Me and my buick are having problems, I can't get it to start. I broke the lock on the ignition cylinder and replaced it, started having problems shortly before i replace it. Put the key in turned it, nothing, not even a klick. I have replaced the battery, the starter and the computer, still nothing. Could there be something in the steering column that is broke? Is there something in the tranny that won't allow the car to start?
My guess is that it's related to the ignition cylinder....
Do you get an SES light?
Well, I'm not real sure what the ses light is but, all the gauges, idiot lights, headlights, etc. work. You know the Am/Fm part of my radio recently stopped working also, the cassette player, and the electric antenna still work but the the radio, and the time parts don't. The car was running fine up to a couple of days ago even with the ignition and radio problem. Just started having problems starting it one day and it got progressivly got worse to the point i can't get it started at all now.
SES = Service Engine Soon (or Check Engine Light)... does it come on when you turn the key on, flash once or so and then go out? Does it stay on? Does it never come on? That will tell us whether the ECM is "playing" or not.
Check the CCCI fuse (in the fuse block) and the ECM fuse. Also, make sure the orange wire up by the battery is making connection.
I'd bet it's something like that.... let us know what you find out?
When you say it is not starting, do you mean it won't turn over? ...or is it turning over just not starting? If it doesn't crank, then the ignition switch on top of the column may be out of adjustment. You may also have a blown fuse for the radio. I'd check all of those. The radio uses more than one, I think.
Brian
P.S. Good Luck. Electrical problems are always fun.
Oops, I just read your first post. I see that it wasn't cranking. The ign may be out of adjustment with the actual switch. This switch is on top of the steering column, down near the firewall. The lock cylinder connects to it by a rod. The switch can be adjusted by loosening two screws, and sliding it towards or away from the steering wheel. You may be able to push it in further with a screwdriver too see if that is it. You will have to drop the panel under the column to get to it, then become a contortionist just to see it. If you want to, I can snap a picture of a spare column that I have, and send it to you, just so you know what you are looking for.
Brian
Ken,
The SES light comes on and blinks twice then stays on. The ecm and ccci fuse are ok, and the orange wire is connected.
Brian,
The Switch seems to be adjusted ok i can feel the rod moving in the switch and It tested ok on my meter. I also have power to the switch. Is there another way that I can test it? Just a thought, but if the TCC solenoid was sticking would it create the problem that I'm having.
Thanks
Tim
Tim
There are a couple of routes that you can take next. You have to see if the starter is getting juice. You can crawl underneath, and check the small single lead to see if it is getting 12v when you turn the key. You will have to have someone turn the key for you. If you get power, then it is the starter. If you don't, then it is somewhere else.
Do you have a scan tool? (When I built my car, I used Ken's Turbo Link to set this. It takes out the guess work, less trial and error.) Maybe the column is out of adjustment, and it won't start because your Park/Neutral switch isn't engaged. Try turning the key to start, and moving the shifter through the gears, or grab the part of the column that moves(where the column shift is, or would be if you have a console shifter), move it around, and see if it starts then. This switch may be out of adjustment, or the bushings may be gone in the linkage. You can also check to see if your backup lights come on in reverse. If not then you can bet it is out of adj. Good luck.
Brian
Ok, I changed the Ignition switch, still nothing. I checked the voltage to the small lead on the starter solenoid, I have voltage to it when the key is turned to start. I did notice that my backup lights come on when I put it in park, not reverse, but I can turn them off by turning the collar on the steering column alittle. Is it possible that the starter is bad? I thought if the starter was bad that I still would have solenoid noise when I turned the key but I don't even have that.I have already changed the solenoid. I read something in my service manuals about a purple wire, what's that?
Tim,
If you have power at the small wire when the key is turned to start but the starter doesn't do anything, then that sounds like a bad starter solenoid. If it was the starter and not the solenoid, then you would get a click. I would double check to make sure that your Neg battery cable is connected good. You can replace just the solenoid, for only a couple of bucks, but the starter is just as old as the solenoid. So, I would suggest replacing the whole unit. I have replaced just the solenoid before, only to have to do the starter a couple of weeks later. I just replaced mine last week. I put in a Delco unit for $82 with a core charge of $5.50. NAPA had one for 50-something, but they had to order it, and I didn't feel like getting stuck while I was waiting for it. If you do pull it, just make sure that you have a heat shield over the starter. I forgot to put mine on and my starter started acting up shortly afterwards. I think the heat just pushed my old starter over the edge.
But, since you just changed the solenoid, and have nothing, are you sure you put the small wire on the correct terminal. The instructions with mine said to put the wire on the terminal marked 'S'.
The purple wire is another switch on top of the column, even closer to the firewall. If I remember correctly, there are two purple wires. They plug into a switch. This switch is your P/N safety switch. There are also some other wires on there. This switch also does your back up lights. The switch is on detents. You can move the switch to make fine adjustments. But if you are getting powr at the starter, then this shouldn't be the problem. Good Luck
Brian
Well, Got it started. Removed the radio, that didn't work, removed the starter, cleaned the wires, they had alittle corrision & grease on them, and put a new starter in. Started right up, go figure. Thanks for all your help. On to the next problem, The transmission is shifting terrible when it gets up to operating temp. But i'll go to the other form for this problem. Thanks again. Tim
I have an 87 t-type. when I got it it had a borken wire cutting power to the coil and I have fxed that. now the car cranks over but seems to have jumped time. can anyone tell me how it might have jumped time or if there is another reason it might not start.
thanks Buddha.