98 Buick Regal GS won't start

[Big Dan58]

I need help, Please!

I have a 98 Buick Regal GS. When I was stopped, waiting for a light to change, it stalled. The starter wouldn’t turn, but the ignition was turning on. After a little while (15 minutes), it started again. I was able to drive it about another 4 blocks, and it died again. Same thing with no starter turning, but the ignition working. Now the power windows don’t operate along with anything else inside the car, but the instrument panel lights up when you turn the key in the “On” position.

I’m dazed and definitely confused, and don’t know where to look, now. The battery is still fully charged. I think it may be an electrical short or a bad relay, but have no idea where to look.

Thanks All,

[GTP Dad]

Check the wiring at the battery and where the negative wire connects to the block. It appears you have a bad connection especially since everything goes dead. It could also be in the starter solenoid as the majority of the electrical power for the vehicle goes through the solenoid. You could have a bad connection there.

[Big Dan58]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

Check the wiring at the battery and where the negative wire connects to the block. It appears you have a bad connection especially since everything goes dead. It could also be in the starter solenoid as the majority of the electrical power for the vehicle goes through the solenoid. You could have a bad connection there.

Thanks for your reply GTP Dad, What I don’t understand is why the instrument panel stays lit up as when the car is the in the start mode, but the power windows and other items don’t work, but there is power to the car. Not everything goes dead (no power), Dome Light still works, headlights work fine, hazard lights work fine, Wouldn’t a bad ground give intermittent power, instead of constant power? I’ll check it anyway (you never know!).

[GTP Dad]

Not necessarily, the engine requires a good ground to start due to the amount of power that is needed to turn the starter and engine. There are also other grounds to the other areas of the car and even a small amount of ground will allow the lights to come on.

[Big Dan58]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

Not necessarily, the engine requires a good ground to start due to the amount of power that is needed to turn the starter and engine. There are also other grounds to the other areas of the car and even a small amount of ground will allow the lights to come on.

I checked the contact to the battery, the negative battery cable to the chasis and the ground for the engine as well. They appear to making a good contact. Where else can I check?

[GTP Dad]

Check the wiring at the starter solenoid. Sometimes they fray and don't allow good contact. This is not a ground but a hot wire but can cause a lot of trouble. The other possibility is that the battery is bad internally and not putting out enough voltage to turn the car over. I just had a friend that had a new battery and would not start the car. The battery had faulted internally and even though the lights worked the vehicle would not start.

[Big Dan58]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

Check the wiring at the starter solenoid. Sometimes they fray and don't allow good contact. This is not a ground but a hot wire but can cause a lot of trouble. The other possibility is that the battery is bad internally and not putting out enough voltage to turn the car over. I just had a friend that had a new battery and would not start the car. The battery had faulted internally and even though the lights worked the vehicle would not start.

I appreciate all of your ideas so far, but I can’t understand why the car died while waiting at a red light. It was as though the ECM went bad, but started afterwards. I also thought that the battery might have gone bad even if it is only 3 months old (Sears Diehard Gold). Do you think that there may be an issue with the key transponder? Do you have any knowledge with this?

[GTP Dad]

That is always possible. Is the security light on? If so you may need to have the entire system reset. These things are a good idea but they can be a PITA. If you have a different original key try it as that may cure the problem or at least make it start. Unfortunately I have limited knowledge of this system since most of the books don't even mention them and they can cause huge problems.

[beemertech]

I have the same problem with my 98 regal it sounds like. Did you ever find anything out. I have been going crazy trying to figure this out.

[maxwedge]

Welcome to AF. This thread is 2 years old, and dead at this point, start a new thread, thanks.