1996 Buick Regal Car will not start, instrument cluster doe

SPIDERMAN09

MEMBER
1996 BUICK REGAL
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

I recently accquired a buick regal custom 1996, and when i got the car, i noiticed that someone had bypassed the cylnder lock, or security system. They had installed 2 toggle switches, and a push button, with several wire running back to the ignition wiring harness. On the advice of the dealership, i replaced the lock cylinder, and got new key with proper resistance. I reconnected the ignition wire, but i have some wires witch have barrels on them, that i left alone. I charged battery, now the instrument cluster does not light, but i have head lights, and interior lights, and brake lights, as well. The car wont even attempt to turn over, but before it would not start, but it would make a ticking noise. I am uncertain of whats wrong with it at htis point, i have little experience with buicks. It seems that there is no power to the starter What are my options at this point, thanks.

3 Replies

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Welcome to the forum, because of the rewiring, I can't tell what's going on? I'd probably use a remote starter button, to see if the starter will crank. Any testing you do at the starter solenoid, make sure the tranny is in park or neutral and the e-brake is set, block the wheels. You can use a screwdriver shank to touch the two terminals at the starter solenoid. The leads on the remote starter button may be long enough, that you can get out from under vehicle, in my experience, the leads aren't long enough.

Is the security or theft lite on or flashing when trying to start? The theft deterrent relay should be next to the theft deterrent module, under right side of dash. You can check circuits at the theft relay, the purple wire from theft relay goes to starter solenoid. The solid yellow wires, two, at the theft relay, should hot with the key in the crank position. The yellow wire with black tracer at the relay, is ground, the theft module grounds that circuit. My info says if there is no ground, replace the theft module. I'm not sure if that applies in your case, because of the rewiring issue? Because of the rewiring issue, not sure how to help? Replacing parts, may not help?

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Monday, October 12th, 2009 AT 10:08 AM

SPIDERMAN09

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for your reply, i am going to try and use the remote starter to see if that will get it to crank. I was wondering if you had any info on the original wiring routes, to be able to tell what wires go where, since they cut a few of them, im not completly sure all the wires are going to the right place, i dont have the shop manual. If all of the wires were conected right, then i sure could be able to trouble shoot better. Its got to be the wire or vats issue, thats causing problem, thanks so much for your help.

P.s-there is this blue wire, and it runs out to the engine, i have not been able to trace it yet, it connects back to the orange wires with the red cap. Im not sure of the brown wire either, that has the yelow barrell on it. does any of this look right?

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Monday, October 12th, 2009 AT 11:55 AM

JDL