Starter not working

Tiny
TERRY MALONEY2
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
I can start the car and drive okay, but if you shut it off it will not start for about thirty minutes or so. It will not turn over, nothing.
Monday, March 13th, 2017 AT 6:15 AM

61 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try a security system reset it may be an intermittent problem either with ignition lock or something else in the system. a mechanic should use his scanner on this to see what the problem is. See picture.

This guide can help fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair
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Monday, March 13th, 2017 AT 6:53 AM
Tiny
MCTANK93
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
  • 2001 BUICK LESABRE
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 166,106 MILES
Replaced transmission. Pulled motor and all out. Put new transmission in motor etc. All wires plugged in and grounds checked and triple checked. No crank over. Can cross the starter will turn over no run. All fuses checked and triple checked all are good. Battery is in tip top shape. Starter pulled and tested for extra measure tested good. Turn key to "on" lights come on and stay on, security light goes out (PKIII system), security light does after a few minutes with key left on "on" beeps three times and stays on, Did run a relearn process five times no change. Turn to "start" no crank starter fuse relay clicks no run. Ignition relay is eight volts good the same for starter relay. I am at a loss any help would be great.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MCTANK93
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Update:
plugged in a scan tool and theres no comm to the PCM Or the BCM, testing the pinouts on the PCM will update later.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,861 POSTS
Please get back to us we are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MCTANK93
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
PCM tested bad but was a false bad, Replaced PCM with a exact match no go. Currently its in a shop now still waiting on a answer.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,861 POSTS
Please let us know what happens

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MCTANK93
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Turns out its so stupid, the main wire connector on driver side fender under the hood was backwards. Problem solved
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,861 POSTS
Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DARRELWRIGHT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
Why 2001 lesabre wont start. Battery, alternator and starter is good.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
**No crank at all/nothing/nada when key is engage to starting position

Could be starter relay, clutch switch/park and neutral switch/transmission position switch and ignition switch assuming the battery condition and connections are good. Note:If it doesn't apply disregard.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DMURPHY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 129,000 MILES
Initially the heater would not come on. All the control lights indicates it's on. Heater would not work in auto and could not get the fan to come on or outside vent air even. I checked the fuses and could not find anything amiss. This is when the real trouble started. I went to start the car and Nothing. The dash lights come on but the solenoid/starter doesn't even click. I jumped the battery but nothing. The whole heater story may have nothing to do with it but could could a relay be the problem? I called AAA club and they came out. Same thing, jump did not help. Dead silence. He checked the battery. It's Ok and he did a simple continuity check and it appeared that power was getting as far as the fuse box. Any ideas before I have the car towed to a Dealership? I swapped out the few 10 amp fuses that I initialy touched but still nothing and again maybe it's coincidental.
Thanks,
Dennis
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Hi:
Dennis, are you getting power to the starter when the key is in the start position? If you are, it sounds like a bad starter. If you're mot getting power, go to the relay and check it. If no power there, check the ignition switch itself (not the key). The problems may be tied together.

Joe
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EELLIS09
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 BUICK LESABRE
My 2001 buick la sabre won't start, the radio and a/c come on, what could it be?
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Most likely battery can you get a jump?
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:29 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JONATHAN.L
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 BUICK LESABRE
2001 Buick Lesabre 6 cyl Automatic 160000 miles

Hi, I've been driving a second-hand lesabre for a year and a half now and have not really had engine problems, until now. I've had three window motors go out, but that is something I can live with right now. My engine not starting, on the other hand, is something I can't.
I was driving to work today and when I got out, I heard a sound coming from the front. It sounded like a belt turning or something like that. I popped the front open, but didn't see anything wrong. There was a slight burning smell. I tried to start my car, but I turned the key, and it wouldn't even turn over the start. The brake locked up and nothing happened. It's been a little harder to start it recently, but nothing like this. I let the car sit for a bit and came back to look at it. There were no sounds, but when I put the key in to start it, it wouldn't turn and the belt sound came back on. Help, please?
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It sounds as if your battery may be dead. If you can jump start it with aset of jumper cables then that may be the case. If you charge your battery and take it to a auto parts they can test it for you. If you have a digital volt meter put on to the positive and the other to the negative and it should read at least 12.40 if it doesn't then the battery maybe bad. If it does then the battery cables should be cleaned and try it again.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FREQUENTFLYER99
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 BUICK LESABRE
  • 19,400 MILES
I backed it out of my driveway and, having forgot to get soemthing in the house, turned it off. When I tried to start it again, I could hear a click near the key, but lights do not dim and engine does not turn over. Battery was checked but is fine. One person suggested it has something to do with the key or Theft Deterrent system. Any advice?
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check your fuse in teh rear fuse box under seat marked ign sw. Also the sufe under hood in undrhood fuse box marked pcm/ign also the circuit breakeer marked start. Then check the relay in same box. If all that is good then hit eh starter on the side of body with hammer and if it starts the starter is bad. Also check your battery with a vom and it should read 12.4 volts with nothing on like lights, etc.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FREQUENTFLYER99
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
My apologies for mistyping, but lights do NOT dim. I will give your suggestions a try.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Any word on this frequentflyer?
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:30 AM (Merged)

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