92 Buick Regal; Various Problems

[Strider1048]

1st Problem
For the last few months my turn signals have been malfunctioning, occasionally working and stopping. My hazard lights work, so I'm assuming the wiring is fine. I was thinking possibly the turn signal switch?

2nd Problem
I've had problems starting my car in the past and took it into the mechanic. Had the fuel pump and starter replaced. The vehicle starts but it takes 2-3 cranks to get going. I've had the mechanic warranty out the starter 3 times and it still has the same problem. Any ideas anyone? I was thinking maybe a bad ignition?

3rd Problem
About the time my turn signals started to malfunction, my trunk stopped opening. I checked the fuse and it was out. When I attempted to put a new fuse in, it immediately shorts the fuse. Not sure what would cause this.

4th Problem
My car tends to make a sound when I accelerate. There's a sound like bits and pieces of rust running through the cooling system. Also another sound like a small train. I had a light come on saying I was low on coolant, so I refilled. When I put coolant in, the second sound goes away, but the first persists. I'm thinking about doing a coolant flush and using a Radiator/Head Gasket stop leak in the process before refilling. Anyone have any thoughts about the best product, or if I should or should not do this based on the symptoms?

Any help is appreciated!

[82Stang]

Originally Posted by Strider1048

1st Problem
For the last few months my turn signals have been malfunctioning, occasionally working and stopping. My hazard lights work, so I'm assuming the wiring is fine. I was thinking possibly the turn signal switch?

2nd Problem
I've had problems starting my car in the past and took it into the mechanic. Had the fuel pump and starter replaced. The vehicle starts but it takes 2-3 cranks to get going. I've had the mechanic warranty out the starter 3 times and it still has the same problem. Any ideas anyone? I was thinking maybe a bad ignition?

3rd Problem
About the time my turn signals started to malfunction, my trunk stopped opening. I checked the fuse and it was out. When I attempted to put a new fuse in, it immediately shorts the fuse. Not sure what would cause this.

4th Problem
My car tends to make a sound when I accelerate. There's a sound like bits and pieces of rust running through the cooling system. Also another sound like a small train. I had a light come on saying I was low on coolant, so I refilled. When I put coolant in, the second sound goes away, but the first persists. I'm thinking about doing a coolant flush and using a Radiator/Head Gasket stop leak in the process before refilling. Anyone have any thoughts about the best product, or if I should or should not do this based on the symptoms?

Any help is appreciated!

1) Possibly a malfunctioning multi-function switch.

2) Things to check:fuel pressure, fuel pump relay, ignition components (i.e. tune up parts), ignition switch.

3) There is a break in the wiring somehwere shorting out the fuse. Start at the trunk open switch and work backwards looking at plugs and wiring for any breaks or corrosion. Check bulbs and sockets on turn signals also. These all go back to the fuse block one way or another.

4) I'd reverse flush the system first in hopes to clean out any debris in the heater core. Then refill and drive again to see if the noises persist. If they do, you might want to check the compression of each cylinder and make sure there is not a bad head gasket. If you are losing coolant, it is going somewhere, either external or internal. Check for leaks externally first and monitor how much coolant you are adding on a regular basis.

After flushing the system, and problems persist, the compression test becomes very important to know what to do next. If there is a dropped cylinder indicating a weak/bad head gasket, you could try the Bar's leak sealer in a last ditch effort to remedy the problem. But remember that nothing can replace metal and worn parts, it's all just a bandaid. Yet, if that bandaid lasts for a few years and saves you money, then it might be worth it. I just wouldn't put in the sealer unless I was sure there was a leak.

[Strider1048]

Sorry to drag up an old thread, but just in case anyone can benifit from the results, I'm going to post what I've had done since I last posted.

1. First time to the mechanic they said it was something small like a broken flasher or something like that. Fixed for under 30$. (Turns out to be a problem with my multifunction switch as of now)

2. My starting problem was never looked at, but after a few months of driving, it has been starting almost every 1st crank. I'm possibly thinking my multifunction switch may have something to do with it? Possibly a wiring issue with another part? W/e it is, the problem hasn't came up recently.

3. Recently took my car in to check why the brake lights weren't working and it turns out the previous owner did some bad wiring with his sound system in the back. I find out that tons of wires from the back of the vehicle to the front are melted together. Definately a mess and quite expensive to fix. Rougly $500+ in labor. Nonetheless, this solved my trunk issue and brought up another... The mechanic said that the multifunction switch was shorted due to bad wiring and said I have to get the multifunction switch replaced before the brake lights will work again.

4. The problem turned out to be a leak in my radiator. Along with replacing a worn belt, and the earlier signal problem, came out to be about 400$ parts and labor.

Well, thanks for the response 82Stang, definately helped educate me for when I took it down to the mechanic.

[82Stang]

Originally Posted by Strider1048

Sorry to drag up an old thread, but just in case anyone can benifit from the results, I'm going to post what I've had done since I last posted.

1. First time to the mechanic they said it was something small like a broken flasher or something like that. Fixed for under 30$. (Turns out to be a problem with my multifunction switch as of now)

2. My starting problem was never looked at, but after a few months of driving, it has been starting almost every 1st crank. I'm possibly thinking my multifunction switch may have something to do with it? Possibly a wiring issue with another part? W/e it is, the problem hasn't came up recently.

3. Recently took my car in to check why the brake lights weren't working and it turns out the previous owner did some bad wiring with his sound system in the back. I find out that tons of wires from the back of the vehicle to the front are melted together. Definately a mess and quite expensive to fix. Rougly $500+ in labor. Nonetheless, this solved my trunk issue and brought up another... The mechanic said that the multifunction switch was shorted due to bad wiring and said I have to get the multifunction switch replaced before the brake lights will work again.

4. The problem turned out to be a leak in my radiator. Along with replacing a worn belt, and the earlier signal problem, came out to be about 400$ parts and labor.

Well, thanks for the response 82Stang, definately helped educate me for when I took it down to the mechanic.

Glad it helped!