Won't start, good battery, starter and fuses. Light but no crank.

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Recently had the side of my Buick repainted, it was sitting for 3 weeks and when the guy who painted it was driving it back to my house the lights dimmed a bit, came back in then the car completely died. Tried starting it and all it did was *click. Tried jumping it and nothing happened. Tested the battery and it's fine, tested the starter fuse it's good, tested the starter it's self and it's good. Is there anything else it could be that doesn't involve a blown engine or head gasket?

Ciaccio in Prescott Valley AZ

Dec 7, 2013

6 Replies

Popular Answer

cardocIIIon Dec 7, 2013

A voltage drop between the battery, charging system, and the under-hood fuse block could do it. A voltage drop on the ground circuits could too.

Ciaccioon Dec 8, 2013

That would keep it from starting even when we try and jump it?

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ProfessorGon Dec 8, 2013

Why would you think it's hydrolocked. As #1 suggest, check your power and ground connections. You say the fuses are good, but do they have battery voltage. Is your engine ground connected to a clean bolt or is the surface under it clean. Use a DVOM and see if there is a good connection. Just because all looks good doesn't mean they are good.

bmdoubleon Dec 8, 2013

As suggested,check the battery pos. and gnd connections and I hear that the ignition switch on these cars can cause multiple electrical issues.just a thought

bad007on Dec 8, 2013

Did major collision for 20years and have seen this. How old is the battery? There is a space between the plates in the battery and the bottom where debris from the plate collects with age and with an impact it can shift and get into the plates and cause a internal short and even jumping it wont work. How was the battery tested and what is the voltage before trying to start and during?

Ciaccioon Dec 8, 2013

Tested the battery at auto zone, plus a mechanic friend of mine has a voltage checker, before trying to start it the voltage is at 12.5 I believe. The other question I have is what would have cause the car to all the sudden shut down while driving down the high way? The battery is only 1 yr old.

bad007on Dec 8, 2013

12.5, but also should have checked it while attempting to start it. If the voltage tanks vers. little change helps with finding the problem. Voltage at the starter also helps. Usually a strong single click is the starter. Funny it started this after the body was repaired. Shutting down while driving could be a lot of things. A real common one lately has been mass air flow sensors. Tap on it and see if the engine stumbles for starters.

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WorldsBestCoffeeon Mar 29, 2015

Run a diagnostic. MY '06 Buick Lacrosse had the same problem and it turned out that the ECM (Engine Control Module) wasn't sending a signal to fire the engine. I also had a misfire in many of the cylinders. I turned the key to accessories for a full second or two then tried cranking it and that WORKED!! At that point I was able to drive the car to the dealer and they replaced the ECM for $715. If that is indeed the problem the Part is about $400 if you want to do it yourself. AES modules said they can program it before they ship it to you.

Nosleep4on Mar 26, 2017

hi there i was exited to hear this because i own a 2006 with the same problem. i am able to get it started by passing the relay. were you able to do the same with yours?

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mechelle bon Jan 23, 2016

Batterie cables had to be replaced on my 2006 buick lacross. Everything worked it just wouldn't start.

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