Headlights...my car is possessed

[canadiangirl1978]

Hi there...

I'm new here. I have a 2005 Buick Allure, but live in PA. It was my dad's car and I imported it here back in August. It has roughly 122,000 miles on it.

About a week ago, I noticed that the headlights didn't go out when I turned the car off and took out the key. The rear lights would go out after the minute or so that they're supposed to stay on. On occasion, the front ones would go out, but 30 seconds later they would come back on. I turned the light switch inside the car to off (it won't stay in the off position as it's a Canadian car) but all that did was turn the dash lights off. They stayed on so long the other night the battery went dead. I disconnected the battery about an hour last night and when I reconnected it, the lights went out.

My dad had a previous light problem with this car but it had something to do with the high/low beams. His mechanic thinks it is the Daytime Running Lamp relay thing. If that's the case, since Daytime Running Lights aren't required in the US can I just take it out and leave it out and see if that works?\

Thank you!
Allie

 

[douger]

Sounds like the headlamp driver module. 15016745 is the part number. It plugs in like a relay in the underhood fuse block.

 

[canadiangirl1978]

Any idea how much that costs? I'm guessing it's something I could do myself?

 

[douger]

Any idea how much that costs? I'm guessing it's something I could do myself?

About sixty bucks. It looks like a relay and plugs into the underhood fuse block.

 

[oskaramir]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Headlight-R...ash=item20fe8abf7c:g:PnoAAOSwT6pVpJrr&vxp=mtr

 

[canadiangirl1978]

Would that faulty switch cause my headlights to come on again after being off for an hour? I went to the store, after of course the battery was dead from the daylight running lights not going out, and when I got back they went out, but an hour later they came back on. I had to unplug the battery again or risk them coming back on in the middle of the night and the battery being dead again in the morning. Meanwhile, I drove it earlier, parked it for 6 hours and no lights stayed on and the battery wasn't dead. Also, I have no problems with the locks or trunk.

I was all set to go buy that part tomorrow but am wondering if that will be a waste of $35.

 

[FD611V]

Allie, here is a bit of information that may solve your headlights staying on after you stop the car. Under the hood on the passenger side is a fuse box. It may be a little difficult to get it open, but it will open. Printed under the fuse box lid you will see what fuses/relays and their location.
When you stop the car and the headlight stay on, open the hood and open the fuse box. Look for Fuse #35. Micro-Relay HDM. It is Black in color and have #15016745 stamped on it.. It's called a Micro-Relay HDM module. Go to Advance Auto Zone....if you have one near you and ask the counter person to look up GM Part #15016745 (or one they have to match this item) and should your headlights still be on, have them to put the new fuse it and start the car to see if the headlights go off after the short delay that is on the car. The #35 HDM fuse probably cost you $35.00 of it shuts off the lights. If it don't shut off the headlights, don't buy the fuse as there is another problem somewhere is the electrical system.

From your message I feel you just might become a auto mechanic.

 

[canadiangirl1978]

So I replaced that relay switch...#35 in the fuse box. That solved the lights staying on. But now I have high beams and no low beams. Can't turn them on manually...nothing. I have no idea why this happening now. My dad said it happened to him once when he was driving...they just went out and wouldn't come back on. But he still had the highs.

Help?!

 

[FD611V]

Just for thought, the 2005-2006 Buick Lacrosse cars had a real bad headlight problem. But, knowing GM they won't recall these 60 billions cars as it would put GM in a "broke financially" situation. It's all due to the electrical wiring system that is causing yours and many millions the same problem(s)

However, lets try something. Open the car door and on the left side of the instrument panel there you will fine your light switches controls. Start the car and turn your high beam light off by the multi function control that is on the steering column. That would be you have to push it forward to make the high beam light come on. Click the HB off, and work the two light knobs on the left panel to see the Daytime Running Lights come on. If they come on, leave the controls knobs alone....no change here. Now, click on the high beam to see if the Daytime Running Lights go off. If they do, the problem is in the "multi function control switch that is on the steering column.

Reply if that doesn't work. Don't take it to a deal as they love $800.00 bills.

 

[canadiangirl1978]

They did not go off. This car is driving me bonkers lol and not making me any friends around the town at night lol

 

[FD611V]

So I replaced that relay switch...#35 in the fuse box. That solved the lights staying on. But now I have high beams and no low beams. Can't turn them on manually...nothing. I have no idea why this happening now. My dad said it happened to him once when he was driving...they just went out and wouldn't come back on. But he still had the highs.

Help?!

First of all, do you have the Owner's manual that came with the car? If so, read all the information on the "Exteriors Lamps" lighting starting on page 3-13. Read the section where it shows the AUTO (Automatic) on how to turn off this feature. All this can be done from the control switch on the left side of instrument panel. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Automatic headlamp System may be causing your problem. Although, this DRL may not have been installed on cars sold in Canada.

In you last posting, you said the replacing of the Micro- Replay #35 did the trick so the headlamps did not stay on after shutting down the engine, but, you still don't have any low beams, only the high beams are lit up. Try shutting off the high beams by moving the Multifunction lever ( lever with turn signals, windshield washer controls on it) forward (away from you) to see if the lights go off. Then turn the exterior light knob on the dash to off or to automatic to see the low beams come on. If all this doesn't have any results, it may be you have to take it to a expert who knows how to remedy the problem.

 

[FD611V]

They did not go off. This car is driving me bonkers lol and not making me any friends around the town at night lol

I looked up complaints on 2005 Buick Allure, and this link came up.

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Buick/LaCrosse/2005/lights/exterior_lighting-headlights.shtml

NHTSA Campaign number 14V75000 appears to be the solution to the problem if you can get a dealer to fix it.

 

[FD611V]

They did not go off. This car is driving me bonkers lol and not making me any friends around the town at night lol

Click on this website and call a Buick dealer and give them the VIN number. It may be on recall list.

http://repairpal.com/recall/14V755000

and this one where you can enter the VIN Number

http://bestride.com/blog/nhtsa-recall-update-september-21-2015/24680/

 

[canadiangirl1978]

I do not have the owners manual. But I went to the NHTSA website and put in the VIN number and it is in fact part of the recall. Long story short, I imported this car from Canada where my parents live and I had to get a letter from GM stating it was safe etc. There was an open recall then and they wouldn't safety certify it until it was fixed. It was taken to the dealer and something was fixed. But I'll have to ask my dad what it was. I'm going to call a local GM dealer tomorrow and see what they say. I believe daytime running lights are required by law in canada.

Thanks for pointing me in the correct direction.

 

[FD611V]

You can download and print pdf format of a 2005 Buick Lacrosse owner's manual online. Just type 2005 Buick Lacrosse Owner's manual. Just print what is important , such as how to work the heat, air, and other items of interest.

Hope you get some results from the dealer you called, and get the car repaired.

 

[HotZ28]

http://www.vadengmpp.com/owners-manual/buick/2005-Buick-Lacrosse.pdf