Hey all, My GS will not start. I turn the key and nothing............... I went through the buick manual and did some of the diagnostic test, all fingers are pointing at my starter. I am getting no cranking, turning over, or starter noises, nothing. I am getting all of my accessories to operate just fine, radio, lights, convertable top etc. I checked the fusable links on the starter and that is all good. I also check most of the wires under the hood and all are fine. I am going to get a voltmeter/light tester tomorrow and do some other testing. I just wanted to get your thoughts on any other items to check or ideas about what is wrong. Thanks all
if you have power on the batt term of the solenoid & power to the s term with key in crank position,it a starter.make sure BOTH connections are secure/clean/tight.if that checks out ive got em for sale!! :TU:
Did you feel the fusable links or just look at them. Sometimes they can blow and not look like it. It could also be a bad solinoid - you could very carefully try to jump the terminals. Actually, it might be better to drop the starter and take it to your local parts store.
If you're getting not so much as a click, and you've ruled out the fuseable links - I'd take a look at the safety neutral switch on top of the steering column. Had one go bad on a 78 Cutlass......right after putting a new starter in too.
Thanks guys. I didn't want to admit it, but I don't have fuseable links, I checked fo them, and it is just one solid wire the whoe way. I looked at the steering column, and found the neutral safety switch, so at least I know where it is. I did a search in the forum for the neutral safety switch, and got some good info. Is that a parts store part? Or is it a special order type of thing? I am going to get a light tester today and test the power at the starter tomorrow night. If I am getting power and no cranking I wil replace the starter. Is there any way to test the neutral safety switch? Thanks!
If you don't have the fusible links, you can buy them at the auto parts store. Good insurance for not burning your car up.
You can bypass the NSS by unplugging the two purple wire plug and using a jumper wire to connect them. The purple wire goes to the solenoid and energizes the solenoid. Take a test light and have someone turn the key to the start while you hold a test light on the purple that goes to the solenoid. If that works out, then you need to test your solenoid. If the solenoid tests ok, your ignition switch on top of the column has carbon build-up and needs to be cleaned.
Okay, I have a stupid question. Are you sure you dont' have fusable links? They will look like a normal wire with a crimp connector a few inches from the end. If you really don't have fusable links, then it is possible that something shorted, and the car found it's own week point in the wiring... so you may now have a break in the wiring somewhere (or a fused short). Not good.
Truzi, there are no stupid questions.....except mine. ou: I am 90% sure I do not have fusable links. I am going to get the car up on stands this weekend to make sure. I bought a tester yesterday and will be testing for current in the wires with the key in start position. Can I bypass the NSS and just try to start the car? In that case I will know tht the problem is in the NSS (if the car starts). With the key in start I will also check the solenoid to see if it is getting power. How do I go about cleaning the ignition swith? Is it easy to locate on the column? Also, is there anywhere under the hood I should check for current. Someone I work with suggested check the coil. Thanks for the help everyone.
the coil wont cause a no crank.power to battery & ignition "s" term at the solenoid is what you want.s term is hot ONLY when key is in crank position so you will need another hand :grin:
If I can finaggle a way to keep the key in the start position will I be alright? I won't have any extra hands this weekend. Any danger involved in my plan?
Okay, here's an idea. Since you're going to lift the car, just drop the starter. Put it on a bench, get a charger (or battery) and some jumper cables, and carefully give the starter/soliniod power. If the soliniod engages and the starter spins, you know that's not the problem. Unfortunately, I forget which terminals to connect, lol.
Truzi, Thats a good idea on how to test the starter. Iwill have to give it a try, I will just need to know which terminals to use for pos/neg. Ok, an update. This weekend I went out and got new jack stands, a terminal tester and various other items for my project. I tracked down a new starter, and a new neutral safety switch. I wanted to give the GS one last chance to turn over, so I went out to the garage and turned the key.................. And it started :3gears: So now I am in good shape, kinda. I am a little afraid of taking her out for fear of getting stuck somewhere. I think I will drop the starter and check it out and replace the NSS. Any other ideas for the car that starts when it wants? Thanks all.
Hi Mike - Check the battery. If you work the top without the car running, it will limit the life of your battery. I had a similar problem with my GS about 3 years ago that i thought was the starter. read about it Here ...and I agree with the Kelly's comments - fusible links are cheap insurance to ensure your beauty dosen't burn-up. The Buick engineers put them there for a reason. Good luck :beer
Definitely have the starter and solinoid tested anyway. It will probably happen again, so at least you'll be narrowing it down.
