suspicious to me but what do I know? If I go ahead with this, should the battery stay charged? :confuse:
  • capcrunchcapcrunch Member Posts: 1
    I have 2003 Park Ave with auto climate control. The temp display is dim enough to be almost impossible to read. I assume bulb replacement needed. How difficult to access bulb? Do I need to take to dealer?
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    Some of the temp displays go dim. It's not a bulb. I believe there's someone on Ebay rebuilding them. I recall with a Regal back in the 90s there were some where you take them apart and resolder the black, rectangular resistor blocks and they worked right again.

    I did a search on Ebay and came up with this store. You might email and ask about rebuilt Park Avenue units
    AC control and speedometer rebuild

    Or you can search for price on gmpartsdirect.com or rockauto.com for the AC control unit.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • bowfanbowfan Member Posts: 55
    Second Imidazol97's reply. There are some bad solder joints on the resistors inside that climate control unit. If you are handy with a soldering iron or know someone who is, it is a cheap fix (cost of a little solder) and an hour or two of easy labor for the do-it-yourselfer. After you disassemble the control unit, you can try to wiggle the resistors on the board and it will be pretty easy to see which ones have bad solder joints. If you aren't familiar with soldering and resistors, one of those rebuilt units will fit the bill as it isn't a bulb problem.
  • rtjrrtjr Member Posts: 4
    I have a 1994 park avenue. The horns goes off without anybody in the car. All I have to do to stop it is hit the horn a few times. Seems llike it is sticking in the column when you press down on the horn. What is the remedy for this problem? Could it possibly be some moisture in the column? This car had a leak in it a few months ago, but has been repaired.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    Quick guess. If it went off while you were driving I'd think it was a wire that was touching occasionally and had worn through its insulation. But because it's while the car is parked, I suspect it's in the contact pad in the steering wheel. A few cars ahd that problem long ago; the cold would make the plastic change and the contact would cause the horn to blow.

    Because you have an airbag in the steering wheel that complicates the matter. You might try touching around on the pad to see if you can find a sensitive spot that might be making contact when it shouldn't.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • rtjrrtjr Member Posts: 4
    Thanks for your reply. It makes sense what you said because the horn mainly goes off when the sun hits the steering column in the middle of the day. I will get someone to look into it. Thanks again.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    I don't recall the year, but check the NHSTA site for comments about that. Look for comments on the web. Ask the Buick dealer service manager if it"s been a problem and there"s been a recall>

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • lowe1lowe1 Member Posts: 2
  • lowe1lowe1 Member Posts: 2
    I now have 153,000 miles on my Park Avenue. I was driving at freeway speed with my cell phone charger on, the radio and the A/C. I started to see smoke come from below the steering wheel. I tturned everything off pulled over it stopped. I continued driving with nothing on but it started to smoke again but I did not notice a burning smell. the smoke was similar to when you blow out a candle. I checked all fuses to make sure that they all were the correct amperage , and they are. I have checked for grounds as well. I am concerned that my air bag may deploy while I am driving.

    Has anyone had a similar problem and do you have a solution.
  • angiebyrd189angiebyrd189 Member Posts: 1
    We have a 1997 Park Ave and it runs great for 165000 miles. One day my husband was at work on a lunch break listening to music with the air running and the driver seat back. He said all of a sudden everything stopped working but the car was still running fine. Now the radio is out, the tail lights are out (we cant drive at night, which sucks) the dash lights are out, the driver seat is permantly stuck in the lounge position, and the interior lights are out. Everything else runs great. My husband checked all the fuses and none of them are blown, the only thing he thinks it may be is the computer chip. Has anybody else had this issue or what do any of you think it may be?! :cry:
  • dixon76014dixon76014 Member Posts: 1
    SOME YEARS AGO I HAD A CADILLAC THAT HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM.
    ON LEFT HAND BOTTOM UNDERDASH, THERE IS A PANEL NEXT TO PARKING BRAKE, THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS, REMOVE THE PANEL AND THERE WAS A BIG ELECTRICAL PLUG, SOMEHOW IT HAD MANAGED TO LOOSEN, I JUST MOVED IT AROUND RESETTING IT AND ALL WAS FINE.
    YOU PROBABLY HAVE SAME PROBLEM, NOW TO LOCATE YOUR PLUG, THAT'S THE QUESTION, AND I DO NOW KNOW, IT MAY BE IN SAME LOCATION, SHOULD BE EASY ENOUGH TO LOOK IN THAT PANEL, LEFT SIDE NEXT TO PARKING BRAKE. HOPE THIS HELPS
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    I have not worked on 97 ParkAvenue but assuming it's setup somewhat like my 03 leSabre, there are different computer boxes that control different parts of the car.

    First you need to check every fuse with a continuity tester. They can look okay but be blown. I am assuming you have a fuse block under the hood and one under the rear seat with the battery.

    Also tighten grounds on the fuse block under the rear seat. Check the owner's manual to see if there are fuses in another location.

    My opinion is it's likely a fuse or wire connection that burned.

    I'd look for a factory service manual from Helminc.com for the car if you want to try to see what boxes control those items. The factory service manuals sometimes are for sale on eBay by searching for service manual and 1997 buick or use words Park Avenue instead of buick. Check carefully for ones offered to be sure you get all two or three books. Compare pictures of ones offered. You want the ones from Helm, which are the ones you get if you order from the page in the glove box owners manual that came with the car. Original price is around $135. They are available at the website--that may include shipping.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • smz100smz100 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 99 ultra. The series of buttons to the left of the gage cluster do not respond. Trip, engine etc. I did not get an owners manual but I assume theree is no trick to making these buttons function? any ideas? thanx
  • pschererpscherer Member Posts: 1
    Buick Regal NO START electricial problem,Car stoped running. All lights flash,buzzers buzz,no start. After 10 min car started, ran for 1 min now wont turn over and all lights on dash flash and buzz. PLEASE ANY HELP.
  • bowfanbowfan Member Posts: 55
    Without hands on examination of your car, my first guess would be a failure of your upper intake manifold plenum. This is assuming you have the Series 2 3800 engine, non-supercharged model. When mine failed, symptoms sounded like yours.

    Do you have any coolant in the plastic antifreeze recovery tank on the fender? If no, this points to a leak somewhere in the cooling system.

    Are you your own mechanic?

    If yes, pull all your spark plugs and then watch the engine while someone attempts to turn it over. When you pull the plugs, you may find some cylinders full of fluid which will start to spill out. If it turns over and is full of fluid, it will spray anyone standing in front. :P

    If this is your failure, what happens is engine coolant (antifreeze & water) will flow into your lower intake manifold (thru a crack in the upper plenum) and from there down into your cylinders. Air and fuel vapor will compress in a healthy engine. Water & antifreeze won't. This causes a condition called hydrolock. In a worst case scenario, it could cause expensive engine repair or replacement as piston rods and parts get bent or broken. But it is a common problem, and easily fixed for the do-it-yourselfer. I have never personally seen any parts bend or break.

    With the engine locks up, the starter seems to get jammed up, hence the flashing dash lights as it tries to draw a huge electrical load on your system but is unable to turn the engine over. I've had to pull the starter and put it back in to free mine up.

    This is just my wild guess based upon your brief description. It may be something simple like a bad starter or battery. Or something simpler.

    If you are your own mechanic, you can fix it for less than $150 in half a day. Plus oil and coolant change.

    Pull the plugs and let us know how it goes. :)

    If you are not your own mechanic, how well do you know your mechanic?
  • mikuhmikuh Member Posts: 3
    Since I received no response to my post, I decided to go it alone. I was able to purchase a new turn signal switch thru ebay that solved all my electrical problems. The plastic insulator that sits on top of the steering wheel nut and insulates the large horn contact spring, attached to the steering wheel was broken in several places due to age and some heavy hands of a previous mechanic. I was able to reconnect all the broken pieces and build up the missing pieces with several applications of 10 minute epoxy, so that the insulator was functional and did not allow the spring to short out.

    The other problem was the shift indicator gage. some previous heavy handed mechanic had dropped the steering without disconnecting the shift indicator clip, thus shearing off the actuator arm and popping off the indicator needle. This gage is rotary actuated and all others that I could find in junk yards were linear actuated. The only thing I could do was to try and epoxy indicator needle that was loose in the case and fabricate another arm and epoxy it to the little plastic stub that was still on the back of the gage. To make a long story short, after many trys, I was successful and the gage now works as well the original. If anyone is interested in how I made this repair, I have photos and would be happy to walk you thru the process. Please contact me off line at dbcall1@aol.com.

    This was a real learning process and I am happy to finally complete it. :)
    Mikuh
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    I'm glad to hear you were successful. It sounds like you are as adept at using epoxy as I am to fix some things. Also PL1 polyurethane caulk/adhesive is really good for putting some things in their place and it has a little give to it.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • bowfanbowfan Member Posts: 55
    On second thought, it could just be a loose battery connection. I should have always started with the simple stuff first. Sorry for not suggesting this on the first pass. Any change?
  • 94buickgrey94buickgrey Member Posts: 4
    I just bought a 1994 Park Avenue (not Ultra) from an older lady. It only has 91000 miles but had set up for a while before I bought it (maybe a year) and the next day i noticed that it was hesitating when I would accelerate. Anyway it got worse and then wouldnt stay cranked. It would start but immediately cut off. I replaced all of the coil packs and the plate under them (i think it was called the ignition module) along with the fuel filter. Now it runs but is still cutting out at low rpms. Ive checked the air filter and am in the process of changing the spark plugs. I have all 3 in the front and 1 in the back. I cant get to the other two. I've heard something about an engine mount that would allow the engine to tilt but i have no idea where it is... Does anyone know anything about accessing the back spark plugs and so far with the 4 new plugs in its still skipping and if changing the plugs doesn't work, what next?? Any suggestions would really help.....Thanks
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    If the wires are the original Packard wires they must be replaced along with plugs. Use AC for the plugs and a good OEM quality wire; if you don't want ACDelco wires use Belden from NAPA which is a commonly recommended good wire.

    There are many things that could cause your hesitation. The fuel pressure and flow needs to be checked.
    The IAC needs to be removed and cleaned without getting cleaner up into the operating part.
    The MAF sensor is a likely problem area. There is a liquid cleaner to spray on the sensitive wires to clean. You can try disconnecting the MAF and starting the car and see if it runs better (not perfect) without it. That sometimes identifies a problem MAF.

    You should check all of the vacuum lines for cracks and rotted sections that might be leaking air. You can try spraying carburetor cleaner around the edges of the upper intake manifold and all the vacuum lines which the car is running and listen for a change in the idle indicating carb cleaner is getting in and being burned.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • 94buickgrey94buickgrey Member Posts: 4
    Thanks for the advice. I did find a small 5/36 vaccum line that was pretty much non existant so i just replaced it. I got 4 of the 6 spark plugs in i couldn't get to the other 2, do you know how i can reach them... also the 4 spark plugs that i took out were in extremely bad shape the porcelain insulator part was black and crusty... The MAF that you were talking about disconnecting, im not sure where it is or what it looks like and i cant find a diagram anywhere.. this is the very first time that ive even worked on a car so i really appreciate your advice.
  • russellburkerussellburke Member Posts: 4
    I am currently looking for a T connector and four flat wire trailer wiring connector. The 2005 was the last year for the Park Ave and I do not want to splice into the factory harness. I have hunted the web with no success and any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
    RB
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    I stand on something to give me increased height to reach in. I put a cover over the fender and just reach back behind. I have to do it from both sides of the car to get all the back ones.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • das1000medas1000me Member Posts: 4
    Good afternoon. I have a 1999 Buick PA with about 135,000 miles on it. For some time now my "Service Engine Soon" light has been on. My car, without much notice, will shut off whenever I stop at red lights, stop signs or slow down to turn corners. I took it to AZ and they put a little monitor beneath my dash board. It read "MAS" (Massive Airflow Sensor I believe). I bought the sensor, had it installed and the "Service ..." light went off - but only for about 1 week. Last Sunday, the second week since the light has been off, while driving to a store about 1.5 miles away all was fine. When I left the store, however, a block away my car seemed like it was gasping for air (more like choaking) and cut off. After four attempts to restart it (when I turned the key in the ignition, I would hear it come on but it would not stay on), I finally got it going. It has not gone off since that time, but now I need inspection and I know it won't pass because of that darn light. Also, I've had the car for about four years and it has had a tune-up maybe once during that time. Needless to say, I want it fixed for safety reasons, too! Thanks!
  • bill235bill235 Member Posts: 2
  • bill235bill235 Member Posts: 2
    the coach lights on my 1988 buick park ave. are not working. can't figure out how to get to the bulbs? The lights are located between the front and back doors on the post. anyone?
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    The car needs to diagnosed by a knowledgeable mechanic. The number for the error code is important but what causes it still requires diagnosis. The part mentioned as the sensor involved in the error code may not be at fault; it may be reporting a symptom caused by something else.

    You might have a crankshaft position sensor going out. These cause random quick stalls usually with quick restarts.

    You might have a fuel pump that is wearing out. That causes low pressure at times. Often symptoms are worse when temps are hot or when pump has been running for a long time perhaps with low fuel level in the tank so there's less splash cooling. Your pump _might_ be replaceable through an access hole in the trunk. I do not know how that year Park Avenue is built.

    Diagnosis based on code readers is dangerous because it may become expensive--like guessing at parts to fix.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • myparkavemyparkave Member Posts: 7
    On my 93 pa my amp gauge reads out around 13 - 15 hanging right around the red line of the gauge. I have checked the output and am getting 12.4 volts from the charging system and also have a new battery. I'm assuming that the gauge is a lil bit off ( faulty ). Any ideas on this as well. Thanks for you help in advance.
  • carolsoncarolson Member Posts: 2
    I recently had a problem with my driver's side power seat. The console separated from the seat and fell underneath the chair. When this happened, something must have gotten shorted or something. My sunroof, radio, power locks and trunk release do not work. I checked the fuse box under the hood and under the driver's side dash-they all LOOKED okay. My questions are these: has anyone ever heard of this problem? Is there another fuse panel? If so, is it under the rear seat? If so, how do I remove the rear seat? Can somebody please help me?
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    Check your owners manual for locations of the fuse boxes. You don't say what year car you have. If your battery is under the back seat, you have fuse boxes back there and probably under the hood in the left front. Since you have fuses under the driver's side dash I suspect your car is the earlier type and you have fuses in the firewall "Relay Center" under a cover held on with a few plastic taps. They are large fuses. I'm guessing that the earlier Parks had a fuse and relay board on the right side under the dash on the A-pillar area. Take off a plastic cover under the dash above the passenger's legs. On top of the cover is a schematic of which fuses and relays do what. Many may be empty, depending on the options.

    If you read the owner manual, it may give short codes for which fuse does what. You might pick up on a fuse that includes items that aren't working. More than one fuse can be involved with operating a specific part of the car.

    Be aware some cars use networks which talk to other controls. So a controller in a driver's door tells other doors what to do. I don't know your year and I don't know Park Avenues as well as LeSabres. You might have a damaged cable under the driver's seat that's involved in the networking from door to door.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • ggeeooggeeoo Member Posts: 94
    Look under the rear seat there is a fuse box there. Also did you glue the component BACK IN.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    >look under the rear seat...

    I already said that.
    If your battery is under the back seat, you have fuse boxes back there

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • chrisptown1chrisptown1 Member Posts: 41
    i have an '02 PA with 75K (basic) . the outside and temp. setting in the small (window" keeps going dark then coming back then fading out completly, what kind of repair does this involve???
  • bowfanbowfan Member Posts: 55
    Do you know how to drive a soldering iron? :)

    It's a pretty common problem unfortunately with the BPAs. You need to fix the climate control display.

    You can either replace the climate controller with one from the dealer (I think they charge between $100-175 for the part - but that's just a wild guess), replace it yourself with one from eBay that someone has rebuilt ($50-100), send your's to someone to have it fixed ($50-60, there is a guy on ebay that does this, goes by the name: digital_dash_solutions and probably more like him. his is the first name I saw when I did a search),

    or...

    if you're a DIY'r, just pull out that controller display, disassemble it, and solder the loose resister's on the board inside it. It takes maybe 10-15 minutes to remove it from your car, 5 mins to disassemble it, 10-15 minutes to resolder the joints, then put it back together. Takes maybe an hour, and .25 worth of solder to fix it yourself. Let me know if you want more detail provided. I've got to do that on my wife's car today, and I could take some pics.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    I'd be interested in seeing the pictures. It seems I have seen a how to do it on the net somewhere, and it's something someone can do at home fairly safely and easily.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • chrisptown1chrisptown1 Member Posts: 41
    thanks for your help. i have no talents in that area, i am going to have the dealer price it out for me.
  • bowfanbowfan Member Posts: 55
    Here ya go: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/575054682kozIbZ?vhost=good-times

    Hope this works. Let me know if it doesn't and I'll try again.

    :D
  • bowfanbowfan Member Posts: 55
    Even if you don't have a soldering iron, you may feel like you can remove the digital climate control so that you can swap it out yourself. I'd help if you were on the south side of Atlanta.

    I posted some pics, and hopefully you can view some pics of the experience here: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/575054682kozIbZ

    It took me about 12 minutes to remove it, and the only tools needed were a screwdriver for prying and 7mm socket for removing 3 screws.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    That's an excellent write up.

    I'm hoping that my 98 LeSabre is very much the same.

    I remember the other write up was for a Regal several years back and that forum went dead. The resistors in that case were rectangular solids instead of typical cylindrical resistors. And there were many more than 4 to touch up the solder joints.

    Again thanks for the write up.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • bowfanbowfan Member Posts: 55
    You're welcome! It was the same in my '98 BPA and I think some models of the LeSabre share the same digital display control. Dont some LeSabre custom models have the slide bar controls? I think the Ltd's and some customs are digital.

    We've also done my dad's '00 and '01 BPAs. Probably did mine first and that must have been 4-5 years ago.
  • chrisptown1chrisptown1 Member Posts: 41
    thank you so much for the photos and reply.I want to tell you what happened when i took my PA to my local Buick today.Idealt with the Ser. Mgr. of the dealership.-- (a large GM-Buick dealer in Northern coastal Maine). he said i have bad news for you--the parts and labor for the climate control display will run $1,169.00! HELP. the comment was :"inspected and found internal display fault present--not blub or led display...display is internal component heater control headassembly..not serviceable separate..again must purchase entire unit parts and labor. + i would have to prepay for the part.!...i am going get a second opinion from the GM dealer across the border in Canada. I asked the service mgr. if he could find a used part. he said he would try. your thoughts. thanks chrisptown.
  • bowfanbowfan Member Posts: 55
    my thoughts are ... the title "service mgr" is a glorified title for salesman. period. They have competitions to see who can sell the most service. My suspicion is most SMs do not have your best interest at heart.

    Exactly how did that break down parts vs labor?

    He must be quoting you MSRP for the part. Here's the price from gmpartsdirect.com for an original GM part:

    Dash control unit, park avenue, main control 97-04 MSRP $1,077.32, Your price $560.21

    Shipping would probably be between $10 and $20.

    That's the way of the world nowadays. They don't fix TVs and computers, they replace components. Same with this unit. It's too bad, because it is easily repaired.

    Can you ask the dealer if you can get the $560 price?

    Is there a local ham radio club or operator who might take on the task?

    Know any family, friends, or mechanics who do freelance work?

    I am not skilled with a soldering iron, but I've done a couple repairs. You could probably pick up a very nice soldering iron for $100-$150 or even get by with a $15 model from HomeDepot or RadioShack. Then search youtube.com for someone showing how to solder and give it a shot yourself.

    Many years ago I got a nail in the edge of my tire. Not in the main tread, but kind of in the corner along the sidewall. The local tire repair place said it couldn't be fixed because of the location. Tire was trash. groan... I always buy Michelins. A friend showed me the little tar-like covered rope flat repair kits and said to try to repair it myself, "because what have you got to lose?" So I tried it and that tire never lost air for the next couple years.

    Here's another example, this tire caught a huge bolt on the way home. Surely this couldn't be patched... Well, what did I have to lose? I plugged it with the rubberized rope and it's been fine since. http://community.webshots.com/album/575079387LPRNSt

    The point of the story is... what have you got to lose trying to repair it yourself? If you fix it yourself, you reward yourself with $1150 for something you WANT to spend it on. If you don't fix it... you have to pay someone. You're no worse off.

    Or you adjust the temp by feel. Hotter or Colder... Defrost or Heat or AC or Vent. :) You cant see the display, but it still works. Live with it as is.

    Or next time you drive to FL, stop in ATL for a visit. ;)

    Soldering really is simple. 1) heat soldering iron by plugging it in. 2) touch solder to tip of iron and watch a bit of solder melt onto the tip. 3) touch one of the bad solder joints with soldering iron and hold it until wire gets hot 4) hold a piece of solder wire to the joint until it melts onto it. 5) remove soldering iron tip from wire and let it cool down. * do not touch soldering iron tip or hot solder or you will get burned * You don't want to melt solder all over the board, just enough to look like the other joints. You want to solder on the green side of the board.

    Sorry about being so long winded. I'd hate to see someone pay $1169 to fix something that IMO GM should take responsibility for. EVERY control I've seen has needed to be repaired. I think there is a QA issue, either with the design or with GM's manufacturer. :lemon:

    I like GM. I love PAs. But I think $1077 for that part is a bit excessive. :mad:
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,132
    Your best choice if you don't want to solder it yourself, which is understandable, is to have a local but good garage or body shop take it out for you, send it to a repair place, and then have them put it back in.

    Repair places on Ebay and other places specialize in repairing these and giving fast turnaround.

    Or you can buy a replacement used from a recycling yard.
    car-parts.com
    Choose year, car model, then look for heater control. They separate it as with levers or without levers. You can sort by distance from where you are or by price by clicking on the top of column.

    I see prices of $200 typical. Used part may have same problem as yours since it's a heater deterioration in the solder joints.

    Have a used one put in. Send your original off to be repaired, or do it yourself, and then put the original one back in.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • chrisptown1chrisptown1 Member Posts: 41
    thank you for detailed options.i am going to call the Buick "place" today to see where he is getting his fig. of$1169. Imay learn to live with with it for a while. i love the PA ('02 basic model 76k. very comfortable excelent paint and interior. i paid $8k from dealer for veh, I think he knew about the cost of the CC issue.. any way i just hate things that don't work. i'll keep you udate on the issue thanks again.
  • chrisptown1chrisptown1 Member Posts: 41
    I got a call from the Buick dealer today on my PA climate control--he can get me a used one for $300. +plus labor ($80. hr.) no guarantee only that it works when installed. OR a new one fromGM parts directfor $560..dealer gurantee for 12 mos. Which one would you advise. I plan to keep my '02 PA forever. thanks. for your help on this.
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