'90 buick regal ignition starting issue.... weird problem

[kpeters0929]

Hello,
So i have a weird issue going on with my '90 regal custom.
After driving the car for awhile i notice a clicking type sound (kind of like a relay) but more of a static electrical noise coming from either the steering colum or somewhere underneith. I really can't figure out where it's coming from since it only makes noise when i hit bumps while driving.
Whatever it is, i know it is causing my car NOT to crank when putting the key in the ignition. Reason is when the clicking noise gets worse... if i were to stop somewhere and try to turn the car on it won't start. In the morning it is fine or if the car was sitting for awhile.
Now the weird part is when the car doesn't start i am able to start it with my Viper alarm using the remote start... then put the key in the igition and drive. So that rules out the starter being bad.

I went ahead and had a new igition switch installed (looked like a wiring harness) and figured that would fix it, but it didn't. Now i'm stumped and am debating if i should have the actual key ignition switch replaced or not.

Has anyone had this problem before or heard the buzzing/clicking noise coming from the column? My regal does not have the chip in the key.

[richtazz]

I would bet the problem is with the ignition key cylineer or aftermarket remote start. Either something in the pass-key module is interfering with the signal getting from the ignition cylinder that senses the resistor in the key, or the small wires in the ignition cylinder itself are broken/frayed. Most of those remote start units have an additional key with the correct resistor installed that bypasses the steering column, that's why the car starts with the remote, but not just with the key.

[kpeters0929]

Thanks for the reply,
Again i just wanted to say that my car does not have the resister in the key from the factory... i believe only the '91's and up have that. Mine is a '90.

I will have the ignition key cylinder checked out and possibly replaced, but my main concern is the clicking type noise coming from the column. Whatever that is, is causing the car not to start. It's just really hard to figure out where it's coming from since it only makes the noise while driving over rough terrain.

[richtazz]

Does this car have the floor shifter, or column mounted shifter?

[kpeters0929]

Originally Posted by richtazz

Does this car have the floor shifter, or column mounted shifter?

The car has a column mounted shifter and does have the column tilt. Car has the 3.1 in it, around 45k original miles.

[richtazz]

I would say the ignition switch is out of adjsutment. It mounts to the column, and has a rod that goes from the ignition cylinder to the switch itself. When they get out of adjustment, the key cylinder doesn't have enough travel to slide the switch completely into position. The clicking noise is either the contacts arcing due to not being fully engaged, or possibly the switch rocking on and off it's detents since it's not quite lined up as it should be.