Electrical Problems

[InfiniteImp]

The whole reason I had bought a Buick (first time in my life) was because of the quality ratings of previous models...

Same here. This is also my first Buick. The thing which made me move away from imports (Nissan in my case) and back to GM was the brand's reputation for reliability. I'm guessing that was the "old" GM's Buick. Now, with the "new" GM, doesn't look like maintaining a reputation for reliability was priority #1. It looks like we're back to the "let's move as many units as possible" GM.

GM needs to be aware of the fact that a bad reputation spreads like a virus in the internet age. People do their research. It's REALLY easy for someone to type "buick lacrosse problems" into Google. This forum comes up on the first page of matches. When I did my research, the forums only talked about one issue (the cold start muffler "ping"). I decided I could live with that. Had I done my research today, I'd be in a 2010/2011 Maxima.

Now, that said, all is not lost. GM recently found a correction for the radio issues I was having and corrected (new radio). There's now a bulletin posted by several users which addresses the driver seat easy exit problem I've been having. Once I get that fixed, I have no more problems. Assuming my LaCrosse stays working, I'll chalk it up to "growing pains" and be quite happy with my car.

I understand the concept of "Version 1" of any vehicle. With a new design there is the possibility for problems. The 2010 LaCrosse is a completely new design so problems may occur. As long as GM addresses them quickly, I can see myself recommending the LaCrosse to others.

 

[ck_1500]

Re: Electrical Problems-Instrument Cluster Shuts Off

I'm experiencing problems with the instrument cluster on my 2010 Lacrosse also. The other night I was cruising down the interstate, with the cruise set at 70 MPH, when the instrument cluster and message center just went black. After a few seconds the cluster rebooted as if I was starting the car, The guages did a sweep and all the warning lights came on. The parking brake light was on as well. The cruise control reset itself to 120 MPH. The rest of the vehicle was performing normal, while all this was going on. I turned off the cruise and rest it to 70 and it worked again as if nothing happened. The security light and the low tire pressure light stayed on. The tire pressures were normal, but the TPMS system is now in relearn mode. I called the dealer to get an appointment to have it checked. I love the car and all the high tech features, but this is a car, I'm afraid I can't afford to own after the warranty expires.

 

[Mad*Max]

Re: Electrical Problems-Instrument Cluster Shuts Off

. I called the dealer to get an appointment to have it checked. .

I will be really interested to hear what they say or do. I have gone in a few times for these types of problems and after wasting a whole day they did nothing.

 

[InfiniteImp]

Re: Electrical Problems-Instrument Cluster Shuts Off

I'm experiencing problems with the instrument cluster on my 2010 Lacrosse also. The other night I was cruising down the interstate, with the cruise set at 70 MPH, when the instrument cluster and message center just went black. After a few seconds the cluster rebooted as if I was starting the car, The guages did a sweep and all the warning lights came on. The parking brake light was on as well. The cruise control reset itself to 120 MPH. The rest of the vehicle was performing normal, while all this was going on. I turned off the cruise and rest it to 70 and it worked again as if nothing happened. The security light and the low tire pressure light stayed on. The tire pressures were normal, but the TPMS system is now in relearn mode. I called the dealer to get an appointment to have it checked. I love the car and all the high tech features, but this is a car, I'm afraid I can't afford to own after the warranty expires.

This exact issue was reported here before. The most likely cause, from what I`ve read, is a short in one of the wire bundles. There was some discussion of it in one of the GM TechLink publications. I would have the dealer start there..

Here's an excerpt from the July 2010 TechLink. Not aimed at our car but similar issue.

"Some 2009-2010 Cobalt models equipped with the configurable Driver Information Center (DIC), RPO UAF, may have several instrument cluster warning lights illuminated as well as intermittent gauge operation. DTCs P0575, U0140, U0121, U0073 and P0703 may be stored. These conditions may be caused by a pinched wire harness between the instrument panel carrier and the body mount."

 

[ck_1500]

Re: Electrical Problems-Instrument Cluster Shuts Off

I'm experiencing problems with the instrument cluster on my 2010 Lacrosse also. The other night I was cruising down the interstate, with the cruise set at 70 MPH, when the instrument cluster and message center just went black. After a few seconds the cluster rebooted as if I was starting the car, The guages did a sweep and all the warning lights came on. The parking brake light was on as well. The cruise control reset itself to 120 MPH. The rest of the vehicle was performing normal, while all this was going on. I turned off the cruise and rest it to 70 and it worked again as if nothing happened. The security light and the low tire pressure light stayed on. The tire pressures were normal, but the TPMS system is now in relearn mode. I called the dealer to get an appointment to have it checked. I love the car and all the high tech features, but this is a car, I'm afraid I can't afford to own after the warranty expires.

Update!!! Had my Lacrosse to the dealer last week. They found several codes stored/ B1325 B022A B0233 B0418 P0300 P0301. They called Tech Assist and they reprogrammed the BCM and opened a case #. They believe either the battery ran down and the vehicle was jump started sometime before I purchased it, as it came from another dealer with 270 miles on it, or the vehicle wasn't taken out of transport mode properly. I never had a battery issue since I've had the car. It seems battery issues play hell on these cars.
I was told make sure a good memory saver of a second battery is connected to the vehicle before disconnecting the battery. If the battery develops a bad cell many computer and module issues might occur. It's seem like dead batteries are going to be a big headache with these new vehicles, unless they develop some sort of a battery backup system or harden them to stop them from going brain dead. They also updated and reflashed the NAV system and the memory seat module. It's been a week now and so far no problems.

 

[kcrnmale]

Not to be pessimistic, but many of us here experienced the brief interruption with the electrical system and nobody including myself replaced their battery. I've gone over 5k miles without a re-occurrence. I've found from past experiences that the dealer will often target the cause of an intermittent problem with some BS story to placate either the car owner, or the manufacturer.

Not to say the battery wasn't the problem in your case, but I'm not convinced entirely. Either way, you got a brand new battery and brought a possible solution to the table.

I think when GM figures out the cause, they'll issue a TSB. Just by the shear number of folks here (small sample size), the problem is rather widespread among LaCrosse owners.

 

[Builder_123]

Same here. This is also my first Buick. The thing which made me move away from imports (Nissan in my case) and back to GM was the brand's reputation for reliability. I'm guessing that was the "old" GM's Buick. Now, with the "new" GM, doesn't look like maintaining a reputation for reliability was priority #1. It looks like we're back to the "let's move as many units as possible" GM.

GM needs to be aware of the fact that a bad reputation spreads like a virus in the internet age. People do their research. It's REALLY easy for someone to type "buick lacrosse problems" into Google. This forum comes up on the first page of matches. When I did my research, the forums only talked about one issue (the cold start muffler "ping"). I decided I could live with that. Had I done my research today, I'd be in a 2010/2011 Maxima.

Now, that said, all is not lost. GM recently found a correction for the radio issues I was having and corrected (new radio). There's now a bulletin posted by several users which addresses the driver seat easy exit problem I've been having. Once I get that fixed, I have no more problems. Assuming my LaCrosse stays working, I'll chalk it up to "growing pains" and be quite happy with my car.

I understand the concept of "Version 1" of any vehicle. With a new design there is the possibility for problems. The 2010 LaCrosse is a completely new design so problems may occur. As long as GM addresses them quickly, I can see myself recommending the LaCrosse to others.

I have a 2010 that i bought as "certified". I should have known better when I saw that the dealer had installed the cheapest tires known to man on it. Its had a few minor bugs and quirks all along but after this winter its just begun falling apart. I have an old Pathfinder i use as a winter beater so late november i had all the fluids changed and parked it in the driveway. That was my first major mistake. Apparently they run the drains from the moonroof through the trunk. Well lo and behold, due to freeze thaw dynamics one of the drains popped loose which resulted in the trunk filling with water. Goodbye park assist/blind side monitoring. Im usually pretty good with my hands and its well within my capabilities to make these types of repairs but theres virtually no information available and when i asked the dealer it was "bring it in". I can order and change a damn module. I dont see why i should be paying a dealer $150 so he can point a finger and say "there it is". Next up, front wheel bearing. So i change out the hub and now my stabilitrac/ABS is in the toilet. I called the dealer for advice and guess what the answer was. Next up, the horn stops working. Check the fuse, all good. Horn sounds when locking so the horn is good. Call the dealer since he horn relay is not shown in the OM and I'll bet you know the answer. Its a beautiful car, rides so well and i really like it but the lack of reliability and lack of support kill it for me.

 

[Mad*Max]

how many clicks?

I have a 2010 that i bought as "certified". I should have known better when I saw that the dealer had installed the cheapest tires known to man on it. Its had a few minor bugs and quirks all along but after this winter its just begun falling apart. I have an old Pathfinder i use as a winter beater so late november i had all the fluids changed and parked it in the driveway. That was my first major mistake. Apparently they run the drains from the moonroof through the trunk. Well lo and behold, due to freeze thaw dynamics one of the drains popped loose which resulted in the trunk filling with water. Goodbye park assist/blind side monitoring. Im usually pretty good with my hands and its well within my capabilities to make these types of repairs but theres virtually no information available and when i asked the dealer it was "bring it in". I can order and change a damn module. I dont see why i should be paying a dealer $150 so he can point a finger and say "there it is". Next up, front wheel bearing. So i change out the hub and now my stabilitrac/ABS is in the toilet. I called the dealer for advice and guess what the answer was. Next up, the horn stops working. Check the fuse, all good. Horn sounds when locking so the horn is good. Call the dealer since he horn relay is not shown in the OM and I'll bet you know the answer. Its a beautiful car, rides so well and i really like it but the lack of reliability and lack of support kill it for me.