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Many L-Series Woes - Newest is HVAC and Rear Tail light Assembly

To start, my rear tailights went out AGAIN (vehicl has only 44k mi) the other day. As usual I played with the bulbs trying to get them to work again, knowing that this has worked in the past even after having replaced the sockets($25/piece) as instructed by the dealership (after waranty of course!). Then a fuse blows, then blows again within minutes of replacing it. I went to the dealership the next day (a different one) and they told me the rear tail light assemblies had been redesigned (thanks for the recall, Saturn!). So, I purchase a new left assembly at $100. I got it installed with no problem and put yet another new fuse in and now the parking and brake lights work fine. However, I have a new problem. For some reason my HVAC switch/knob isn't working and my AC turns on the second the fan switch is used. It doesn't matter what position the HVAC knob is in it wont change where the air is directed. I checked all fuses and all are fine. However, I don't know what else to check for problems. Anyone with any positive feedback? Much thanks!

Reply to
davidbrx
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Have the codes read out and see if anything shows up. The point in common to all these issues is the body controller. Hopefully, the short circuit did not toast the BCM. As I had mentioned previously I had an intermittent tail light and accidentally shorted the circuit in trying to find the loose connection. I replaced the fuse and later observed a fault in the BCM which I was lucky enough to have the dealer replace under warranty (60 day used car warranty). Good news for me was that since I re-bent the socket strips, I've had no further problems. BTW it was possible to insert the 2-way lamp the wrong way if you push too hard. Can cause problems.

Reply to
Oppie

I am leaning towards taking it in to the dealer. Thanks for the info.

Reply to
davidbrx

This issue has been fixed. Hopefully, this will help anyone else that has a problem similar to mine. The dealership determined that the head unit (the panel in the dash that controls AC, Fan, Temperature and Vent direction (HVAC Controls) had shorted out.

This was directly due to the arcing problem with the design of the original tail lights. They have since been redesigned, but Saturn has refused to acknowledge the defective part officially. So, if you're out of warranty, you get to buy a new part! Lucky consumer! But at least now they say they've "documented" the problem.

So, the total spent in a week was over $1000 to replace poorly chosen / defective parts (new stereo because the old one failed, new rotors at 44k easy driven miles, new rear tail light assembly and light bulb socket and finally a new HVAC head unit) THANKS, SO MUCH SATURN!!!!! I've never owned such a poor quality / designed car! But then you might ask why I bought it. I didn't. I took ownership after a relative passed away, but had to sell my Mazda to pay it off. I did this to keep my Grandmother happy since it was my grandfather that purchased it. She has since passed away and I'm looking to get rid of it as soon as financially feesible. Thanks for reading! :)

Anywho. Hope no one else has any problems with their Saturns.

Reply to
davidbrx

Whod've thought... thanks for the heads-up on the head assembly. Would not have thought that was related to your problems. Sorry about your grandparents and your troubles. I've been having a great time with my LW300 and make a joke that it runs rings around everything else (Saturn...rings). So far only out of pocket repair expense was for the canister vent solenoid which I diagnosed and replaced myself for about $20. Also a set of lamps for the center stop light at ~$10.

Best wishes, Oppie

(snip)

Reply to
Oppie

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