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Saturn Vue Electrical Problems

80 messages,  Last post on Oct 23, 2009 at 12:47 PM

You are in the Saturn VUE Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? Saturn VUE, SUV


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#47 of 80
by matrixgirl09
Aug 05, 2008 (4:03 am)
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Before i traded the vue in the battery was replaced. Then that coolant light came on as well. It did look like the battery light so you aren't the only one.
#48 of 80
Re: A "Possessed" VUE [deddles] by e4400
Dec 05, 2008 (8:04 pm)
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Replying to: deddles (Jun 19, 2008 10:39 am)

I too have a "possessed" VUE. However, my problems occur when it's cold outside. Typically when it gets below freezing the car alarm will go off and then my doors will remain unlocked (this is typically at night). When I get in my car the next morning, the interior lights will not turn off and the doors will not lock, almost as if it's not recognizing that the doors are shut. As the car gets warmer, the lights flicker on and off as the doors lock and unlock. I too have taken my car into the dealership and they cannot recreate the problem. I am starting my fourth winter with this car and this problem and I am going to leave it at the dealership for a week because the problem is getting worse.
#49 of 80
Body control module by crazytastyred
Jan 03, 2009 (8:47 pm)
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Just to add my two cents on the issue, as I have just had my BCM replaced...
 
about two months prior to the final diagnosis and replacement, the dashboard lights started flashing at random. The problem went away after a day. Then in December 2008 they began flashing again, this time persisting every time I drove over 30 minutes. There was no rhyme or reason; they would flash while I was speeding down the highway or sitting still at a red light. Then all four of my gauges started to dip during the time the lights were flashing. I never lost power to the engine. I could accelerate while the gauges were zeroed out. I had Vera - I named my VUE. Don't make fun - in for testing and the techs couldn't find any codes from the computer, so they had me look for a pattern in the flashing and dipping.
I had a six hour drive across New York the next day and still found no pattern. I bought a new battery after Advance Auto said I had a bad one, since I drive a five-year old vehicle and it seemed like it was probably time to replace it. This didn't fix the issue. Nothing seemed to cause the issue. I drove her until the flashing and dipping became more frequent, then I'd pull over for 20-30 minutes for a break.
After the return trip six hours back home, I had stopped to get an unrelated part from a salvage yard and when I came back out, Vera wouldn't start. After holding my breath and finally getting her started again, I was able to wheel into the dealer - without an appointment, even - where they diagnosed again and hallelujah! found codes that indicated the BCM.
So now I have a sparkly new battery and BCM and I've noticed that little things have changed. Where the running lamps used to only flash twice when I unlock the vehicle with the keyless remote, they now stay on. And when the doors are open and I hit the lock button on the inside of the door, she dings. I close the doors and they don't lock until a few seconds after. Before, they would lock automatically when I'd lock them with the interior door button. The headlights and interior lights seem brighter, too. I had to get new remotes because the old ones wouldn't work with the new BCM, so I'm attributing all these new things to that.
#50 of 80
Re: Body control module [crazytastyred] by 1gettinginfo
Jan 03, 2009 (10:21 pm)
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Replying to: crazytastyred (Jan 03, 2009 8:47 pm)

What exactly is the BCM? I have recently seen half of my dash not lighting up, but about 10-15 minutes later it will be fully illuminated. So I'm not sure if blinking may be next. Just wanting to be fully educated.
#51 of 80
Re: Body control module [1gettinginfo] by crazytastyred
Jan 04, 2009 (12:45 pm)
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Replying to: 1gettinginfo (Jan 03, 2009 10:21 pm)

My understanding is there are a couple modules that control our VUEs. The body control module (BCM) is the brain that takes care of all things dealing with communication. This communication is both direct - to us, like the dashboard lights - and indirect - when we click the switch to turn on the wiper blades, the BCM takes that command and tells the wiper blades to work, so we're not actually turning on the blades. We tell the BCM to turn on the blades.
There's also an engine control module, which I'm not educated on at all but I assume basically monitors the engine and all things related to the engine and the hamster that runs in the wheel to propel the engine. Hopefully I never have to find out more about that one and mine just keeps on running.
The issues that I had leading up to the replacement of my BCM never included what you described, with only some of my dash lighting up.
If I were you, I would continue to monitor your dashboard for patterns. Does it start out only half illuminated all the time? Does your speed or road condition have anything to do with it? Etc... If your engine doesn't lose power and your vehicle starts on the first try and otherwise operates just fine and you feel comfortable, maybe it's a loose wire behind your control panel. If you don't feel safe, the technicians can try to look for codes from your vehicle's computer. I think that diagnosis alone costs about $50.
#52 of 80
Re: A "Possessed" VUE [e4400] by laglenn98
Jan 28, 2009 (1:46 pm)
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Replying to: e4400 (Dec 05, 2008 8:04 pm)

Just curious - did they figure out what your "cold" problem is? I have the EXACT same problem, and took it in several times to the dealer the first winter - they could not find the problem. I have lived with this for 4 winters now - would LOVE to know that the problem is.
#53 of 80
Re: A "Possessed" VUE [laglenn98] by e4400
Jan 28, 2009 (2:00 pm)
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Replying to: laglenn98 (Jan 28, 2009 1:46 pm)

I have not. I took it in and they could not "recreate the problem" after I left my car there for a week. Then the GM had the audicity to ask me if I wanted to buy a new Vue while I was in there. I told her I would never buy another GM vehicle again.
 
Anyways, the changed my door jams thinking I had gotten Armor-All or something jammed in there, even though I told them this was not the case. They did this only after I complained to the GM about the service department.
 
They also said I could try replacing the BCM if that didn't work. I have the number for Saturn Corporate who I am going to ask to pay for the new BCM since the individual stores do not do that.
 
I have also lived with this 4 winters and have documentation of each time I took it to the dealer and they could never recreate the problem. I'll keep you posted if I can get Saturn to pay and if that works.
#54 of 80
Re: A "Possessed" VUE [e4400] by laglenn98
Jan 28, 2009 (4:56 pm)
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Replying to: e4400 (Jan 28, 2009 2:00 pm)

Interesting - I am sorry you got such a run around. My local mechanic also tried to "recreate" the scenario - and hasn't gotten it to do it for him. I used to wait until the car was warmer - the lights would evenutally go off after flickering a few times - and the locks locking and unlocking. My husband started using his fist and hitting the dash right above the glove compartment. This usually gets it to go off after about 10 minutes of the car running. I think it is so odd it only does it in cold weather! We live in Wisconsin - it is cold here A LOT. Good luck - at least I know someone else has this issue - my friends think it is funny - but I am so tired of it.
#55 of 80
Re: A "Possessed" VUE [laglenn98] by 1gettinginfo
Jan 29, 2009 (9:45 pm)
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Replying to: laglenn98 (Jan 28, 2009 1:46 pm)

Unfortunately I haven't taken it in to the dealer. It illuminates completely with in 5minutes of warming up. So until it becomes more complicated I am not interested in paying them some overpriced charge.
#56 of 80
Re: A "Possessed" VUE [e4400] by djwhipmix
Feb 01, 2009 (8:33 am)
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Replying to: e4400 (Jan 28, 2009 2:00 pm)

My GOD! I thought I was the only one going through this. I've taken it to the dealer in my area and they were able to recreate this. They just wouldn't do anything to fix it. They also insisted it was the door jam. Does anyone know legally if this can be a class action suit. You are describing my exact problem. Everyone says my car is haunted. I keep having to jump start my car and have replaced the batteries several times.

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