2011 Lacrosse Trunk Mysteriously Opens

[misterfixit]

Is that your final answer?

 

[MMA1]

I didn't understand the severity and frequency of this problem until I went to get into my 2010 yesterday and the trunk was wide open. There was light rain in the air and I wasn't very happy. Trunk was apparently open all night. Funny thing is, when you hit the trunk release button on my fob the trunk pops but doesn't even open. With those huge hinges, i figured they would have strong enough springs on it to open the trunk lid. This is a real problem because sometimes I keep my laptop and other expensive items in the trunk. Vehicle doesnt do me much good if it isn't secure enough to haul my belongings.

 

[misterfixit]

Buick knows about this problem and refuses to do anything about it. Others besides me have submitted complaints about it.

 

[HMTJ6821]

By the way, I opened the fuse panel access "cover" on the left side of the trunk lining and found that the spring does not have any adjustment holes on the arm that raises the trunk lid. However, I noted that the spring--at least the one on the left-- was stuffed inside the windings with a grey foam rubber substance. It may be there just to quiet the spring as the trunk lid is raised or closed OR might it be to change the spring rate characteristics so that the trunk lid does not open up completely when released?

This might explain why some of us report that the trunk lid opens completely while others just unlatch. Given the variability in the button sensitivity of the key fob remote, I would just as soon leave mine at the "just release" state.

 

[BIG ROCCO]

1. Interesting - it's a coil spring? I thought it would be a torsion bar spring - that type usually had 3 positions on each side - something like this:
2. http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/att...sion-spring-assembly-trunk-spring-mount-1.jpg

I think the foam is probably mostly a noise suppressor, but may be a form of damper as well

 

[misterfixit]

If you are planning on purchasing a new GM car make sure you have somewhere to put your keys instead of in your pockets. If you keep them in your pocket you are subject to lose everything in your trunk. I have a 2011 Buick Lacrosse with a sensitive key fob. I have asked if they could program a delay so that the button would have to be held in for a couple of seconds before the trunk would open, or program it so that the trunk would not open with the doors locked, or the button would have to be pressed twice before the trunk would open. GM's final answer is to not keep the keys in my pocket.

 

[kxlexus]

It is really not a big deal for me. I had this happen a couple times when I first bought the car. I figured out what was causing the problem, started keeping the fob in the other pocket, which is otherwise empty, and it hasn't happened since. Problem solved and I haven't worried about it anymore. My car has the push button start so I never have to use the key anyway.

 

[krafty81]

Think they fixed the issue with the 2012 fob. Just had one overnight with no problems.

 

[misterfixit]

Think they fixed the issue with the 2012 fob. Just had one overnight with no problems.

I don't think they have. It will take more than a day to find out. Mine usually only opens about once every two to three weeks. GM's answer is to not keep the keys in my pocket.

 

[misterfixit]

Buick Customer Service: Can't GM come up with a custom mod like a keyswitch inside the car to disable the trunk from opening with the fob? I am willing to pay for such a mod.

 

[InfiniteImp]

Buick Customer Service: Can't GM come up with a custom mod like a keyswitch inside the car to disable the trunk from opening with the fob? I am willing to pay for such a mod.

Not going to happen. If they won't do something as simple as extend the delay in the driver seat auto-return functionality (which would be a simple program code change) you can bet they won't be introducing a new keyswitch for you.

You can keep flogging that horse but it's not going to change anything. This one is in your hands to resolve. The only thing I could think of doing if I was having this problem would be to cut the trace in the fob going to the trunk release. Unfortunately this would totally disable the functionality but it would resolve your problem. For me this would not matter as I have yet to use the remote trunk open more than 2 times since I bought the car. I always use the passive auto-trunk-unlock (where you hold the trunk open pad until it self-unlocks).

 

[92sub]

Find a good electrical tech and have him rewire the trunk solenoid from battery voltage to ignition-ON only. Should be able to perform this task at the fuse panel and probably without touching the OEM wiring (remove fuse install inline fuse holder sourced to ign-ON source).

 

[Tduke57]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised given my history with my 2010 CXS "lemon" but I have now experienced this phenomenon 3-4 times in the last 24 hours. The last 2 absolutely were not accidental "pocket activations" as the keys were in the house and locked away. Now I guess I'll have to bungee the lid closed or something from inside to make sure it doesn't come open independently. Has anyone gotten a dealer to address this?

 

[pogster]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised given my history with my 2010 CXS "lemon" but I have now experienced this phenomenon 3-4 times in the last 24 hours. The last 2 absolutely were not accidental "pocket activations" as the keys were in the house and locked away. Now I guess I'll have to bungee the lid closed or something from inside to make sure it doesn't come open independently. Has anyone gotten a dealer to address this?

Some dealers are better than others. Let us know what yours does.

 

[misterfixit]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised given my history with my 2010 CXS "lemon" but I have now experienced this phenomenon 3-4 times in the last 24 hours. The last 2 absolutely were not accidental "pocket activations" as the keys were in the house and locked away. Now I guess I'll have to bungee the lid closed or something from inside to make sure it doesn't come open independently. Has anyone gotten a dealer to address this?

They have had some problems with bad touch switches above the license plate on the trunk. However these wouldn't cause the trunk to open if the car doors were locked. The dealer replaced the switch on my trunk but I think the problem with mine is the sensitive button on the remote. I put a snap hook on the key ring and my wife is now wearing the keys from her belt loop. Since she has been doing this It hasn't opened on her.

The problem I have is the attitude that Buick Customer Service has towards it's customers.

 

[Mad*Max]

You know, my trunk has never actually swung open when I've hit the trunk open button. I have no spoiler on mine. I don't know if there is some other issue at play but in my case when I unlock the trunk, I hear a click and beyond that I need to raise the trunk by hand. Once it gets past the 45 degree point it will rise on its own but not otherwise. It's never actually bothered me (my Maxima worked the same way) but I wonder what's different about my trunk such that it doesn't swing open on its own.

my trunk opens all the way on its own

 

[InfiniteImp]

my trunk opens all the way on its own

Interesting. I paid closer attention and in my case, I don't have to lift the trunk very high in order for it to open the rest of the way.... maybe 10 or 15 degrees. Just a little push basically. It's almost as if it was just a LITTLE too heavy to open on its own. Since there is apparently no spring adjustment, I have to wonder if the spring on mine is just a little weaker than some others?

In any case, it doesn't matter. I almost never use the remote trunk release, I just use the pressure pad.

 

[misterfixit]

By the way Tduke57, Buick has a TSB out on the trunk release switch.

TSB Reference #PI-0185A

 

[Tduke57]

Thanks for the TSB sir. Last night it did it again, this time in concert with opening the drivers side rear door. Again, keys in the house car already unlocked from when I exited earlier. I'm headed to the dealer tomorrow so we'll see.

 

[Tduke57]

I gave my dealer the TSB number and they are ordering the new switch and should have it by tomorrow. We'll see if that fixes the problem. Thanks again!