It's so easy to solve this!
My stepfather gave me his 2000 Buick LeSabre and told me that the light switch was stuck. For weeks, I was driving around, frustrated because the battery would die if a valet attendant or parking lot attendant would inadvertently push the button in.
I thought it would be prohibitively expensive to fix the light switch. I was wrong.
I went online and searched for a new part, finding the switch for around $80. Once it arrived in mail, I was going to bring it to the shop to have a mechanic put it in. I then realized that when you open the driver side door, you can simply pull the decorative panel to the left of the steering column, from the left edge towards you, and it simply pops open. No screws, just pull.
Once you've done that, simply unscrew the part from the panel. Then pull the plug from the part and voila, you can simply replace it with the new one. Screw it back onto the panel, push the panel in and you're on your way.
$85 plus shipping later and you've solved one of life's great mysteries!
Here is the link to buy the part from Rock Auto:
2000 BUICK LESABRE CUSTOM 3.8L 231cid V6 FI (K) : Electrical-Switch & Relay : Headlight Switch
Rock Auto Parts: http://tinyurl.com/cf88f2
This is a very easy fix. No need to go to the dealer. I found the switch at Autozone for $70. Just like djtonyz said, slide the trim panel to the left, pop it off and remove one screw and replace the switch. Less than 15 minutes to change. Thanks for the great help.
Autozone: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsShelf.jsp?categoryDisplayName=Electrical+%26+Lighting&fromType=parts&fromString=search&parentId=cat10012¤tPage=1&filterByKeyWord=headlight+switch&isSearchByPartNumber=false&navValue=15700123&categoryNValue=15799999&fromWhere=&itemId=prod10693&displayName=Headlight+Switch&searchText=headlight+switch
The switch is poorly designed. I disassembled the switch assembly and removed the pushbuttons that actually activate the switches. You can then press the switches directly with your finger. However, you lose the symbols that identify the switches and you will see the greenish lights that backlight the pushbutton symbols. I made some stick-on labels for the dashboard and didn't have to get a new switch assembly. Since the headlights are activated automatically by the dashboard sensor, I rarely use the switch anyway.
First I found a backup plan... I found a replacement switch available at my local AZ store for about $85. Not bad compared to dealership and easily replaced if you remove the dash piece with care.
Now knowing I had a way out I disassembled the existing switch module and discovered the exterior switch face is attached to a hard plastic tube that slides over a hard plastic shaft inside the switch. I cut approx. 1/2" off of the outer tube which seemed to bind no matter how much I cleaned and lubricated it. Because of the way the switch face is held in the assembly it remains in position even with most of the shaft removed. Then I carefully reassembled the switch. I had broken one of the tabs during dis-assembly so I put a drop of glue on that. Reinstalled the switch and it has been working fine for 6 months now.
After reading these posts I went out and fixed my 02 lesabre. I VERY carefully dissasembled the switch. The problem is the clearence for the buttons. I removed the buttons and filed the Female part with a rat tail file. then smoothed the the rest with a fine wire brush. put it all back together. PROBLEM SOLVED. DIDN'T SPEND A NICKLE!
After reading these posts I went out and fixed my 02 lesabre. I VERY carefully dissasembled the switch. The problem is the clearence for the buttons. I removed the buttons and filed the Female part with a rat tail file. then smoothed the the rest with a fine wire brush. put it all back together. PROBLEM SOLVED. DIDN'T SPEND A NICKLE!
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I also found this part at autozone for $69.00. It is now fixed!!!
Very easy.
In warm weather (where the inside of the car gets hot), the switch will easily move in and out. If in cold weather, use a hairdryer to heat it up.
SOURCE: 2000 Buick LeSabre Limited
Michaul,
I had the same problem.
I figured out the solution to the problem.
If you look at the disassembled switch very carefully, you will notice wear marks on the sides of one or both switches.
You will also find, that when trying to slide the outer switch over the inner switch, that either one or both may stick. (even when unassembled. )
I first used a razor knife to trim off excess material on the inner switch to prevent sticking. Apparently - with age and heat, the inner switch post becomes slightly deformed - not round - and causes the outer switch to stick.
I then used compressed air to completly clean everything up.
Then, I sprayed a light coating of silicon over everything.
I also checked the fit of the switch into the outer bezel. I had to slightly enlarge the bezal to prevent sticking as well.
Again, I used compressed air, to blow away any silicon residue.
I reinstalled the switch and it works like new.
I expect that with the enlarged clearances, the switch will remain operational for a very long time.
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same thing where can I get new switch
i have no headlights or high beems,i have parking lights and signals
Buick LeSabre "2000" headlight switch button & parking light switch button stick in on position. They require prying out to turn off. Disassembly reveals faulty design, in that plastic button guide does not allow enough clearance. Even application of light lubricant does not solve problem. In my case this resulted in a premature battery failure ($190). Buick and GM should be ashamed of such this cheap design on one of their (so called) premium cars. Switch assembly must be replaced.
My 2000 Buick LeSabre switch also is stuck on for both the headlights and the parking light. I learned that the switch is attached to the wooden/plastic piece which can be pried off w/o fooling with the rest of the dashboard. O'Reilly's (auto parts) has a replacement switch module for $85.
I don't think I can rework the original unit so will shell out the $85.
The headlight switch gave us problems on our 2000 LeSabre about a year ago. We also had to get a new battery. When we got the battery, Sears reset the headlight switch for us. That solved the problem, as long as no one did anything to the switch. If someone inadvertently pushed it in, it had to be pried out, and that wasn't an easy task.
I took the car in a couple days ago because of another recurring problem. At times, when I accelerate, the tac needle shoots way up and the engine seems to get "stuck". Unfortunately, one of the mechanics apparently pushed in the light switch and couldn't get the lights to go off. They took the switch off, sprayed it with W-D40, but that didn't help any. They had to locate a new switch, which cost $157.00, to replace the old one.
They said that it "just happened" and "wasn't their fault", so I reluctantly paid the price. To make matters worse, they couldn't pinpoint the cause of the problem that I'd taken the car in for in the first place. They said that they couldn't get it to "do it". Of course, on my way home with the car, it did it again for me.
Headlight switch will not snap back once pushed in. Lights remain on to maximum shut off release.
I also had the same problem with the light switch getting stuck in the on position after a valet parking attendant pushed the button. I had always relyed on the automatic lights and never bothered with the switch. I ended up having to disconnect the battery overnight. Not a simple proceedure. Then take the car to have the switch replaced as we tried to pry it out and it just did not want to catch. This obviously is a design error as I see many have the same problem.
We have the same problem with our 2000 Buick LeSabre. The headlights were stuck on because the headlight switch was stuck in the on position. We disconnected the battery over night and preyed the switch off. Then we had problems starting the car thinking that the battery was burned out because the headlights had been left on so long.
The light stays on for about 10-15 minutes day or night now and only keeps on the headlights and not the driving lights during the day as it formerly did.
Same thing 2000 buick I just bought and I didn't pass inspection because of it even though I use my "twilight" feature and don't need the button. ARGHHH
The solution is not to use the switch at all. I agree that GM should be ashamed of putting in cheap components in their premium cars. It's an obvious parts and labour money-maker. This is why people are turning away from GM.
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