electrical gremlins

I have a 2001 Buick Regal GS. The abs check engine and trac lights started
coming on when accelerating hard. The next day the car would not start.
It now will start and run ONLY if the park brake is set. All the dash lights blinks off and one and the car will not fully idle if the brake is not setThe dealer told me
there is no communication and car needs a ebcm. Has anyone ever heard of
this many symptoms.

First, check all battery connections for corrosion. have the battery and alternator checked (many auto parts stores test for free). If they check out, then you could be having ignition switch/harness trouble. It (the ignition switch/harness) is a fairly common problem in the GM W-Bodies, and causes a lot of electrical gremlins.

My wife has a 2000 Regal GS with the supercharged engine and we had a very similar problem. I drove it home one day and approx 1 hr later it refused to start and all the dashboard lights were flashing, also the shift was locked in the Park position. Later I tried to start it and it fired up ok but the Trac off and ABS warning lights were lit, I had to push a screwdriver into the shift lock release hole (by the gear shift) to put it in drive. Whilst driving, the engine would die when I turned on the blinker, It would start back up but I would have to repeat the screwdriver in the lock release routine every time. The next day it would not start again and we replaced the battery after it was found to be faulty, but this did not cure the problem. We are unable to move the car to have it checked out. Anyone solve a similar problem?:banghead:

As Rich stated the ignition switch could be the problem.

My '99 Regal did the same things as yours, trac off and abs lights on also service vehicle soon light on and when using the blinker it would shut off the engine.

I cleaned the ignition switch and car has been fine for almost a year. The contacts inside of the ignition switch had a lot of carbon build-up causing all the problems I was having.

Thanks, I will try that, I am not really mechanically minded though so which way did you clean the ignition switch, is there any dismantling and is is straight forward?

You have to remove the lower dash panel, below the steering column, and also remove the plastic shroud off of the steering column to access the ignition switch.

There is a spring inside the ignition switch so you need to be careful when taking apart so you don't lose parts. The spring is also tricky to get back in when you reassemble. You can buy a new switch for something like $130.

Below are links to more specific information.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=724301&highlight=ignition+switch+turn+signal

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=470982&highlight=ignition+switch

As richtazz commented the natural predator that stalks stupidity are those
who made the mistake of buying domestic junk!

Thanks To Those Who Have Made Positive Comments On This Forum
To Assist Those With Diy Repairs

As richtazz commented the natural predator that stalks stupidity are those
who made the mistake of buying domestic junk!

Until they break which they do just like domestic. Reliability has gone down since many like the Japanese makes are assembled in the U.S.

I've done DIY work on foreign cars too. Latest being my neighbor's Acura. Failed transmisson and tow truck required. However, one thing I can say for sure is none of my Regals or any GM cars for that matter have ever left me totally broke down or dead in the water. Plus at least in most cases you can fix them DIY and save money. :grinyes:

I agree Bob. I'll take a car I can work on, and find parts for without knowing if Chin-fua Ming on first shift or Cheng-do Teriaki on second shift assembled it. :icon16: I work in the parts industry, have you ever tried to look up parts for a Honda or Nissan? :banghead:

I agree Bob. I'll take a car I can work on, and find parts for without knowing if Chin-fua Ming on first shift or Cheng-do Teriaki on second shift assembled it. :icon16: I work in the parts industry, have you ever tried to look up parts for a Honda or Nissan? :banghead:

Only for Honda motorcycles Rich. :lol:

My biggest complaint on foreign car parts is the cost. Ouch!!! Another problem is finding qualified foreign car shops with qualified techs to do the work and properly. Again more $$$$. Oh well.

But one thing I do know for sure is there are plenty of salvaged parts at the junkyards for them since most are totaled out by the insurance company after an accident. I don't care what crash ratings they get on paper but in reality don't hold up well in most accidents. :grinno: