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Vehicle loses power randomly while driving

Tiny
TSTRONG1
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 BUICK LA CROSSE
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 95,000 MILES
Hello,

I am a new owner of the car listed above CX model. I have recently bought it from a used car dealership in Buffalo, MN about three months ago.

About a month ago the car started to act funny. The car will randomly not start from time to time, the car will flash all sorts of dash lights and gauges will spin or turn off uncontrollably while I'm driving (speed does not matter), the car will lose power steering and shut offs when I'm driving. Headlights will turn on and off while I'm driving (which can be quite unsafe at night as I have found out).

I replaced the alternator about three weeks go thinking that it may be going out, that did not solve the problem. The car has a new battery which was installed right as I bought the car three months ago (I checked the voltage across the terminals it is good).

One interesting temporary solution I have found is, when the car does not start if I disconnect the ground terminal (black) from the battery and I reconnect it, it will start right up with no issues for some time, until it starts acting up again. I have made sure the terminals are tight as can be multiple times and this issue keeps occurring. For some reason the disconnection of this terminal and re-connection seems to temporarily solve the starting problem.

Can someone please help me diagnose this?
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Wednesday, January 16th, 2019 AT 8:07 AM

18 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

Do you have any codes stored in the system? Have you had the codes checked?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

I would start with a scan. It is a free service from a parts store. That will lead us in the right direction of the failure.

Roy
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Wednesday, January 16th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM
Tiny
TSTRONG1
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Thanks for answering so quickly Roy, I have not had the codes checked yet. I'll have the codes looked read soon and get back to you with the results.
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Wednesday, January 16th, 2019 AT 10:46 AM
Tiny
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Sounds like a plan.

Roy
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Wednesday, January 16th, 2019 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
TSTRONG1
  • MEMBER
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I stopped by a parts store last night, had the codes read and picked up some new battery terminals/cables. The results of the code reader were blank, no codes to view. Last night I also installed a new battery ground/terminal, the car started up just fine after the installation.

Not sure if the problem is fixed with the new battery ground cable, seems to be for now. Any other ideas if it keeps occurring?
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Thursday, January 17th, 2019 AT 5:25 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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The connections could have caused this issue but nothing was confirmed as bad as you just replaced the battery and terminals.

Bad grounds are common for causing all kinds of issues. I would keep an eye on it and let us know if it comes back.

Roy
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Thursday, January 17th, 2019 AT 5:28 AM
Tiny
TSTRONG1
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Sounds good, I'll let you know if anything else comes up.

Thanks,

T-
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Thursday, January 17th, 2019 AT 5:31 AM
Tiny
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Sounds like a plan.

Roy
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Thursday, January 17th, 2019 AT 5:40 AM
Tiny
TSTRONG1
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
So I had the codes read and nothing popped up. While I was at the auto store though I bought new terminals for the battery and installed a new ground to the frame. Been driving for two days now with no issues. I'm thinking it was maybe the ground to the battery. I'll keep you posted if anything happens.
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Friday, January 18th, 2019 AT 11:29 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Sounds good. You had already indicated this before.

Keep an eye on it. The grounds may have been the entire issue. Very common for this issue.

Roy
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Saturday, January 19th, 2019 AT 1:59 AM
Tiny
TSTRONG1
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Hey Roy hope you are enjoying winter, I am back again will car issues.

After replacing the ground terminal, frame ground and cables connected I am still having starting issues. Yesterday took my vehicle to a mechanic and had the starter replaced, still an issue this morning when I started the car up for work.

Again, car will start just fine for three to ten starts then it randomly will not start. Disconnecting the ground terminal from the battery and reconnecting it seems to solve the starting issue for short period of time.

I talked to the mechanic this morning and he believes the issue is with the security system and how it interacts with the starting, but I'm just not sure.

As always any advice or help you can provide me is greatly appreciated, I'll be available most or the morning and afternoon to reply.

Thanks,

T-
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 6:58 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, if it is the security system, the security light or theft light would stay on while you are trying to start the car.

Is that the case when it will not start?

Roy
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:01 AM
Tiny
TSTRONG1
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Not that I can remember.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:17 AM
Tiny
TSTRONG1
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I'll keep a closer eye on it next time it wont start. Any other ideas?
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:19 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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I doubt it is security.

The PCM is what grounds the starter relay. It is seeing something it does not like if it is not grounding the relay.

When it does not start again, can you get a test light or voltmeter to do some tests?

Roy
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:22 AM
Tiny
TSTRONG1
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Yes I can do that I have a voltmeter at home. What would you want me to test?
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:38 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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When it does not start, you need to go to the relay and test for powers to the relay. You should have key on power on terminal 30. Then you should have key start power on pin 86.
Pin 85 is the ground for the relay and the PCM is what controls the ground for the control side.

Roy
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:43 AM
Tiny
TSTRONG1
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Sounds good, maybe a dumb question, but is the relay in the fuse box? I know where my fuse box is.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 9:14 AM
Tiny
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Yes it is. It is marked as well.

Roy
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 11:01 AM

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