98 Regal problems

[Shrunken_Head]

Okay, so here is the list. I have owned a 98 Regal GS for over a year and my father bought it new. Never a problem. Now a big one. The car died on me while driving a week ago, no hiccups, sputters or anything. The week before this, the service engine soon light would come on and automatically turn the traction control off. When it died I had not known it until I had to turn a corner. It started back up and drove home fine. When I went to start it the next morning, it would start and run fine in park and Neutral. If you put it in any drive gear, all the instruments go haywire. The Drivers info center will randomly cycle through all it's options, the U.S./metric goes nuts and the car dies. If you try to start it, sometimes it will, sometimes it won't even click. I own a custom shop so I brought it here and tried to pull codes. No DTC's in the system. The Battery is good, fuel pressure is good, and all fuses are good. I drove it a little today and it did fine until I put on the turn signal, then it died. I know that can mean the ignition switch has failed but can that cause all the gauges to go nuts? The body control Module was another option to look at. Anyone with any help would be appreciated.

[GTP Dad]

The BCM is a possibility but did the security light come on when this happened? If it did this seems to be a common problem lately with them malfunctioning. GM had a better idea with this system but it can cause the problems you describe.

[Shrunken_Head]

no, the security light never came on. The car will not even try to turn over now. When the key is in the run position, you can put a signal on and all the gauges, lights, ign, everything will turn off. That is why I think it may be the ignition switch.

[GTP Dad]

Ignition switch is a good choice. You may also want to check the grounds to make sure you don't have a bad one that is not allowing voltage to the car.

[brunnj]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

Ignition switch is a good choice. You may also want to check the grounds to make sure you don't have a bad one that is not allowing voltage to the car.

My wife's 97 Regal did something similar. When she would give left turn signal the speedometer would go haywire and when she would give a right turn signal, the car would die. It turned out to be the ignition switch. Just under $400 for parts and labor at local Chevy dealership.

[Shrunken_Head]

It was the ignition swith. I bought one at my local dealership (not avaliable at parts stores) for $83. I installed it in under an hour three days ago. No problems since. Thanks eveyone.