Intermittent starting problem

[tj127]

I have a 1998 Buick LeSabre with an intermittent starting problem. Every now and then, when I turn the key all the way to the crank position, it will not turn over. All the lights on the dash will be on (in the same way as a normal start), but the starter will not engage. I hear a "ding" and see the security light on the dashboard flash on and off as I turn the key. There is no cranking and no noise from the starter.

The dealer has seen this problem up close and personal. They reported an "open circuit," but were not able to resolve it. The car will start normally fifty or sixty times (or more), and then refuse to start without warning, regardless of air temperature, miles driven, time of day, etc. Typically, the problem will appear to reset itself, and the car will start normally after a few hours or overnight. Any ideas?

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by tj127

I hear a "ding" and see the security light on the dashboard flash on and off as I turn the key. There is no cranking and no noise from the starter.

Obviously, you have a security problem. Do you have another key?

[imidazol97]

[quote=tj127]I have a 1998 Buick LeSabre with an intermittent starting problem. Every now and then, when I turn the key all the way to the crank position, it will not turn over. All the lights on the dash will be on (in the same way as a normal start), but the starter will not engage. I hear a "ding" and see the security light on the dashboard flash on and off as I turn the key. There is no cranking and no noise from the starter.
QUOTE]

When you put the key in and turn to "on," the security light should go on for about 5 seconds and then go off. I believe it should stay off if it found the right resistance in the key chip circuit.

If the light starts blinking on and off, it didn't read the right resistance in the key circuit.

Is there any dimming of the other lights when key is turned to crank? I had a starter go out and it gave one click the first time and after that didn't make any sound that i could hear in the passenger compartment. The starter was not making contact any more to crank. The repair place said that oil in the starter from drips off the oil pan can interfer with the contacts and that's what usually goes bad. I suspect that happened to mine because I did have some oil on the starter and there were drops hanging on the oil pan bolts. But I didn't see much int he way of drips on the ground where I park. I did tighten the bolts slightly and got no more drips on the driveway. There had been just an occasional drop.

Might be oil getting into your starter solenoid contacts?

[andreaclark1975]

My brother is having the same problem? Were you able to correct this issue? If so, how?

Originally Posted by tj127

I have a 1998 Buick LeSabre with an intermittent starting problem. Every now and then, when I turn the key all the way to the crank position, it will not turn over. All the lights on the dash will be on (in the same way as a normal start), but the starter will not engage. I hear a "ding" and see the security light on the dashboard flash on and off as I turn the key. There is no cranking and no noise from the starter.

The dealer has seen this problem up close and personal. They reported an "open circuit," but were not able to resolve it. The car will start normally fifty or sixty times (or more), and then refuse to start without warning, regardless of air temperature, miles driven, time of day, etc. Typically, the problem will appear to reset itself, and the car will start normally after a few hours or overnight. Any ideas?

[tj127]

I took it in to an outfit that specializes in electrical problems. They noticed that it was starting every time in park, but not always in neutral. They could get it to start by nudging the shift lever a bit, leading them to believe it might be the neutral safety switch. They replaced the switch, and it's been fine (at least for the last few days). Ideally, that's all there was to it, but if the problem recurs . . . we'll follow up on the starter / security issues.