Why won't this car start... sometimes?

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Car will intermittently not start. This is a no crank, no start. Battery IS NOT the problem. Steering column is loose, but that occurred AFTER this issue began. I am assuming it is the Ignition Control Module... but I want to try to verify other possibilities before I start dumping a bunch of money into this car. This used to occur every 3-4 days. Frequency and length of time before starting is increasing. Car runs well.

samuelpbrown in Melbourne FL

Mar 25, 2015

2 Replies

Popular Answer

stevieray1on Mar 25, 2015

i had the same problem on a 93 regal 3.8L.ran very good.i gave it to my son.a few months later he calls with the same problem as you described.first i checked all 3 coils,one side of 1 coil was not firing,had extra one ofthose.also i had an extra icm.i changed it out,replaced the coils back on it.hit key to start it,and it was cranking over like the other,but finally started,and ran very good and started very good after that.if you want to make sure of yours before throwing money at it,take the icm,and the 3 coils to Autozone,and they can check for you.i also replaced the ignition switch(electrical part),1 year before this.I MISREAD YOUR QUESTION,JUST LOOKED AT IT AGAIN.MY PROBLEM WAS CRANK,BUT HARD TO START,THEN WOULD NOT START.NOW IS YOURS,NO CRANK OVER,NO START?HOW DO YOU KNOW ITS NOT THE BATTERY,HOW DID YOU CHECK IT.

samuelpbrownon Mar 25, 2015

Hi Stevie Ray, Because power was never the issue. I checked and cleaned all connections and bought a new battery (the one was old). But it did not resolve the situation. It's clearly an electronic issue. I'm just not sure how many possibilities there are.

stevieray1on Mar 25, 2015

what happens when you turn key to start,any lights,starter turning?or nothing including no light,no radio,no nothing.

samuelpbrownon Mar 25, 2015

Nothing at all. Sometimes it starts right up. Others it does nothing at all for a while. Usually 3-10 minutes mutes. Then it starts. Weird.

stevieray1on Mar 25, 2015

after i thought about this for a while,its been several years since my ignition switch was replaced.if i remember correctly,it was the same problem you are having.i had a guy do this for me,and he said i had some wires pinched.it corrected my problem,and i think i still have the old switch,even though the car,i sold it,later on to a co-worker.pushrod will be getting in here soon,hopefully he and some others will chime in on this.your switch is over $200.00 for your car.dont throw anything at it yet.

rivaalon Jun 1, 2015

Might have to do with GM key passcode....I believe you have a chip in your key....the onboard module can fail....just looked at a Riv this weekend...same issue....no start, wait a couple miutes starts right up....have seen similar postings for same era Buicks and other GMs. Personally have not experienced the problem to resolve it but apparently it's not so uncommon.

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Whussey1959on Oct 27, 2015

I have 95 riviera I put in key and turn it I t won't start radio won't come on heater won't work and no dash light

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