starting/electric problem!!!!

So helping a friend work on a 98 Pontiac Grand Prix with Series II 3800 engine. The problem started the other day when the car was being driven and the owner would turn on the turn signal the car gauges would start to flash, and the car would sound like it was getting ready to stall. The owner tried to finish driving home and the car just stopped. Car was towed home and has yet started since the problem started. The car will turn over when cranking and sometimes fire up but then immediately die. Check the OBD II no luck there no codes. But i have noticed while messing with the car trying to get it started i hear strange sounds inside the car when the key is turned to the on position or messing with electrical items inside the car. You can turn on the turn signal and nothing happens they do not work. Also you can hear noise that appears to come out of the stereo speakers like a thumping or to me a short like when pluging in a speaking to a headunit. But the 4 way flashers work so to me the signals sould work. Also the gauges will flash and do odd things when the turn signal is turned on. Not sure if these two things are envolved with the problem but under the hood the fuel regulator and fuel pump continue to make noise while ignition is turn to on position instead of what i'm used to hearing the fuel pump prim then cut off, also a white color smoke comes out of the exhaust when trying to start and i mean alot of smoke but i know it is not oil possible unburned gas not sure. Please help i'm clueless at this point. :confused:

sounds to me like there is a bad ignition harness. here (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=653340) is a page with the procedure to change it.

but to me that does not explain the gauge lights, turn signals, and the engine turning over to crank...Unless you know something about it I don't. Can the ingition harness effect all them items? And also is that a common problem for the grand prix to have with the same systoms.. Thanks for you time.:confused:

yes, the ignition switch/harness will cause problems with the blinkers...and cause alot of random things to happen. not too sure about the smoke coming out of the exhaust...that just may be a coincidence. :screwy:

sounds to me like there is a bad ignition harness. here (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=653340) is a page with the procedure to change it.


The ignition switch was my gut feeling too, but the OP could check all his chassis grounds and battery connections and cables first.

I agree with both Tblake and grandprixgtx00. In keeping it simple, check the battery connections as Tblake suggested, and if everything checks out, you need an ignition switch/harness as grandprixgtx00 mentioned. Your symptoms are classic for a failed ignition switch/harness, which is a common problem on these cars.

i agree on the ignition harness...but dont rule out the turn signal switch...it is connected to the same junction block as the ignition...i had similar probs w/my 93 se...
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=925419
now i know if i have more probs...i will check the ignition switch
thanks,jon