1998 Buick Regal: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Mar 8, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 69,000 miles · VA

Just as the current gm recall my buick regal suddenly loses all power while driving. The 1st time this occurred I was on the interstate going 60 MPH at night, 1st all the dash lights flashed on, then my headlights, power steering, all electronics and engine died! Luckily I was able to make it to the emergency lane! Once, I was able to pull my frightened self together, the car started right back up and I was able to get off the interstate and make it home very cautiously. In the days following, I tested it just driving very close to home and continuously had the same problem, somewhat seeming to occur more often when I used my turn signal, these incidences of total power failure occurred @ speeds of 0-35 MPH, since I was unwilling to put it back on the interstate. When performing a simple internet search for a solution to this problem, I quickly found that I was not the only to have this problem, some with a 1998 buick regal just as myself, and others with a similar make & model (still gm) and close to the same year, well before 2003. After taking the car to a mechanic & getting a new alternator and blower motor, the car died yet again before I even made it out of the parking lot. It was suggested to me to try the new alternator before replacing the ignition and related parts which are quite pricey on this vehicle which has 1 of those chips in the key. This problem has yet to be solved and I wonder if the current recall is even more overdue than thought. Please help! Do not wait until myself, my children or others suffer fatal consequences! This vehicle is new to me, has very low mileage and is in otherwise in great condition and also has a satisfactory carfax report. My sincerest thanks!

Filed Dec 19, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 181,000 miles · PW

1. Right side cornering lamp is inoperative despite replacing bulb, socket and even entire right side headlamp housing assembly with all new wiring and bulbs in it (not the turn signal because that works and so do all headlight functions I.e. High/low beam). 2. When above issue started car suddenly started shutting off whenever turn signals where used when passing or trying to enter highway on entrance ramp regardless of if we were speeding up or slowing down. It has also happened at a complete stand still while local mechanic was investigating complaint regarding all the above and he is still not able to find the cause. I am afraid to let my family ride in this vehicle and I am afraid it will cost us a fortune trying to figure out what is causing this unsafe issue!

Filed Mar 9, 2011 · Lights · 130,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick regal. The contact stated the headlights were crooked and not aiming straight. The contact located a recall in regards to the failure under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 99v356000 (exterior lighting: headlights) but was advised that his VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the vehicle owners manual which contained a manual insert with instructions for optically aiming the headlamps per the recall notice. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Nov 30, 2008 · Lights · 83,000 miles · SD

I have a 1998 buick regal gs. I have experienced a problem when activating the turn signals. Upon activating a signal in either direction the car's electrical system shut down and stalls the engine. The car is normally in motion and power steering, headlights etc is lost.

Filed Apr 24, 2006 · Electrical · 121,000 miles · IN

Head lights turn on and off when the blower fan is turned on. The rear window defrost will not operate, and the cruise control is also affected by this. I have had this in the shop several times and several hundred dollars later it is just getting worse.

Filed Jan 8, 2006 · Electrical · IL

When using turn signals, all dash lights, headlights go off and engine dies. Engine will not restart until turn signal is cancelled. This is an intermittent problem. Replacing the turn signal switch assy has not changed the symptoms.

Filed Jan 13, 2004 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · WA

Head lights turn off when blower fan is turned on. Blower for AC/heater turns off, occasionally will work when turned to high. Rear defroster won't work when blower fan is on. Monocromatic rear veiw mirror adjustment won't work when blower is on. Left rear turn signal not working, bulb is ok.

Filed Dec 2, 2003 · Visibility · 18,384 miles · PA

The air conditioner blower and the headlights did not work properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they replaced the ignition switch, the air conditioner blower switch and the resistor. *ak while traveling on the highway at 45 MPH with the blower on at a low speed, without warning it would shut off along with the headlights. This problem repeated. The consumers daughter had the same vehicle and experienced the same problem. Gm stated that there were no other instances reported. *scc the circuit board for the blower resistor burned up, which caused other componets to fail.

Filed Mar 30, 2003 · Electrical, Visibility · 92,000 miles · VA

Headlights turned off during operation at night while driving. Listed below is the text of my note to the dealer more fully describing the problem. You may recall after review of your service records that I brought this vehicle to you december 3, 2002 for a faulty blower motor. After diagnosis you phoned and indicated the problem was a resistor, not the motor and during diagnosis you discovered wires under the hood damaged by an animal who had built a nest under the cowling. I authorized repair of both the resistor and the wiring. On january 3, 2003 I returned the vehicle to you for a similar problem, the blower motor would fail intermittently along with the electronically dimmed rearview mirror and the interior dash light would fail to dim when the headlights were turned on. You kept the vehicle until january 7, 2003 but were unable to observe the problem. I have had two instances of this blower failure since but was unable to get to you before the fan and associated problems disappeared. This morning shortly after 5:00 am (in the dark) I headed to the richmond airport. As I was about to pull onto route 54 from our development I decided to turn on the blower to clear moisture from the windows. When I did the headlights extinguished. Had this been twenty seconds later I may have wrecked my vehicle and injured or killed my passenger and myself.

Filed Dec 19, 2000 · Visibility · NY

There is excessive glare in the windshield of this vehicle; excessive to a point of total blindness when I enter my garage. The problem is a result of the steep angle of glass, a very light colored gray dash and the size of the dash. This combination causes the windshield to take on the appearance of being foggy at all times. At night, when driving under overhead lights the condition is even worse ; as is the case when driving the car into my garage which is also light gray. In this circumstance I am almost totally blinded by the images transposed into the windshield. I have contacted buick at least 6-8 times asking for help to resolve the problem but the most they would offer is a suggestion to get myself some polarized sun glasses or purchase a dash mat (with a warning that the dash mat may not help either). My contention is that buick built the car, they claim that it was tested for safety standards and it's not safe as far as my vision is concerned. They should be held accountable to correct defects in the products they sell. There are solutions to this problem, they are aware of it but they would rather not address it untill someone gets hurt.t.

Filed Jul 31, 2000 · Lights · KY

Recall notice was received & understood. But, certificate wasn't helping to correct the problem. Headlights on low beam didn't cover visibilty for driving which could be dangerous. High beams worked fine. Dealer has tried & no success.

Filed Jul 8, 1999 · Lights · AR

When high beam lights are on, if you are in a shallow right turn and another vehicle approaches, you are unable to change to low beams. The headlight lever hits the steering wheel and will not change from high to low beams.