Starting problem

VANTRESIA E SMITH-PEEPLES

MEMBER
2005 BUICK LA CROSSE
3.8L
2WD
AUTOMATIC
203,000 MILES

I replaced the battery and alternator and my car will crank and drive and then shut off completely. No lights and key gets stuck in the ignition. I removed the ground battery wire to see if it had fire and it did and hear clicking to the engine when taped the ground wire to the post. So we have power but I have no connection to crank and I am lost.

Tuesday, March 6th, 2018 AT 6:44 AM

7 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,137 POSTS

Hello,

Sounds like the battery is shorting out. Did you have this problem before you changed the battery or did you change the battery and have the problem?

Please let us know.

Cheers, Ken

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Wednesday, March 7th, 2018 AT 2:01 PM

VANTRESIA E SMITH-PEEPLES

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4 POSTS

Before I changed it out was doing the same thing.

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Wednesday, March 7th, 2018 AT 2:16 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,137 POSTS

It is difficult to know what the car is doing without being there. Can you shoot a quick video and upload it in your reply? It sounds like you have a positive battery cable that is no good. Does all electrical go out when the problem occurs or just part or does the engine just stall and you cannot get the key out?

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Thursday, March 8th, 2018 AT 9:45 AM

VANTRESIA E SMITH-PEEPLES

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I drive trucks so I am not near the car, but I can tell you all the power is gone. No power at all no head lights, no interior light, nothing at all and the key is stuck in the ignition because there is no power at all.

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Thursday, March 8th, 2018 AT 10:24 AM

KEN L