[quint9]

Please help in initiating a safety recall of the Saturn Outlook by the NHTSA to have the headlight wiring harness replaced with a more heavy duty model. Please go to http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ and take a few minutes to fill out the form. The more Outlook owners who have had this problem that complain, the more chance we have of GM issuing a recall to address this issue.

I just bought a used 2007 Outlook and about one week later the headlight went out. I researched here to find out how to change it (OMG that is insane to have to take off a tire to change a headlight!!!). Upon removal, I found the wiring harness was melted like so many of you have experienced with your Outlooks. I also found out the hard way that you should be careful in the removal of the lamp from it's seat because you can easily rip the wires from the harness. I had to rig up a new harness of my own and I extended the wires so that I will have an easier time changing that light next time. It took some time to get the wire extensions crimped onto the old wires but I got it done and the light is still working one week later.

Please fill out that form at the NHTSA so we can all get new wiring harnesses.

Thanks

 

[Bruce_Lee]

"I found the wiring harness was melted like so many of you have experienced with your Outlooks"

Really? ???


I've been actively reading this forum and the other (I don't know if I can mention that other website here - but it is made up of the word 'saturn' and 'fans'), and I haven't read of any wiring harness issues. :-\


Please post a link of others complaining about this issue and I will gladly sign the petition. 8)


thanks,

BL (in San Fran - home of the import luvers)

 

[khansen30]

The only thing I found on any of the sites about the wiring harness burning up is when someone put an aftermarket light in an Acadia. Nothing else on the Acadia or Enclave forums.

 

[6Sixathome]

:worthless:

 

[quint9]

Ok, ok. I guess I exaggerated the scope of the problem and the number of people who were experiencing it. It was unintentional and I apoligize. I did think I read of a melting problem in more places on the two Outlook forums that I have joined than I have found now that I have done another search. I might have seen mention of it in some other places but here are two posts where it is mentioned. There is a TSB out concerning the melting problem as mentioned by BigTallV in a recent thread

"TSB #09-08-42-004 "Low Beam Headlamp Replacement/Diagnosis (Inspect Fuse, Bulb, Harness, Replace Harness and Fill Connector Cavity for Low Beam Bulb Connector with Nyogel Grease) - (May 29, 2009). Document ID: 2284787. Applies to models 2007-2009 Saturn OUTLOOK"

Here are the threads that I found in a short search that mention the problem:
http://www.saturnoutlookforum.net/index.php?topic=544.0

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130309&highlight=headlight

I also have attached a couple of pictures of my harness. Sorry again for my exaggeration and thank you for calling me on it and keeping me honest.

P.S. I still would like for Outlook owners to file the request for a safety recall.

 

[6Sixathome]

quint9, please fill in your vehicle profile just so we know what vehicle you have, XR/XE, year and features, etc. Now by looking those pic's , those puppies are toast. I wonder if it was not "pushed" on all the way from the factory, kind of loose just arcing constantly.

 

[quint9]

I only had the truck for a short time before the light went out. I did notice that it was out once (by the reflection in the tailgate of a pick-up in front of me) and I cycled the light switch a few times and it came on.

 

[Dawniewani]

Who cares if you may have "overstated" the problem about the MELTED headlight Harness? It has happened to me THREE times!!! I have a 2007 Outlook XE that I bought in July of 2007. The first time the passenger side went out in December of 2008. Knowing that it was an unusual problem and the fact that it was SO expensive to fix, I called Saturn customer assistance. After a week or two of going back and forth, they agreed to "take care of it for me". Then, much to my surprise the passenger side melted AGAIN in October of 2009. I went back to dealer who fixed it and they charged me over $100 to diagnose the problem and then quoted over $300 to fix it again. So, I called Saturn assistance again but this time they were no help whatsoever. I have really gottne the impression that since Saturn is technically "no more" they aren't as willing to help out. Not having the extra $300 I have been waiting to fix it until no my driver side went out on Tuesday. Having high hope I thought maybe it was just the light bulb but no that side is melted too. I bought my Outlook to accomodate my large family. I drive around 5 children on a daily basis. My husband who is an old time hot rodder and has worked on many many cars believes this is more than just a harness issue. He doesn't see how it could possible just melt the way it does. If it is something more serious and an internal wiring problem then we are all in danger. Good for you quint9 for bringing more seriousness to to this issue. I have already filled out my complaint with the NTHSA hoepfully, GM will listen. This was the first time I ever bought a GM due to being a huge NASCAR fan and my favorite drivers always driving Chevys. However I can assure you after this experience with them, I will probably be buying a Ford next time!

 

[khansen30]

I don't understand. Is your Outlook out of warranty and that's why they wont fix it? If it's still under warranty take it to another GM dealer and not the Saturn dealer. Most Saturn dealers are no longer under the GM umbrella and they don't do the warranty work anymore, thus the charges.

I had 20k plus on my 07 Outlook and never a harness problem and with 13k on my Acadia no problems. Sometimes individual cars/trucks will have a problem that others don't and that may be the case here. So before blasting the whole brand, let's find out what is going on.

 

[6Sixathome]

Ken, we should'nt go there with him, he's on a tangent. If he wants to buy a Ford than let him. Ford's have issues too. F.O.R.D.= Found on road dead! Dawniewani this is'nt the place to blow up.

6Six

 

[khansen30]

I was just trying to be nice and not knock on ford. I wanted to talk about the trucks that kept blowing up because of the gas tanks, but I won't. I doubt he will ever comment again anyway.

 

[6Sixathome]

Agreed!

 

[quint9]

Thank you Dawniewani for your back-up on this problem (by the way Ken and 6, Dawniewani is a woman, she refered to her husband in her post..and I'd hate to meet a dude named Dawniewani). I did overstate the problem when I stated that "so many others here" had the same problem. I still feel that it is a safety problem due to the fact that more than just Dawn and I have experienced it. Hopefully the NHTSA will address it. My "shadetree mechanic" wiring job had held up so far and when or if the other side goes out, I will just bypass the harness there as well.
Overall, I like my Outlook so far. It is very comfortable and stylish. The 6-speed tranny was a design blunder, IMO. I think that a 5-speed or even better yet, a CVT tranny would serve this vehicle better but once again, that is my opinion. I have owned 1 ford and it had it's own problems as well. The one thing I can say now, though, is that if everything is as hard to work on as that **** headlight on my Outlook, I will be cussing it as bad as Dawn does.

 

[tncamp]

Amazing, I just logged in to check on this problem. Last week I replaced the passenger side low-beam with a Sylvania Silver Star just as I had the driver's side a few months ago. This morning I noticed the passenger side was out again. When I removed the bulb, I noticed all the insulation was melted from the wire just behind the plug. I hope all I need to replace is the harness. It is still under extended warranty so hopefully it will be covered.

 

[6Sixathome]

Amazing, I just logged in to check on this problem. Last week I replaced the passenger side low-beam with a Sylvania Silver Star just as I had the driver's side a few months ago. This morning I noticed the passenger side was out again. When I removed the bulb, I noticed all the insulation was melted from the wire just behind the plug. I hope all I need to replace is the harness. It is still under extended warranty so hopefully it will be covered.

tncamp,
:welcome: please fill in your signature with year, model, what vehicle you have, etc so we know where to direct you with help if needed. I assume that you are still under the 3/36,000 warrenty, if so you will be covered by warrenty :thumb:. This might turn into a huge issue :sosad: hno:. When you get it fixed, let us know if your dealer had a TSB for it.

 

[Tazz378]

I've gone to the NHTSA website and made a complaint. I have a 2008 Saturn Outlook with 36000 miles. The drivers side head light/daytime light went out. Changed the bulb and check the fuse and still doesn't work. So I take it to a local GMC dealership that now works on Saturn's with a 60 months 75000 mile extanded warrenty. They tell me that it's not covered that it is a short in the headlight and it will cost $599 to fix. I tell them not to worry because I've seen everyone posting message on the internet about the same promblem I'll fix it and charge me $56 for labor for just looking at it. I get the number from the dealership for extanded warrenty service and call them to ask why it's not covered. They tell me that the dealership put it in to replace a headlight not a short to have them resumit or call. Called the dealership and told them what was said from the warrenty service and now they have the parts on order and refunded the labor charge. Ooh and when I talked to the service person when I brought the car in she told me it's a common problem and asked how the plug looked when I change the bulb. Hope any dealership hasn't tryed this to anyone else.

 

[dponsler]

Same issue here. 2008 Outlook, 40k miles, wiring harness bad. Not covered under warranty at this point. $100 for diagnosis plus est of $240 to replace the harness ($50 in parts).

I agree about services by dealers now Saturn is gone. Mine is now Mitsubishi and I felt they tried to take advantage. Not like the old Saturn.

I also had a humming noise which was diagnosed as leak in power steering fluid line. Also not covered under warranty. Est $200 to tighten the clamp and "flush the line". My boys said they had never hear of flushing the power steering line--it's in constant motion and any air bubbles would work their way out on their own. We added power steering fluid and the noise went away. May still be a slow leak, but we will monitor and "tighten the clamp" for much less than $200!!

 

[quint9]

Thanks to all who have complained to NHTSA. Let's hope that gets GM to replace all of the harnesses on all of the Lamda trucks (Outlook, Acadia, Traverse, Enclave).

dponsler....you got charged for the Acadia wiring harness which is both sides and goes all the way to the fuse block. The Outlook harness is just one side and is a partial length set of wires that should only cost about $40. Big difference.

Good luck to all who have this problem like I did.

 

[BBEL37]

My 2007 Outlook had the passenger side melt and was replaced under my extended warranty. I have also replaced 3 headlamps - 2 on passenger side and 1 on drivers side in the last 6 months. My Nephew has a 08 Outlook and he had his passenger side melt.

 

[quint9]

BBEL37.....did you go to the NHTSA web site and make a complaint? If not, please do. Thanks