Turn Signal kills engine. aargh!

[Tennessee]

Newbie here, Please help. I have a 98 Buick LS that whenever you use the Turn signal it kills the motor dead. I replaced the battery about six weeks ago and small bulb sockets on left rear panel that is on trunk hood, because of corrosion. Well this car will not even start now,actually it will not even crank. After replacing light sockets it seemed to be o.k. but airbag and seatbelt warning light blinked when using signal. then it went back to killing motor when using Turn signal. Now Iam lucky to even get a clicking noise when trying to start. Battery seems to be very strong. All suggestions will be most appreciated.

[bar fightin man]

that sux

[spf30]

This does indeed suck. I have a 98 GS as well and the same problem happened to me this winter. OBD diagnostics could not figure it out (Although they are always happy to perform that service for $65 a pop) and all the electrical on my car was fine.....with the exception of the HVAC display in the car. The display had faded out to nothing back in 2004 and I thought nothing of it. The problem is that the replacement is about $700 (New HVAC unit).

Back to your problem. the signal light seems to short somehow and places a huge load on the system. It went away for me as soon as I washed the car (Go figure!) but it may come back again next winter.

I love this car but the cheap parts in it have me shaking my head.

Good luck to you,
Shane

[willywog]

Originally Posted by Tennessee

Newbie here, Please help. I have a 98 Buick LS that whenever you use the Turn signal it kills the motor dead. I replaced the battery about six weeks ago and small bulb sockets on left rear panel that is on trunk hood, because of corrosion. Well this car will not even start now,actually it will not even crank. After replacing light sockets it seemed to be o.k. but airbag and seatbelt warning light blinked when using signal. then it went back to killing motor when using Turn signal. Now Iam lucky to even get a clicking noise when trying to start. Battery seems to be very strong. All suggestions will be most appreciated.

I too have the same model car. the same thing happened to me, when I turn the left turn signal it killed the engine. I have replaced both the battery and the alternator to no avail. tested the starter, that was fine, was told to check the ignition switch on the steering column. I took off the bottom housing of the steering column, and just a few light hits on the switch, the car started like nothing ever happened. Now I need to figure out how to test the ignition switch, and/or remove it from the steering column. Hope this helps some.

[Tennessee]

Originally Posted by willywog

I too have the same model car. the same thing happened to me, when I turn the left turn signal it killed the engine. I have replaced both the battery and the alternator to no avail. tested the starter, that was fine, was told to check the ignition switch on the steering column. I took off the bottom housing of the steering column, and just a few light hits on the switch, the car started like nothing ever happened. Now I need to figure out how to test the ignition switch, and/or remove it from the steering column. Hope this helps some.

I just want everybody to know that it was indeed the Electronic Ignition Switch. I took off bottom cover of Steering Column and pushed on wires to Electronic Ignition Switch and the car fired right up. I had to do this about every time to get it to start. I have replaced this switch since then and everything is fine.Thanks willywog and others for replies.