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Buick Rainier Repairs

254 messages,  Last post on Apr 30, 2013 at 9:19 AM

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What is this discussion about? Buick Rainier, Auto Repair, SUV

Messages Page 18 of 26

#167 of 254 2005 Buick Rainier -Probblems w/fuel pump, AWD - Need advice - Please help by mstowers

Aug 16, 2011 (12:45 pm)

2005 Buick Rainier, V6, AWD. I'm having a few problems wth it and hoping to get some good advice. I was downsized by my employer, so I really can't afford for trial and error. Please help. I need my car.
 
1. My gas gauge stop working about 2 years ago
       - My daughter ran it out of gas for the 1st time about 2 weeks ago
       - My car wouldn't start after that
       * We replaced the battery and the fuel pump unit and it still won't start?
 
2. I know a mechanic and he came to my home to replace the above. He now says it may need a relay switch replaced and that we would need to get a diagnostic. The problems is. We would need to pay for it to be towed and for the diagnostic. Do you think it could be the relay switch?
   
3. Somebody told me there's a fuel pump shut off switch? Make sure it's turned on. We looked in the manual and can't find where it's at? Does anyone know where it's located?
 
4. Any other advice would be appreciated?
 
AWD Problems
 
1. When I back up, mostly on an incline and turn my wheel tight. The rear end makes some kind of scraping noise. I've had 4 mechanics look at the AWD and they say it's fine. That the wheels just aren't turning at the same time and that's what's causing the noise. There's nothing wrong with it and not to worry. It hasn't always done that, so it couldn't be normal plus....
 
  - It's very scary to drive in the winter. It slides even when I'm driving at slow speed turning corners and stopping. I ditched it last winter and I have never ditched a car in the 30 years I've been driving. I replaced the tires hoping that would help, but it didn't. It's my only car, but, I'm afraid to drive it this winter : (
 
- That's not a normal noise for an AWD and it shouldn't drive in the winter like that, right? Any suggestions?
 
Any advice or suggestions would be highly appreciated. Thanks a bunch for your help.

#168 of 254 Re: 2005 Buick Rainier -Probblems w/fuel pump, AWD - Need advice - Please help [mstowers] by gmcustsvc

Aug 16, 2011 (1:26 pm)

Replying to: mstowers (Aug 16, 2011 12:45 pm)
mstowers,
 
Could you please email me your VIN and contact information? I would like to look further into your situation.
 
You can get my email by clicking on gmcustsvc.
 
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service

#169 of 254 Re: '06 Rainer Front Differential [ms_assertive] by mlknop86

Aug 29, 2011 (3:45 pm)

Replying to: ms_assertive (Oct 06, 2009 6:23 pm)
We just had he front differential quit on us in our '06 Rainier yesterday while going down the expressway. We had it towed to the dealership and they are going to be working on it for a while it sounds like, and it's still up in the air as to whether or not it's covered by our extended warranty.

#170 of 254 Re: Vacuum sound [aussienut] by johnhatebuick

Sep 06, 2011 (9:18 pm)

Replying to: aussienut (Aug 09, 2011 12:05 pm)
This is the air compressor running that controls your rear air ride suspension I think.

#171 of 254 Problems with my 2005 Buick Rainier by dcraig09

Sep 12, 2011 (1:27 pm)

I have a 2005 Buick Rainier with 62,000 mi.. I purchased the vehicle about 2 years ago and I have had almost nothing but trouble ever since. The SUV I thought would be a reliable and worthwhile investment has turned into a never ending headache and drain on my bank account. Here is the list of problems I have had with this SUV:
 
1. At 60,000 mi. the front differential went bad. Total repair cost was about $2,200 from a local auto mechanic (the Buick dealership in my area quoted $3,200 for the same work/warranty).
 
2. At 55,000 mi. the gas gauge stopped working. It constantly reads empty, resulting in constant headache and concern. I just ran out of gas for the first time and decided I need to have it fixed. Estimated cost from my local auto mechanic, $360. (again, the Buick dealership in my area quoted $450 for the same work).
 
3. At slow or idling speeds, I notice that the headlights and other electrical lights in the vehicle often dim and then get bright again, correlating with a lapse and surge in power in the car.
 
4. The check engine light comes on for brief periods of time, and after having the vehicle hooked up to the computer at Auto Zone and checked, the problem was identified as a problem with the cooling system. I replaced the part that was causing the problem at a local auto mechanic for $160, however, this did not solve the problem of the check engine light coming on, so they took the new part back out and put the old part back in and did not charge me (however, I still have the problem and it had to spend the time taking it to get if "fixed").
 
5. The power steering dipstick rusted through and came, requiring some effort to retrieve the end of the dipstick and $15 replacement dipstick for it.
 
6. The air conditioning does not maintain cool air when idling or driving at slow speeds.
 
7. The center console in the interior of the car does not stay latched. The replacement lid for the console was from the local Buick dealership was about $150 (possibly more, I don't remember). Needless to say, I did not want to pay that kind of money for such a small, albeit annoying, problem, so I found a way to "fix" the problem with a piece of cardboard and a rubber band.
 
I will no longer be purchasing GM vehicles. I am a nursing student working 2 jobs to pay for my school and other necessities, and this vehicle (which I am still currently paying for) has only added to the large amount of stress and debt I already have in my life. I have invested so much into this car I would like get my money out of it and have it be the vehicle I hoped it would, but as it stands, this vehicle only runs correctly long enough to get me to the next mechanic. I would also like to stress how disappointed I have been in the inflated prices for repairs from the dealership. Overall, I am a very dissatisfied owner.

#172 of 254 Re: Problems with my 2005 Buick Rainier [dcraig09] by mom0423

Sep 12, 2011 (6:39 pm)

Replying to: dcraig09 (Sep 12, 2011 1:27 pm)
I have a 2004 Rainier. You would think they would've solved a few of those issues by the next year, but that's a big NO. I will give them credit in that some of the problems don't appear right away. The biggest pet peeve is their lack to acknowledge the problems. We are all having these problems and spent ALOT of money for these vehicles. They could care less. Every time I post on here I get one of those messages from a "customer service rep" trying to make it look like they care. When GM closed all these dealerships they left me with no one within a decent radius to take my vehicle to if I DID want to spend the money on having the dealership do the repair. I had no choice but to have a local repair shop do the work and so now the "CSR" says it's no longer GM's problem. We have Hondas besides this vehicle and I have NEVER had an issue with Honda refusing to warranty a problem. Even if a local repair shop worked on it they STILL do everything they can to honor a warranty issue. And we are supposed to buy American? We too repaired the differential problem and now we are dealing with an electrical issue. Initially we thought it was the cluster panel in the dash, but it's actually a short in the electrical system but can't pinpoint the location yet. It may be the cause of your fuel gauge. I'll give you a futuristic view to help: various gauges in the cluster panel will randomly stop working. We initially thought it was the cluster panel but we noticed other minor electrical issues. The battery will not recharge regularly. What's worse, running out of gas or a dead battery? (ridiculous that we should appreciate something like that, isn't it??!!) My cell phone doesn't charge or doesn't charge as quickly as it does in another vehicle. I haven't noticed the lights dimming, so I'm not sure. I'm wondering if it was initiated by the differential repair work, as I noticed most of these problems started just after the differential work was done. A guy at Auto Zone recommended I take it to a specific dealership because a guy he knows there is excellent with electrical issues. Let me know if you find out anything else.

#173 of 254 Re: Stuck in 4Wheel Drive? [_jasoon] by mom0423

Sep 12, 2011 (6:45 pm)

Replying to: _jasoon (Jun 18, 2011 2:12 am)
Ah, the GM CSR wants to know if they can help.
I'm with you, it's ridiculous that you have to go to a dealership that far away. I seriously doubt it is from the accident. Mine did the same thing and I have NEVER been in any type of fender bender with this vehicle. It's the differential. And sorry, it's not cheap no matter where you opt to have it done.

#174 of 254 BUick Ranier 2005 by nanacakes3

Sep 20, 2011 (7:00 am)

I have a 2005 Buick Ranier and yesterday I was pulling into a parking space and the car seemed like it didn't want to turn and the engine was vibrating hard. Also when I go in reverse and am turning slow it seems like it is hard to turn and wheels are slipping. I guess I'm going to have to take it to the dealer and pay a high fee to get looked at and tell me what's wrong. I really can't afford alot since I am on disabilty and have a hard time paying for other things. Anyone have any sugguestions what it could be, so maybe I can suggust to dealer to check?

#175 of 254 Re: BUick Ranier 2005 [nanacakes3] by gmcustsvc

Sep 20, 2011 (8:54 am)

Replying to: nanacakes3 (Sep 20, 2011 7:00 am)
nanacakes3,
 
I apologize for the problems you are experiencing with your vehicle. Please keep us posted on any information from the dealership.
 
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service

#176 of 254 Re: Problems with my 2005 Buick Rainier [dcraig09] by 2war

Sep 21, 2011 (8:48 am)

Replying to: dcraig09 (Sep 12, 2011 1:27 pm)
Hi
 
I see we are going through the same problem.
I purchased a Buick Rainier 04 in 2007 and this car is driving me crazy.
Like yours, I have faced numerous problems. I'm still paying this car also.
I was in school during the last 2 years and it was so hard to make the payment because I was working part time. Fall 2009 I had a catalytic converter broken. I took it to the GM dealer since other mechanics couldn't fix it. I paid roughly $2000. This year (between Mars and May) I had to change first the Front wheel bearing driver side and later the passenger.
Now the car had front differential leaking. I went to see a mechanic I know who told me to take it to the dealer because he wasn't able to find where the leaking comes from (pinpoint). The GM dealer said he needs to rebuild the differential (cost of reparation $2,400). I can't do it. What is confusing I went to see Pepboys and they said the cost will be roughly $1,500., they stated that the rack and pinion was rotted and leaking. When I went to see the first mechanic to ask him if he can do it, he said the diagnosis of Pepboys isn't accurate. He said he doesn't see the link between the rack and pinion rotted and the differential leaking. I'm not a technician I don't know. I just want to get rid of this car right now, the problem is my credit score is bad now. I have so many delinquincies accounts sent on collection (credit card) and I still owe around $4,000 for the car.... Like you I'm not going to pay anymore GM car for the rest of my life... The fluid differential leaks a little when the car is parked not while driving. I don't know how can I fix it when you have two different diagnosis. I thought it was a good car when I purchased it, but my opinion has changed since.

Messages Page 18 of 26

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