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!

 

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.

_________________
| 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!
|

 

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

 

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.

 

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)