My Buick will stall and die while driving it. It has done this countless times in the past two years… it has been parked now for over six months.

[Primo48]

Why does my Lucerne’s engine stall while it’s driving.?

 

[HotZ28]

When it stalls, will it start back up, or do you have to wait 20-30 min for it to start again? I assume you have the 3.8L engine?

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Not sure as no vehicle details or history are given. Is there a CEL, has the vehicle been scanned for any codes, mileage, has a shop ever looked at the problem over the years?

Not sure what the "parked for 6 months" is related to. Guessing only, the fuel pump or electrical problem as in the fuse, relays or fuse box but based only on the brief description.

 

[paul8539]

I have had that problem also (Northstar V8). I went to the shop, and they put in a new catalytic converter. That seemed to solve most of it. Bit it is still happening intermittently. The shop said to being it in, and they will try something else.

In my case, it usually stalls when I am stopped, at a light or something. It just starts right back up again.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Did you have a CEL on, did the shop do a scan prior to replacing the convertor, just asking on how they can to that was the problem.

 

[G-823897]

I took it to a shop, and they did a scan. They said that if it was not the converter, then they would try something else, so they replaced the converter.

The new one they put in was what they called a 'universal catalytic converter', one that would supposedly work on almost any car. It lasted about a week. I was out of town and tried to get back, but I could not get over 40MPH on the highway, with the accelerator pedal floored and running almost 4000 RPM. I took it to another shop (out of town) and they replaced it with another converter; this one seems to run better. $600 dollars for the second one.

My Northstar burned out the 'universal' converter in a week. LESSON LEARNED: Do not put a 'universal' catalytic converter on a Northstar.

Still getting the intermittent stalling and Stabilitrack codes.

 

[G-203957]

When it stalls, will it start back up, or do you have to wait 20-30 min for it to start again? I assume you have the 3.8L engine?

yup but it will start right BK up n my radiator is racked n I been fixing it I just don't understand

 

[silvex]

Check the ICM ground wire (#2). Right under the ICM. It is known to cause stalls. It did on mine 2007 Buick lucerne. Over time it looses its plastic/insulation and causes shorts and stalls the car. There will be no codes since the whole car dies.

 

[rondun55buick10]

yup but it will start right BK up n my radiator is racked n I been fixing it I just don't understand

I have a 2010 that stalls suddenly also. It only restarts after more than five minutes of waiting. Never hesitates to start when it's been sitting all day or overnight. Did you find a remedy for your situation?

 

[dwd]

I have had that problem also (Northstar V8). I went to the shop, and they put in a new catalytic converter. That seemed to solve most of it. Bit it is still happening intermittently. The shop said to being it in, and they will try something else.

In my case, it usually stalls when I am stopped, at a light or something. It just starts right back up again.

 

[dwd]

paul8539: Did you ever figure out what was going on as my 2006 cxs Northstar is doing the same exact thing? thanks dwd

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

On 2008 up Lucerne's the rear seat fuse box fuel pump relay is a good suspect. It's been posted, TSB and GM replacement that is no longer available. Otherwise it's best guessing with not being on site or any additional information.

 

[dwd]

On 2008 up Lucerne's the rear seat fuse box fuel pump relay is a good suspect. It's been posted, TSB and GM replacement that is no longer available. Otherwise it's best guessing with not being on site or any additional informatio

 

[dwd]

I have not replaced the fuel pump relay but have looked at it and at the under side of the box and nothing looks like it has been hot.

 

[DrivenDaily]

When "looking" at it, did you pull the relay out? If so, when you plugged it back in, that action all by itself could have cleaned any corrosion off of the terminals so that it now works better. You can pull it and re-insert it several times to improve the cleaning.

If it still didn't get better, swap that relay for another one to see if the issue persists or if it moves to a new system.

 

[dwd]

I did pull it out and will try the several times method. Thanks

 

[dwd]

Swapped relays. While they were out I made sure the pins/legs were bright and shiny. Time will tell. Thanks, dwd

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Problem and years are getting confused here, 08 and up are the years with the fuse box problem, 06-07 do not have this issue that is in the GM TSB.

Getting a professional scan if not done already, not the box store, that would read the current and stored codes. Also be mindful that some problems only relate to the actual engine 3.8L, 3.9L or NS and may not apply to all Lucerne's or MY. For additional information check the Cadillac DTS forum on NS issue as it's a larger group of owners with the NS.

 

[Musician]

Hello fellow Lucerne and DTS owners. The problem that GM did not, would not address is that the female contacts in the fuse box did not grip the connections to the relays and fuses tightly enough. The higher current through the relay only exacerbated the issue. I had the issue and did the "busy" work by cutting and filing and adding the shorter relay, but to no avail. The ONLY correction to work was to order and install a new fuse box. This is NOT a difficult process. The check of course is to pull on the relay in the original box and then on the new box and feel the difference. I hope that a new box is still available from GM. BTW as a further help I installed a small 12v computer fan to the box to provide some cooling air. The electrical connections are to the "RUN" fuse. So far (knock on wood) there has not been another stalling or starting problem. And yes I am angry with GM since the stall could occur while driving and cause a dangerous situation, this SHOULD have been a recall.

 

[G-680896]

Hello, yes I have a 2012 Lacrosse and it is not only stalling on me but also making this terrible ticking or knocking sound. Sometimes it goes into limp mode. Sometimes it shuts off completely at stop lights. Sometimes the check engine light comes on but will go away after sitting for a while. It’s so frustrating. I’m so tired of this crap. Any advice?