Ask the Car People.SM


Buick LaCrosse

2335 messages,  Last post on Aug 02, 2011 at 5:53 AM

You are in the Buick LaCrosse Forum.

What is this discussion about? Buick LaCrosse, Sedan

Messages Page 230 of 234

#2286 of 2335 Re: CX VS CXS [lacrossesoaked] by kplacer

May 30, 2010 (10:30 am)

Replying to: lacrossesoaked (Jan 22, 2010 8:21 am)
This is not quite as long as your initial follow-up but still very late. However, the only thing that had been bothering me about my '09 was a plasticky rattle that my ear was telling me was coming from the underside of the dash, possibly right-center. I had also found that it only happened when the heater controls were directing air to the dash vents, as the sound disappeared when it was set to floor-only. I feared a problem with the heater box air distribution mechanism under the dash, something that would be very dicey to ask a dealer to fix properly.
 
Last week I discovered the issue and that I had been fooled by the location. The center dash air vents each have a roller wheel that controls whether or not the vents are sending full velocity of air to the passengers, are closed entirely, or somewhere in between. The roller wheel controls go to the top to open the vents entirely, but there is a detent and if you push it thru that they lock into the full open position. Mine was at the detent but had not been pushed past it. For some reason that was the cause of the rattle. I could roll the wheel down slightly and the rattle would disappear, or push it past the detent into the full-open locked position and also lose the rattle. It was just that one spot where it rattled. I felt both relieved and a bit silly to think that I had feared this rattle would drive me nuts for years. Hope this helps.

#2287 of 2335 Re: CX VS CXS [kplacer] by lacrossesoaked

May 31, 2010 (8:31 am)

Replying to: kplacer (May 30, 2010 10:30 am)
Thank you for the info!! My wife is on a road trip with the car. I am going to call her and have her try your suggestions. In the past, I have tried messing with the vent postions but it did not seem to have an effect. However, the "detent" aspect may provide some relief if only in the locked position.

#2288 of 2335 2010 Buick Lacrosse steering noise by edoggy777

May 31, 2010 (10:21 pm)

I have a fully loaded CXS and I'm getting an occasional humming sound from the steering system. It almost sounds like its low on fluid (which its not). Usually happens when i'm parking or maneuvering at very slow speeds. Just wondering if anyone had a similar experience. Love the car and everything else is working great.

#2289 of 2335 Re: CX VS CXS [kplacer] by lacrossesoaked

Jun 10, 2010 (8:35 am)

Replying to: kplacer (May 30, 2010 10:30 am)
The car is back home now and my wife advises she fixed the rattle/buzz near the vent to the left of the steering column and when she fixed that, the rattle/buzz in the center vents disappeared also (sound transfer?). Her solution was to insert a large silver paper clip length-wise between the silver trim strip and dash---very close to the vent located left of the steering column. No noise for the 1300 miles she traveled after she inserted the paper clip. The clip fits flush with the trim strip, barely noticeable.

#2290 of 2335 Re: CX VS CXS [lacrossesoaked] by kplacer

Jun 10, 2010 (2:28 pm)

Replying to: lacrossesoaked (Jun 10, 2010 8:35 am)
I'm glad the noise is gone! I think there may be some issues with that dash design. Last Friday someone got into the passenger seat and rode with me for a short time. After they departed I heard a small but annoying rattle somewhere on that side. I got in, couldn't find it, so resorted to just thumping with my hand all the surfaces he could have disturbed. Whatever it was, it fixed it as the rattle went away.

#2291 of 2335 Rattle by lacrossesoaked

Jun 11, 2010 (7:06 am)

Replying to: kplacer (Jun 10, 2010 2:28 pm)
I suspect you are correct: design issues with the dash which create these noises. I have read of similar problems on other websites. Something akin to not having the proper fasteners or spacers or washers whereby after a while, something becomes a little loose and the vibrations begin. Then, by us owners resorting to paper clips and hand-thumping, we are able to re-seat whatever it was which was loose. However, I expect our fixes are not permanent. I will make sure I have several paper clips and a rubber mallet in the trunk.

#2292 of 2335 Re: CX VS CXS [kplacer] by cooterbfd

Jun 11, 2010 (12:50 pm)

Replying to: kplacer (Jun 10, 2010 2:28 pm)
"......After they departed I heard a small but annoying rattle somewhere on that side. I got in, couldn't find it,"
 
Sometimes, in a situation like that, it could be as simple as the person getting out and the metal latch on the seat belt resting up against some plastic trim. You got in, and just by brushing up against the seat belt moved it, and no more rattle.

#2293 of 2335 Re: 2010 Buick Lacrosse steering noise [edoggy777] by bart55

Sep 07, 2010 (1:43 pm)

Replying to: edoggy777 (May 31, 2010 10:21 pm)
I'm occasionally getting the same sound from the steering at slow speeds, mostly when maneuvering in a parking lot. The dealership can't duplicate it, so they say they can't fix it. My son is a Lexus technician. He drove it and made it happen 3 times in about 5 minutes, but then neither of us could duplicate it again.

#2294 of 2335 Re: 2010 Buick Lacrosse steering noise [bart55] by edoggy777

Sep 08, 2010 (4:51 pm)

Replying to: bart55 (Sep 07, 2010 1:43 pm)
Hi Bart,
 
I have an answer for you. I was able to duplicate it with my dealer. Apparently GM/Buick is aware of the problem but does not have a solution just yet. Ask your dealer to look up #PI0172 (thats a zero). When I took my LaCrosse in they added more power steering fluid (above the full line). It helped reduce the instances of the noise. The way I was able to duplicate it was making a sharp left turn then with a sudden stop, putting the car in revers and turning the steering wheel to the right. I know its a little confusing but it worked for me. Additionally, there is a Document ID with the notice: 2498553. They should be able to look that up. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

#2295 of 2335 Re: 2010 Buick Lacrosse steering noise [edoggy777] by tom2246

Sep 08, 2010 (7:53 pm)

Replying to: edoggy777 (May 31, 2010 10:21 pm)
This is a known problem on the car with magnetic steering assist. Your dealer should check it out but basically they won't do anything till they have it figured - which they probably do and are trying to find the cheapest solution.
Check my posts. Several others have the same issue.

Messages Page 230 of 234

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement