2008 Buick Lucerne: won't start

Filed Mar 18, 2024 · Electrical, Fuel system · AZ

Our Buick Lucerne would crank but wouldn't turn over when trying to start after trying to pick up take out. 1) It was suggested to me by a passerby that it sounds like a fuel pump relay. 2)I started to smell something burning. The passerby who happens to be familiar with Buick Lucerne tried to help. He lifted the back seat and showed me the fuel pump relay which was burned. Then he switched the electrick window relay which is the exact same relay switch and the car started. Went immediately to an autozone and bought spare fuel pump relay. Thought that solve the problem, but every 2 to 3 days I'd smell that burning smell. 3) The mechanic I've been going to for 10 years confirmed the issue 4)Have not taken to dealer or insurance rep 5)Absolutely no visual warning on dashboard. the warning happens when I start smelling the burning odor. Started one and a half months ago....

Filed Mar 22, 2023 · Electrical, Fuel system · CO

The rear fuse box burned out the fule pump relay because of the metal hooks for the seat hit it and pop the fuse out causing it to ark and burn out. I had to have the fule pump replaced twice as that what I was told at auto shops. Going on line was the only reason I found out about the fuse box. After my car died and wouldnt start, opened the casing and sure enough the fule pump housing was completely burned. So now after replacing two fule pumps my emergency money is gone and who knows how long it will before am able to buy a 400$ fuse box with probably another couple hundred in labor to change it out. All because there was to much metal on the seat hooks.

Filed Aug 30, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · MD

1. Fuse box was replaced, yes. 4th repair shop replaced. I say only time will tell for sure. i don't drive every day 2. driving I-95 from VA to MD at speeds of 30+ to 75+ cars driving close behind could have ran into rear causing my car, their car, and multiple other cars to be in major accident with possible multiple deaths. 3. reproduced, no. independent service center, no 4. No. Other - the 4th repair shop inspected vehicle component. 5. No warning lamps. No messages or symptoms, car just stalled and would not start/move and w​hen I tried to start car again car would not start, but had all kinds of warnings lamps lit up. The first time the engine stalled was driving (moving) into entrance of toll booth in Richmond, VA, July 27, 2021 approx. 2:15 pm. additional info: Four (4) times car stalled while driving in traffic without warning, car would not start again had to be towed each time to a repair shop. Three (3) repair shops did not repair the problem. First repair shop charged me approx. $350.00 +- for repairs. PLUS I had to stay over night in hotel costing me approx. $120.00+- Total $470.00 +- Car still had same problem!! Second repair shop did not charge me for repairs, but not sure if any work was done, had to get a car rental to get back to Maryland. s second shop kept car ofr 6 days before working on problem. Car rental cost me $467.27. Total $467.27 Car still had same problem!!! Third repair shop kept car for 5 days, charged me approx. $125.+-, still the car had the same problem. Total $125.00+- Car still had same problem!!!! Fourth repair shop says he found fuse box to be the problem, repair cost me approx $554.00+- Total $554.00 My total expenses are approx. $1,491.20 only time will tell if problem has been fixed, not to mention the extreme emotional stress dealing with delays on repairs and extreme emotional stress driving not knowing when or how car would stall again.

Filed May 1, 2021 · Electrical, Fuel system · 117,000 miles · CO

When I first bought the car over a year ago there were 3 different occasions that my car would not start so I contacted the dealership that I bought it from and they explained to me that it was a reoccurring problem with that model for the fuel pump relay to go out and after a couple times of it going out it would ultimately fry the fuse and relay block and it would need to be replaced so that is what they did at the dealership and within they year that I have owned it I have replaced the fuel pump relay 3 times and driving to the parts store last week the car just died in the middle of the street and has not started since. I was told it was due to the hinge on the seat rubbing the side of the fuse and relay box specifically the fuel pump relay that is the cause of the fuse and relay block to short out

Filed Apr 29, 2021 · Electrical, Fuel system · 116,000 miles · AZ

Recently replaced fuel pump. After repair, car was still a crank/no start. Replaced fuel pump relay which had obvious burn/scorching evidence, as well as melting around female port on the fuse box. Since then have had to replace 3 other new fuel pump relays due to problem of excessive heat or electrical surge frying the relay. After researching the problem, it was found that the problem is caused by the back seat of the vehicled coming in contact with the top of the fuse box causing the relay to move, causing the relay to work harder to maintain a connection, which in turn creates more current and the resulting heat increase melts the casing in the fuse box and kills the relay. When the relay is compromised in such a way the fuel pump stops operating and the engine gets no gas thus creating a crank/no start if the car is parked or causes the car to stall out if the car is in motion. In reasearching this matter, it is clear that gm has been aware of this situation for over 10 years. There are multitudes of individuals effected by this problem with some of them having smoking or burning issues with the relay. Personally, I have had stall outs while going with the flow of traffic which resulted in vehicle control issues such as braking and steering and excelleration, gm had extended repair period for the issue but failed to notify owners so many were unaware of the repairs or even the issue until the problems occurred. No recall has been initiated by gm even though it is a clear safety issue due to the control issues when stall outs occur and the potential for fires under the seat as the problem progresses. Gm refuses to cover repairs to affected vehicles since the courtesy repair order expired and the vehicles are typically out of warranty. Vehicle involved is a 2008 buick lucerne but the issue effects other gm cars. Gm tsb 15-na-051 for tech directives

Filed Dec 20, 2020 · Electrical · 122,840 miles · MN · fire

Car wouldn't start kept trying to start it and it would make a clicking noise and then all of a sudden a small electrical fire staffed in the fuse box in the rear seat of car

Filed Sep 15, 2020 · Fuel system · 200 miles · CA

Car cranked but does not start. Just replaced the fuel pump relay with oem and fuel pump. Worked. One day later, doesn't work. The fuel pump relay was burnt. Seems to be a common problem in the chat boxes for this car. I was told there is a tech new bulletin on this.

Filed May 6, 2019 · Electrical · 64,000 miles · MI

I received a letter in january, 2019 regarding this vehicle, stating that the "vehicle's rear seat bracket could contact the vehicle's rear electrical center (rec), which can, over time, damage electrical components within the rec enclosure. If damage occurs, the components can melt or overheat, which the customer may detect by a melting odor in the vehicle. Damage could also cause the vehicle's battery to drain, a no-start condition, or a stall." we have had 2 new batteries installed in this vehicle in recent years and I've also smelled the burning smell that they are referring to in this letter. I took the vehicle to shelton pontiac buick in rochester, mi to find out if our car had been affected by this condition, and after examining the rec harness, they said that it has been affected and needs repair. They quoted me $720 to repair it. Buick was the one who contacted me regarding this situation, which is unsafe and should be under a recall with no charge to the customer to fix. It is a manufacturer's problem and not due to wear and tear and I believe I should not be charged for this repair because of their faulty design. I have spoken with their customer assurance center many times and have gotten nowhere with them. I also wrote a letter to neelie o'connor, the executive director of buick's north american contact center and never received a response. She was the person who signed the letter, alerting us to the problem. I do not want this vehicle to be unsafe as I am on the road a lot, going back and forth to detroit for cancer treatments. It needs to be fixed and buick should pay for it.

Filed Apr 11, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · CA

My car shut off will not start with key in the ignition, and when started with the keyless remote it still will not move and car will not come out of park. The whole entire ignition system is locked up. I tried my spare key the car has shut down and it had to be towed home. The car was stationary.

Filed Apr 7, 2019 · Electrical, Fuel system · 97,000 miles · MN

Experienced a crank no start on my 2008 buick lucerne, did some research to find this make/model/year has a long history of issues with the rear electrical center due to the placement under the back seat. The fuel pump relay fuse was extremely burnt and noticed the fuse box was melted near the relay fuse. Brought my car to the local buick dealership and they notified me a 10 year "special coverage" was available on this car but I was never notified of the issue. I am the 2nd owner of this vehicle. Ended up having to pay for an entire new rear electrical center and the labor to replace it (~$700). I called gm customer service and they said they wouldn't be able to do anything about it. If the electrical box is being burned and it's directly under a seat I fear this is a major safety concern. I believe this should have warranted a recall and it absolutely should be required for gm to notify the current owner of the vehicle for this issue.

Filed Mar 12, 2019 · Electrical, Fuel system · 130,000 miles · IN

Car wouldn't start checked fuse panel and fuel pump relay terminal is melted upon further research this is a common occurrence in the 2008-2011 buick lucerne models caused by the panel being directly under the rear seat bracket. Bracket applies pressure to panel lid which intern pushes and applies pressure to fuel pump relay gm recommends replacing relay with low profile style relay and cutting seat brackets. If this is such a know issue and gm recommends these modifications why is this not a safety recall? If the terminal is melting and burning like that this could cause a fire directly under a foam seat in the rear of a car and in my case directly under my children's car seats!!!!!!!!! I have to replace the entire fuse panel due to the melted contacts with estimate repair costs of over $300 for something that could be prevented by gm doing the right thing and fixing their problem!

Filed Sep 12, 2018 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 138,000 miles · NC

Crank no start. Back seat housing was pushing against fuse box in backseat chushion causing fuel relay to not work. Relay was damaged as a result. Fuel pump was also damage