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Buick Regal Electrical Problems
My 1997 Regal suddenly had no A/C fan, cooling fan or cruise control working. After 15 minutes or so, everything came back on. Now it happens every couple of days, lasting from 15 minutes to 24 hours. When they're not working, turning the fan knob on cause the headlights to go off completely even though the fan won't come on. I've had the battery and alternator checked and they're OK. Anyone have any suggestions?
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That car had loss of air conditioning control (reverted to compresser engaged and defrost sometimes) and power door locks quit for a few minutes or hours...
Moisture affected the grounding connections under the carpet from snow, rain, getting in there and keeping it moist for long periods.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Thanks
With the front passenger door open:
1. Pull the fuse access panel off the end of the dash with your finger (might need a good yank).
2. Locate the red button marked "Reset".
3. Turn the ignition switch to the "On" setting, but do not start the engine. Note how the "Low Tire" indicator comes on.
4. While watching the dash indicator reach back and press and hold the reset switch. The "Low Tire" light will flash a few times, then go off after just a few seconds.
5. Release the switch when the light goes out.
6. Replace fuse access panel and close the passenger door.
It might be worth remembering this procedure as you will need to repeat it after any of your tires are removed, such as when rotating tires or doing brake work.
Also, I highly recommend you inspect the condition of the engine coolant. Perhaps you have heard some of the horror stories going around about Dex-Cool (nick-named "Death-Cool"). It is touted to be good for 5 years or 150,000 miles, but many who trusted that statement have found sludge in their radiators and having to replace head gaskets at around $850. My suggestion would be to check the level in the overflow tank monthly to avoid letting air get into the cooling system, and to have the system flushed after 3 years, not five.
All the best, Ken.
Turn signals - left, none working
right, only rear works
Hazards not working at all.
Checked all bulbs and fuses, all good.
any ideas????
ignition switch off. It will not crank over now. It is not getting fire to
the starter solenoid. I have found out that it has an anti-theft relay
and module and think it may be the anti-theft module. The fire from the
ignition is going through the relay. I checked this with a test light. I
was also checking voltage to a yellow wire with a black stripe that
goes to anti-theft module from the anti-theft relay and the vehicle
started. I removed the test light from the circuit and it went dead. I am
taking the dash out now to try to find the anti-theft module. Would
appreciate any advice and if any one knows how to wire around the anti-theft
devices let me know.
Does the security light come on when the turn the key to "on"?
Does the security light go off after 15 seconds or so if you don't turn the key to crank?
When you crank do all the lights stay on on the dash but you get no clicks or anything when you turn the key to crank?
If you get no crank, does it act like it blinks the lights when the turn to crank for 3 times and then after that acts like there's no key or anything turned to crank? The security lights stays on for 3-4 minutes and shuts off allowing attempt to restart with clean key or new key.
Check here
https://usautomotive.co.uk/tech/Anti-theft.asp
If it's the wires in the column between the connector at the base and the ignition switch where the contacts touch the key, the correct two wires can be identified at the base and connected with a resistor of the appropriate value and that will fool the VATS module into thinking it always has the right key inserted!
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I would just solder in the resistor and be happy. Messing with the airbag and taking apart the column to get to the wires at the flex point and then replacing the cylinder doesn't sound like fun to me. I think my dealer charged me near $200 to do the job with 2 news keys on 93 LeSabre. I could have put in a resistor myself!!!
ONly thing is your car has no theft protection against someone who has the right key; but probably thieves'll never know it doesn't have it!!!
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Did you solder the resistor on or how did you connect it?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Thanks.
If it's the same as the automatic LeSabre then you have a control circuit board instead of a resistor board that's in the air ducts where the blower can cool it. That circuit board can go bad. Usually on the H-series cars it locks on and keeps the blower running after the ignition is shut off. In other cases it doesn't start the blower whether in auto mode or manual blower mode. Sometimes the blower speed is erratic. These boards are available at Advance Auto and other parts suppliers and gmpartdirect.com and rockauto.com. But you want to troubleshoot first!
If you can check when cold at connection for blower motor to see if it's getting power you'll know what to look at next. Fuses, there probably is more than one. Possibly a relay (does it work on high speed?).
You might seek out a reputable shop where you can leave the car for them to check on a cold morning.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
only way to turn it off was disconnect the battery because when i bought the car it didn't have owners manual which was supose to be sent to me in the mail....... burning and not only on bottom!!!
Do both seats stay on, or is it just the one? If just the one, then the problem might be the switch for that seat.
Still under bumper-to-bumper warranty?
thanks!!!
This evening my wife tried to start the car and the battery seemed to be dead. A check by the tow truck operator showed the battery fully charged. He towed the car to the Buick dealer that replaced the switch last fall.
Guess we will find out Monday what the problem is.
At least GM warrants the switch for 12months or 12k miles.
The car has 80K miles on it.
Will post results of dealers findings Monday.
Added brake fluid and all is well. So it was not the ignition switch after all.
If you buy a new battery it should be prorated. Save the papers so that when it is time to purchase new battery you are not out the full cost.
If you ever go to start the car and there is nothing, check the battery first. Unhook it and clean it. It may get you started so you can drive to buy a new battery. And yes changing the battery is fun too.
My bad terminal cost me a few hours one morning. Good luck.
Wonder if the little felt corrosion washer would be worth putting on the battery?
It flashes when you start the car and then remains on after the car is running.
Anything to check this weekend before she takes to dealer on Monday?
2000 Regal GS, 80K miles
It was wedged near a yellow plug. It appeared that the plug was still plugged in, but maybe not. She is taking it to the dealer to get checked out.
Hope that was the problem. I noticed in the owners manual it mentioned being careful around any yellow plugs. Just did not mention where they were.
Thanks for the information!
The plug appeared to be in OK, all I did was push it back together although I didnt feel any movement.
This morning we get in, the airbag light flashed like normal and then went out! Anyway all's well , I guess.
One last thing: If the problem ends up being the ABS brake pump, Buick will pay for half (if not the entire cost)if you have less then 70,000 miles on the odometer. Brake pump costs $1,900 installed.
I have a 96 buick regal. I replace the hazard fuse
last time and it work for about 3 months. Is my car shorting it out that quick. Or do I need a new switch on the brake pedal.
1. With headlights illuminated, instrument cluster lights go off intermittently and may come back on. Only shift position/odometer and clock lights on. Suspect loose connection, bad ground or bad light switch. Removed panel at end of dash at switch but could not remove switch to inspect. Does anyone have instructions to remove switch and/or recommendation for DIY fix for dash board lights?
2. Recently experienced that ignition key will periodically not move to last "remove" position when engine turned off and then cannot extract key. Moving steering wheel does not always help. Normally have to restart engine and move car back and forth while centering steering wheel. On level surface. Had ignition switch replaced last year when engine failed in traffic. Suggestions?
My wife was having intermittent lights coming on , but this was happening during daytime. After ignition switch replaced, this cleared up as well.