For Anyone With A 2009 Buick LaCrosse: Burned Out Bulb Question, Please ?

[Bob]

Hi,

Have a 2009 Buick LaCrosse.

Not too good with the technical, so please bear with me a bit.

When unlocking doors with the Remote, the right hand side, rear, light
did not flash as it usually does.

When putting the turn signal to the right, I get on the instrument panel
by the Speedometer a very quick flashing right arrow.

So, I guess a bulb burned out back there.

But the Manual says that if a bulb burns out in the directional, a
message would appear.
No message.
just the very fast arrow blinking.

a. Should I assume it is definitely a burned out directional bulb in the
right-rear ?

b. How hard to replace in a 2009 Buick LaCrosse ?

c. Any idea which bulb Number, and where in the housing it is ?

The manual really isn't very clear, and there seem to be several bulbs
in that housing.

Thanks,
Bob

[g***@gmail.com]

It is interesting that after hundred years they still can ot get this right.

Everu year all cars and all models are making the simplest things more complex.

The fiscal cliff is the same.

Earn the money before you spend.

[Ed Pawlowski]

Post by Bob
When unlocking doors with the Remote, the right hand side, rear, light
did not flash as it usually does.
When putting the turn signal to the right, I get on the instrument panel
by the Speedometer a very quick flashing right arrow.
So, I guess a bulb burned out back there.
But the Manual says that if a bulb burns out in the directional, a
message would appear.
No message.
just the very fast arrow blinking.
a. Should I assume it is definitely a burned out directional bulb in the
right-rear ?

My guess is yes, it is burned out. Burned out bulbs for brakes and
turn signals sometimes do funny things. I'd replace it.

Post by Bob
b. How hard to replace in a 2009 Buick LaCrosse ?

I have no idea. Take a look inside the trunk and pull back any
covering over the housing. Some bulbs are easy to get to, some are a
real PITA and you have to remove the entire light housing to get to
them.

Post by Bob
c. Any idea which bulb Number, and where in the housing it is ?
The manual really isn't very clear, and there seem to be several bulbs
in that housing.

You may be able to look it up at the auto parts store, but it may be
best to pull the old bulb and find the number.

It is worth the time to try doing this yourself or enlist a neighbor
that can possibly guide you through it. My daughter took her car to
the dealer for a brake light and they wanted to charge her $115 to
replace the bulb. Fortunately, it was still under warranty.

[Erik]

Post by Ed Pawlowski

Post by Bob
When unlocking doors with the Remote, the right hand side, rear, light
did not flash as it usually does.
When putting the turn signal to the right, I get on the instrument panel
by the Speedometer a very quick flashing right arrow.
So, I guess a bulb burned out back there.
But the Manual says that if a bulb burns out in the directional, a
message would appear.
No message.
just the very fast arrow blinking.
a. Should I assume it is definitely a burned out directional bulb in the
right-rear ?

My guess is yes, it is burned out. Burned out bulbs for brakes and
turn signals sometimes do funny things. I'd replace it.

Post by Bob
b. How hard to replace in a 2009 Buick LaCrosse ?

I have no idea. Take a look inside the trunk and pull back any
covering over the housing. Some bulbs are easy to get to, some are a
real PITA and you have to remove the entire light housing to get to
them.

Post by Bob
c. Any idea which bulb Number, and where in the housing it is ?
The manual really isn't very clear, and there seem to be several bulbs
in that housing.

You may be able to look it up at the auto parts store, but it may be
best to pull the old bulb and find the number.
It is worth the time to try doing this yourself or enlist a neighbor
that can possibly guide you through it. My daughter took her car to
the dealer for a brake light and they wanted to charge her $115 to
replace the bulb. Fortunately, it was still under warranty.

$115 or more can be reasonable for 'some' bulbs. Like some headlights,
front turn signal and marker lights where the inner fender liner must be
removed/replaced for access. Throw in some body damage, and you have a
chore. Some instrument cluster bulbs can take hours, and open Pandora's
box to boot.

Back when I was doing the independent tech thing, and one of the easy 30
second or a minute 'wham bam' bulb jobs (or the like) came in, I'd
usually just do it on the spot, and send them on their way, no charge...
but remind them to not forget me when a real issue came up. There
weren't a lot of them, maybe 3 or 4 a month, but they seemed to generate
a lot of customer good will, and word of mouth advertising.

Erik

[Ed Pawlowski]

Post by Erik
$115 or more can be reasonable for 'some' bulbs. Like some headlights,
front turn signal and marker lights where the inner fender liner must be
removed/replaced for access. Throw in some body damage, and you have a
chore. Some instrument cluster bulbs can take hours, and open Pandora's
box to boot.

Some design engineers should be burned at the stake. Now that cars
are going to LED lights, they should last a long time.