Starter not working

Tiny
POPWORM
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 88,500 MILES
I have a 91 Le Sabre. When I try to start it all I get is a click sound. Not clicking. The batt is fine-all the lights and control panel work. All the fuses are good too. And it is not out of gas. I recently put in a new o2 sensor and new plugs & wires and changed the oil. The car ran fine for 2 weeks and then this no starting thing. We got it started one time with jumper cables but this time it didn't work. So I put in a new starter and it made the same sound. Any advice? If anybody who reads this plzzz help me any idea will help my email is sleepingjack55@yahoo. Com thanks
Monday, May 31st, 2010 AT 3:01 AM

36 Replies

Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

Since you have the same problem after replacing the starter, you either got a bad starter or your battery is bad.

This guide can tell whats going on

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

FYI - Just because all your eletrical work fine doesn't mean your battery is good. If you check you battery with a Volt/Ohm meter it could show full charge (12.60 volts). What the meter doesn't show you is what the CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) are and they are what is needed to turn the engine over. And depending how low they are in some cases jump starting from another vehicle may not work.

I suggest you remove the battery and take to your local parts store for proper testing.

.
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Monday, May 31st, 2010 AT 7:56 AM
Tiny
GEMINI27889
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1990 BUICK LESABRE
  • 158,456 MILES
A new battery was just put in. I t cranked a couple of times but now it will turn over but will not crank.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Have a helper crank it, while you check for spark at the plugs and injector pulse. Use a gage and check fuel pressure. How long since a tune-up? Any applicable mil codes?
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Just to add, cranking is starter motor action. So your saying it cranks good but won't start?
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+1
Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MISSYSUE03
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1990 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
It seems that whenever its rainy or snowy outside or really cold, my car doesnt like to start. It seems that I have to start it every couple hours to make sure it starts and even thats not always guarenteed. I have gotten a jump from some people and it seems that sometimes it we try long enought my jumping it, it will start.I dont think its the battery because it only happensat this time and the only reason the battery dies is because we drain it trying to start the car. Please help!
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Test the battery and if that is not the culprit then try to jump it and test the alternator, I will send you some links that will show you just how you can do it
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/battery.htm
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-1
Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_test_alternator.htm
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SABIAR49
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1990 BUICK LESABRE
  • 150,000 MILES
1990 Buick LaSabre 6-Cyl gas engine. Does not start, sudden onset. Turned key in ignition everything went dead, no lights on dash. Tried charging battery and jump starting but no impact. No electrical power to systems. Was running well up to this point. Noted power came back on, light in truck and ceiling lit, but when I tried to start, when key turned, everything went dead again.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the battery and connections if okay-possibilities here could be the starter motor, starter relay, park/neutral switch and ignition switch

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TENNLIVIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My Buick did the same thing. It was the key whichI replaced and it started right up. It cost me $18.00.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SABIAR49
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I suspect starter or relay, possibly ignition. I am confused by the "key" being the problem. The key I use turns easily in the ignition, just no responce. And there is no power to any system. Maybe the non-battery end of one both cables is not making good contact. Waiting for warm weather.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LADYNNEED
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1990 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 16,200 MILES
My 90 buick LaSabre will not crank once it gets hot.
We replaced the mass air volume control, then the computer said it was the coil pack, we replaced that and then the fuel pump. And still doing the same thing. Runs fine while its on, but once you turn if off, it has to sit till it cools down, sometime 3, 4 or maybe even 6 hrs. Any suggestions? Ive spent 550 to far!
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MR TOM
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Next time it gets hot and will not crank, try spraying or pouring water on the crank sensor and then see if it will start. My 90 did the same thing the water test worked and a new crank sensor fixed it. I worked for a buick dealer for over twenty years.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAW
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1990 BUICK LESABRE
  • V8
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 147,000 MILES
Is there a fuel safety valve on 90 Buick LeSabre?
Hose clamp broke on bottom of radiator and lost all fluid, while on expressway. Car lost power, temp gauge went all the way and after car cooled and fluid was added car now won't turn over.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Are you saying the starter won't even crank? Is the engine siezed? Can you turn the crank pulley or flywheel by hand?
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BNAHARVEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1989 BUICK LESABRE
Engine Mechanical problem
1989 Buick Lesabre 6 cyl Automatic 89000 miles

We have a 1989 buick lesabre. When we go to crank it, it tries to turn over but won't crank. It is not getting no spark to crank. We have tried replacing the ignition coil, the ignition module, and replaced the battery. Just was wondering if you can help us decide what to do next or what it might be. (He has also pulled out the some of the fuses to make sure they haven't blown). HELP!
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
First I recommend purchasing a service manual for your car. This will provide you with the specs, wiring diagrams and illustrations that would take me a very long time to hunt down for you.

Then, the first thing you need to use is a DVOM to see if there's 12-volts present at the ignition coil pack. If there isn't, trace the wires/connectors until you find out why.

If there is, then you need to see if the Ignition control module is telling your coils to fire. You do this with a test light connected to the "Start/run" terminal, removing the fuel pump relay, and turning the engine over while watching the test light. (This is why you should purchase a service manual for diagrams)

Your control module needs to receive a crank and cam signal in order to tell your coils to fire. So if the module isn't sending a signal to the coils, then on/more of these sensors is bad, the wiring/connectors are bad, or the module itself has failed.

You need to "TEST", then "REPLACE" the components in the ignition system. Playing a guessing game will only cost you money that could've been spent on a mechanic.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:23 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NICOLEG209
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1989 BUICK LESABRE
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 152,000 MILES
All new everything almost, starter, plugs, wires, tires etc. Fuel pump, filter, and relay all new. Ignition cylinder new too. Turns over, will not crank just buzzing noise from somewhere maybe the electronics box under dash. Starts sometimes if I mess with it while key is being turned in the start position while buzzing is happening. I have to kind of slightly push the metal ring around the cylinder will turning key over. Ugh, help! Is the buzzer switch in the steering wheel hub bad?
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
The buzzing sounds like the starter solenoid reacting to low voltage. I would follow this guide to see if the battery passes the test.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 10:24 AM (Merged)

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