2002 Headlamp Short?

Hi guys. I have a very, very dangerous problem. When driving at night, our headlamps have started shutting off for no reason. The first time it happened, we were going up-hill and there was a bright streetlight at the top of the hill. That made us think it was a sensor problem. Now it happens at any random time, but so far it has only been in the complete dark with no oncoming traffic (LUCKY us!). That makes me feel less like there's a sensor problem and more like there might be something electrical overheating. It's entirely inconsistent. It seems like if it were overheated, they would have to stay off until something cooled down. But they usually come back on within 10 seconds. (Once however, we sat on the side of the road for nearly 10 minutes.) Before we take it in, has anyone run across this problem before? We'd like to know what kind of expense and issues we're facing because we don't have the most competent people around here.


Thanks!
Karen

Hi Karen!

Were you able to fix the problem with the headlights? My 2002 Buick century is doing the same thing. I have taken it to the dealership but they haven't been able to duplicate the problem and do not know what to do.

Have you had any luck? (or has anyone else figured this one out?) If so, are you willing to tell me what worked?

So far, they've replaced the headlamp relay, but the lights still turn 'off' at random times. The only thing I've noticed is that the high beams are 'on' when this occurs. It doesn't matter if the radio or heater are 'on,' or what speed I am traveling. The only way I can turn the lights 'on' again is by flipping on the high beams (which only turns on the lights, and not the high beams). If I manually turn the lights 'on' they remain 'off.' The blinkers, brake lights, hazards, radio, heater, windows and seat still work (I've tried everything I can think of).

Talk about messing with your head! :)

Regardless, it's incredibly scary and dangerous. Traveling at 60mph, I've gone at least 100 feet before I can turn the headlights 'on' again. With deer and people all over, I'm afraid to drive at night.

Please help!
Thank you!
Heidi


Hi guys. I have a very, very dangerous problem. When driving at night, our headlamps have started shutting off for no reason. The first time it happened, we were going up-hill and there was a bright streetlight at the top of the hill. That made us think it was a sensor problem. Now it happens at any random time, but so far it has only been in the complete dark with no oncoming traffic (LUCKY us!). That makes me feel less like there's a sensor problem and more like there might be something electrical overheating. It's entirely inconsistent. It seems like if it were overheated, they would have to stay off until something cooled down. But they usually come back on within 10 seconds. (Once however, we sat on the side of the road for nearly 10 minutes.) Before we take it in, has anyone run across this problem before? We'd like to know what kind of expense and issues we're facing because we don't have the most competent people around here.


Thanks!
Karen

Heidi:

Not yet... Our mechanic (without even looking at it or being given much detail) immediately said to change the switch, which is about $200. We haven't had $200 yet to try it. We have also noticed that it helps to turn down the intensity of the dash lights. We can kind of predict when it's going to happen by feeling of how hot the light switch on the dash is getting.

If something this dangerous and potentially fatal is happening to more than one of us, it's probably happening to a lot of us. I can't believe there hasn't been a recall...

Karen

Heidi:

Not yet... Our mechanic (without even looking at it or being given much detail) immediately said to change the switch, which is about $200. We haven't had $200 yet to try it. We have also noticed that it helps to turn down the intensity of the dash lights. We can kind of predict when it's going to happen by feeling of how hot the light switch on the dash is getting.

If something this dangerous and potentially fatal is happening to more than one of us, it's probably happening to a lot of us. I can't believe there hasn't been a recall...

Karen

Karen,
Thanks for the information. I found another person who had the same problem with a 2000 Buick Century. They found that if they pushed on the dimmer switch, the lights would come back. I am going to call the dealer Heidi has been working with (she is my daughter) and convey these messages to them. One of us will let you know whether or not replacing the switch works.

BruceI

Awesome! Thanks!

Karen

Awesome! Thanks!

Karen

Hi Karen!

Thanks for responding!

I contacted Buick - Buick Customer Relations Center: (for Buick owners)
1-800-521-7300 and have reported the headlight problem. The woman with whom I spoke (Frankie) took notes on everything I told her and said that she will look into this problem and get back to me by Monday. She offered to call the dealership for me, to see if they would be willing to drive the car at night to duplicate the problem.

She also said that dealerships will often temporarily place new parts into a car to see if that fixes the problem, to avoid forcing the customer to buy unnecessary parts - perhaps this will be the next try at troubleshooting!

She said that other similar problems have not been reported --- if you are willing to call them, at least they would know this is not an isolated incident.

Since the car is still 'young,' she said that she would work with me to get the cost of fixing this covered. While she cannot make any guarantees, I was happy to hear that this was at least a possibility (as it should be).

I hope that anyone else who has experienced this problem will contact Buick and/or GM as well - if enough people contact them, they will have to fix it. It may be a problem specific to Buick Centuries, or may extend to other GM cars as well.

I will let you know what happens!
Heidi

PS - Oddly enough, my brother is studying near you...

We will definitely call. I hope it does some good. However, you would think that in the decades of making Centuries, they would have worked out the kinks in the power windows, too...

Keep me posted on what finally works!!

So is your brother going to Mississippi State? I work in the Marketing Department.

Karen

Hi Karen!

Hope you're doing well! Yes, my brother attends Mississippi State - he's actually pursuing his PhD there - small world, isn't it?

Buick update: They replaced the multifunction switch (attached to the steering wheel) and so far, so good - I have headlights! :) After several phone calls (i.e. Buick, Buick to dealership where I bring the car, my father to Buick, etc), the price was dropped from nearly $600 to just labor ($92.08).

Thank you so much for your help - we wouldn't have thought to pursue these avenues if we hadn't known that other people were having the same problem. You've saved us so much time and money - thank you! :)

Since you've been so helpful, and have saved us lots of money, we'd like to help you. If you're able to get the same deal we did (i.e. just labor), we'd like to cover the cost of getting this fixed for you as a thank you. It's the least we can do.

Let me know?

Thank you!!!
Heidi - [email protected]

Heidi, that's great! Glad to hear that it's working so well.

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. We've been in Chicago.

That's such a wonderful and kind offer, to pay for ours to be fixed, but we couldn't let you do that! Honestly, if we can follow the same route you did, then you'll probably have already saved us about $500. I'll be sending you a direct email to ask you more about how to contact the right people at Buick.

Thanks so much for your responses! Safe driving!

Karen