Electrical Problems in 2016 Buick Lacrosse

[alhxcex]

I seem to have what appear to be some electrical problems in my 2016 Buick Lacrosse. I have been getting erratic error messages on the dash display while driving like "Service Stablilitrak", "adaptive cruise control temporarily unavailable", "Traction control disabled", "Service Parking Brake" etc. Also, the voltage meter on my dash is fluctuating and wont stay constant. It jumps back and forth from 11.5v to 16v while I am driving.

The system also seems to be resetting occasionally. When I get in the car, my settings are different.

Also, last night when I parked the car and turned off the ignition, the display and the radio stayed on (as if the engine was still running). I had to crank the car, and turn it back off to get it to go away.

I have had the battery checked and it is fine, and the alternator is charging the battery, so that seems okay. I'm thinking I need a full electrical diagnostic to pinpoint the issue.

Any ideas as to what could be going on?

 

[tombalas]

Even though you had your battery checked, it really does sound like that the battery is causing your problems. My original battery (also a 16 like your's) just gave up a month ago. If your battery is original to the car, easiest effort is to change it out.

 

[alhxcex]

So I had autozone hook up to the battery, and they assured me it is working fine. Could that still be the issue?

 

[alhxcex]

Also, I started noticing this problem after I had a State emissions test strangely enough. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it, but its kinda strange.

 

[Smith1000]

It kind of sounds like an intermittent faulty ground of some sort. I would disconnect and clean the battery terminals to start, reattach and ensure snug. Next, call the State inspection office and ask them what type of procedure they do when checking the cars. Ask them if they disconnect and reconnect anything electrical and what it is if so. Sounds like it could be a bad, or loose connection of some sort. Maybe they did not reconnect something. In older vehicles with odd issues like this, I have cleaned grounds and added ground wires to test. I realize it is is not an older vehicle, but there is a loose connection somewhere.

 

[FelixUnger]

Were you ever able to find a solution? My 2017 is on its 5th trip to the dealer for the exact issues you describe above. Two were on the back of a flatbed because it wouldn't restart. They replaced a transmission control module on the 4th trip, but that wasn't the problem... Thanks in advance.

 

[MelanieJoyner]

Were you ever able to find a solution? My 2017 is on its 5th trip to the dealer for the exact issues you describe above. Two were on the back of a flatbed because it wouldn't restart. They replaced a transmission control module on the 4th trip, but that wasn't the problem... Thanks in advance.

Has the dealership figured out what's going with your car? I have a 2016 Lacrosse and having the same issues. They've changed the module, relay and I've had a new battery put in. Currently it's on day 5 of not starting...

 

[FelixUnger]

Has the dealership figured out what's going with your car? I have a 2016 Lacrosse and having the same issues. They've changed the module, relay and I've had a new battery put in. Currently it's on day 5 of not starting...

Sadly - not exactly. The last tow was a major lockup failure. It took them a couple days to get it running. The last thing they did was take a new, unprogrammed Body Control Module and put that in (I'm not a car tech guy here - bear with me), they did no programming on the new BCM and basic standard functions worked appropriately. Then they put the old one back in and the malfunctions never happened again. They had it for almost a month after this. The service manager drove it as his personal vehicle and they could never recreate the problem once they put the old BCM back in. The service manager said it was possibly "terminal fluttering" (i think that's the term he used) - the connection between the wiring harness and the BCM had a loose connection causing the signal to not go through properly. Possibly taking it apart and putting it back together corrected the problem. He was really annoyed because he's had tough puzzles before, but this was the worst and he was mad he couldn't recreate it. I drove the vehicle with the service manager as a passenger and their testing computer hooked up, thinking it was my manner of driving causing it, nothing - drove perfectly.

I watched a couple videos online of other GM products with a bad BCM and the driver info center was displaying the same things that I encountered. Maybe look for something like that on Youtube.

I had every weird alert on the driver info center when the car would die. (transmission, stabilitrack, power steering, brakes, articulating headlight failure, etc )- i counted 10 of them one day. Sometimes it would restart, at least twice it didn't and needed towed. (might have been a third in there) The first thing they did when it all started was replace the battery. Then they replaced the transmission control module. The car had articulating headlights - they'd turn slightly as you go around a corner. They had the car running in the repair shop one day and the lights started moving on their own. Ever see the movie Christine? I was ready to contact my priest.

I use this vehicle mostly for short local trips but also for long business trips about once a month. My biggest fear was it would die somewhere really inconvenient. Most importantly, It died several times with my kids in it while I was driving. I lost all confidence in it even thought it seemed to be working properly now. I had the car serviced at the local Chevy garage as it was closest (by 10 miles and has a better reputation) and my model was nothing more than a Chevy Impala with a Buick badge and some additional creature comforts. When I finally got it back I washed it and drove it to the nearest Buick dealership and traded it in on a 2021 Enclave. I suspect there's something in a few of these cars where the programming is slightly off, or the wiring harness isn't quite right. It takes a specific set of circumstances to cause a failure, it's hard to recreate, but when it comes it's catastrophic.

Sorry I couldn't be more help with a definitive answer. Hopefully your dealership can gleam something helpful from this. Best of luck.

 

[GoodWitch7]

Were you ever able to find a solution? My 2017 is on its 5th trip to the dealer for the exact issues you describe above. Two were on the back of a flatbed because it wouldn't restart. They replaced a transmission control module on the 4th trip, but that wasn't the problem... Thanks in advance.

So were you able to get this fixed? I’m having the same issues with my 2011 LaCrosse. Started in June, it’s now August. Over three weeks in the dealership, replaced some wiring to the fusebox under the hood near the driver windshield and last trip replaced the body control module. each of three trips I didn’t get out of the service bay before issues, though they have trouble recreating issues while in the shop. FYI- replaced a battery at dealership in April 2022, needed replacing in Feb 2023, by June had horrible corrosion. I am only owner and only 107k mileage. Buick care is recommending a field engineer come to dealership. Dealership serviced battery at no charge. Appreciate any guidance Or additional experience.

p.s. Now windows won’t work, mirrors, moonroof, and locks are intermittent. Not feeling too safe. Tire pressure symbol is the only alert after the 3 visits.

 

[FelixUnger]

So were you able to get this fixed? I’m having the same issues with my 2011 LaCrosse. Started in June, it’s now August. Over three weeks in the dealership, replaced some wiring to the fusebox under the hood near the driver windshield and last trip replaced the body control module. each of three trips I didn’t get out of the service bay before issues, though they have trouble recreating issues while in the shop. FYI- replaced a battery at dealership in April 2022, needed replacing in Feb 2023, by June had horrible corrosion. I am only owner and only 107k mileage. Buick care is recommending a field engineer come to dealership. Dealership serviced battery at no charge. Appreciate any guidance Or additional experience.

p.s. Now windows won’t work, mirrors, moonroof, and locks are intermittent. Not feeling too safe. Tire pressure symbol is the only alert after the 3 visits.

Sadly no. Here was my original thread: 2017 Lacrosse Premium - Electrical Hiccups

My speculation was the body control module. Every time it was at the dealer they got a grocery list of codes. Dealership also thought it could be "terminal fluttering" - bad/loose connection between the BCM and wiring harness. They put a new BCM in, unprogrammed, and everything worked fine. Put the old one back in it also worked fine. The service manager at the dealership personally drove it to/from work for 30 days and no issues. I considered it to be possessed by demons. I got it back and traded it in the next day at another dealership. I thought there were other comments on my other thread or it must have been elsewhere - i thought someone talked about moisture around the BCM being a problem and having similar issues. Sorry - i don't think i'm much help.

 

[Kansasgoodwitch]

So were you able to get this fixed? I’m having the same issues with my 2011 LaCrosse. Started in June, it’s now August. Over three weeks in the dealership, replaced some wiring to the fusebox under the hood near the driver windshield and last trip replaced the body control module. each of three trips I didn’t get out of the service bay before issues, though they have trouble recreating issues while in the shop. FYI- replaced a battery at dealership in April 2022, needed replacing in Feb 2023, by June had horrible corrosion. I am only owner and only 107k mileage. Buick care is recommending a field engineer come to dealership. Dealership serviced battery at no charge. Appreciate any guidance Or additional experience.

p.s. Now windows won’t work, mirrors, moonroof, and locks are intermittent. Not feeling too safe. Tire pressure symbol is the only alert after the 3 visits.

We believe we have now two areas in Need of attention. The LIN bus under the driver seat and wiring in the driver’s door. Currently testing with disconnected LIN bus. I will update in a week.

 

[sgcappellino]

Add us to the list. 2016 Buick Lacrosse. Battery and alternator tested and completely fine. Car dead after it sits for a period of time. Then we jump and it's fine.

 

[GoodWitch7]

Sadly no. Here was my original thread: 2017 Lacrosse Premium - Electrical Hiccups

My speculation was the body control module. Every time it was at the dealer they got a grocery list of codes. Dealership also thought it could be "terminal fluttering" - bad/loose connection between the BCM and wiring harness. They put a new BCM in, unprogrammed, and everything worked fine. Put the old one back in it also worked fine. The service manager at the dealership personally drove it to/from work for 30 days and no issues. I considered it to be possessed by demons. I got it back and traded it in the next day at another dealership. I thought there were other comments on my other thread or it must have been elsewhere - i thought someone talked about moisture around the BCM being a problem and having similar issues. Sorry - i don't think i'm much help.

Update: 9 trips to the dealership, replaced wiring at fuse box, then replaced body control module, in over $1,100, and basically haven’t had my car all summer, and out some rental car expenses for a few days. Today while chasing down wiring in driver’s door panel dealer stumbled on something wonky in the floorboards. Pulled back trim and carpet. Grounding wire under where your left foot would rest when driving was toast, frazzled, no good connection. Replaced, they tested, and I’ve got it now. So far everything is working! I sincerely hope this is the fix, but geez, isn’t there a better way to diagnose electrical issues?

 

[G-361927]

Were you ever able to find a solution? My 2017 is on its 5th trip to the dealer for the exact issues you describe above. Two were on the back of a flatbed because it wouldn't restart. They replaced a transmission control module on the 4th trip, but that wasn't the problem... Thanks in advance.

I am having the same issue with my 2016. Voltage jumps up and down. I have a fuel control module in the back right corner of the car that needs replaced. I replaced the battery and it seemed fine until I started really getting into the gas pedal then everything changed again. The lights dimmed inside the car for about 5 minutes, then came back to normal. The rpm was jumping when stopped. I have already changed my battery. Like literally a 2 days ago and it wasn't a cheap one. I am assuming now, that my alternator, belt and tensioner pulley all need replaced.