|
|
2004 Buick Lesabre 3.8 L (Starter & Charging issues)?
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Dano411
Novice
Feb 15, 2015, 12:24 AM
Post #1 of 12
(10474 views)
|
2004 Buick Lesabre 3.8 L (Starter & Charging issues)?
|
Sign In
|
|
I have a 2004 Buick Lesabre custom with a 3.8 engine.
When I attempt to start the car the starter just clicks.When I attempt to turn the ignition key over many times finally the car will start.
When the car is running the Fuel gauge is not working properly. The fuel gauge reads FULL when the tank is not full.Sometimes the fuel gauge works and most times it doesn't .When the fuel gauge reads full the dash board lights goes dim.If you apply gas to the gas pedal the dash lights go brighter.Like if i'm having alternator charging problems.
I bought a $180.00 new battery.The battery is located under the rear seat inside the car.I installed the battery and the same thing the starter just clicks doesn't start.
So,I took the new battery back and had Autozone test my old battery and it tested good.So,I installed my old battery back inside the car.
If I turn the ignition key over many times finally the car will start.
But,when the fuel gauge gets stuck on FULL the dash lights go dim.If you apply gas the lights go brighter.
What's the chance the alternator and starter is going out at the same time?
To me it sounds like a ground issue somewhere.
If your fuel gauge gets stuck on FULL normally that means a bad ground to the fuel tank.
I'm thinking all these issues i'm having is caused by a bad ground somewhere.A bad ground would cause your fuel gauge to read full and would cause,the starter to click or not start.A bad ground would also,cause a alternator/Battery charging issue too.
That's the worse thing Buick ever did was install the battery inside the car under the rear seat.Not only that Buick took the negative ground from the battery and connected it to the floor board of the body of the car.
Can anyone tell me where all the negative grounds are located on this 2004 Buick so I can check and tighten the grounds?Has anyone ever ran into these issues?
Is this a negative ground issue?
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 15, 2015, 12:35 AM
Post #2 of 12
(10462 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Buick Lesabre 3.8 L (Starter & Charging issues)?
|
Sign In
|
|
ONE THREAD FOR A PROBLEM PLEASE! Others are gone now.
Check the dang battery cables and their connection, connection of bat + at alternator and at starter and go from there. Battery cables that long probably have issues so begin checking that out. Is there a spot under the hood bat + cable goes to test and jump start from on this - check entire length of cable(s) for integrity along the way.
Single clicks then when a car finally engages starter is almost always a connection when battery is known OK,
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Feb 15, 2015, 12:37 AM)
|
|
| |
|
|
Dano411
Novice
Feb 15, 2015, 12:56 AM
Post #3 of 12
(10454 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Buick Lesabre 3.8 L (Starter & Charging issues)?
|
Sign In
|
|
I apologize, for the other posts I made.I wasn't getting any replies so,I thought I was posting in the wrong area.Thinking I would get a reply in other areas.Sorry for that...
Check the battery cables?
The negative battery cable from the battery is only 9 inches long and bolted to the rear floor board of the body of the car.Is there a long negative cable on this 2004 Buick?
Where is the cables located?Under the car or inside the car?
My thinking is if Buick would install a battery inside the car you would think Buick would run the battery cables inside the car as well?
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 15, 2015, 1:21 AM
Post #4 of 12
(10443 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Buick Lesabre 3.8 L (Starter & Charging issues)?
|
Sign In
|
|
OK - site isn't a live hotline just volunteers when they have time so you wait. Any new post will be read but multiples just screw up the whole show.
Battery cable with a remote battery like this you will have to look. Whole metal of body is ground but has to end up hard at engine block and several other jumper grounds all over the thing. GM was a real pissa with some and put a remote spot under the hood so you didn't have to find the actual battery or couldn't get to it easily. All must be good connection wise.
SAFEETY WARNING: Batteries placed inside vehicles use vents with a tube to release explosive gasses to outside and must have those attached so specific battery should have likely come with new ones stuck to side or something. If those are not venting to outside it's a bomb waiting to happen so make sure that is right. THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM AT THE MOMENT JUST MAKE SURE ON ANY VEHICLE THAT DOES THAT! Google the Hindenburg for what can happen!
Chances are Battery + (positive) cable heads to a spot to test or jump from under the hood with a red cover or something? Then on to starter so I'll just guess at least two thicker gauge battery positive cables need be all good right to the starter which is most exposes in most anything so a problem spot with your symptoms.
Ground as said must be all over but strong to the engine block and if GM used the body metal first there's another for block or more so starter (largest load) gets strong ground AND strong positive power when triggered.
You said multiple clicks and then it cranks unless I read you incorrectly. What that almost always means is the weak connection with load of starter request got hot or something and finally enough to connect to crank once or more so that's the one you need to find but all must be known good.
All other silly things can't work properly if battery loses connection so you must begin with that.
So you don't blow up anything, remove battery negative cable at battery while cleaning any other connections and lube them so they stay good. Electric grease or just spray like WD-40 but something or the weak one will haunt you later.
Refresh: There's no point in other checks till strong battery power is available. Any anti-theft and memory can and will reset or be lost to add to the hassle so do it all or check it all at once or learn how to use a memory saver. I also think this car once it will cranks and run will run lousy for a while having lost memory to how it has adapted to idle properly if nothing else.
When any cable cleaning is done the last thing you put back on is the negative cable at the battery itself. Then anything wrong can be tested but not till then,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
Dano411
Novice
Feb 15, 2015, 1:44 AM
Post #5 of 12
(10429 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Buick Lesabre 3.8 L (Starter & Charging issues)?
|
Sign In
|
|
Thanks for that information.
Having starter clicking issues and fuel gauge issues as going to full and dash lights going dim when fuel gauge is reading full brings wonders.
The engine idles rough.It darn near wants to die at a stop sign.But,driving down the road it's fine.
Engine light is on .I had the codes. OC sensor was one code.I had apex put the car on a computer.They said 6 codes popped up.They basically said it needs a tuneup and a oc sensor.
I know it's not the battery because,I tried a new battery and the car did the same thing just clicked when you try to start it.If you attempt to turn the ignition key over many times it will start.But,when you shut it off.15 minutes later it will not start again just clicks.
Would a bad positive or negative connection cause all of these issues?
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 15, 2015, 2:13 AM
Post #6 of 12
(10422 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Buick Lesabre 3.8 L (Starter & Charging issues)?
|
Sign In
|
|
OK- I'll downspeak this more. Battery was flicking new when it was still at the store so forget it. Any KNOWN good one, well attached or nothing means anything.
Not unlike an unruly household vacuum cleaner if you don't plug it in the wall or wall outlet or plug messed up how the fluck would you know it anything about it worked right? Got it?
I can't trust any codes till it starts and runs - none. You've pithed it already changing out the battery so it will matter what comes back AFTER that is done and ruled out as the source of the issues. Lights go dim, items get wrong voltage - all of that.
So it could have a host of issues but nothing matters until it will assertively crank the engine and since it doesn't yet forget other stuff till it does. You pithed it anyway and didn't have to or know any better - all prior info is null and void right now held in computer,
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Feb 15, 2015, 2:14 AM)
|
|
| |
|
|
Double J
Veteran
/ Moderator
Feb 15, 2015, 2:15 AM
Post #7 of 12
(10419 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Buick Lesabre 3.8 L (Starter & Charging issues)?
|
Sign In
|
|
Here is one thing to check for the no start.
GM TSB
ubject:Service VME - No Crank , No Start - kw 3.8 battery cable electrical intermittent L36 L67 loose #PI01603 - (12/23/2003) Models:.
SERVICE VME
If an owner experiences a no crank, no start condition on a 2004 LeSabre or Park Avenue/Ultra, be sure to check the negative battery cable torque at the engine block. The technician may discover that the negative battery cable is loose or not torqued to specification. The ground location (G101) may not be drilled or tapped deep enough into the engine block so the bolt can achieve the recommended torque. To correct this concern, it will be necessary to install a shorter bolt or add two star washers to reduce the height of the bolt.
.
Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed. If these steps do not resolve the condition, please contact GM TAC for further diagnostic assistance. This diagnostic approach was developed for the vehicle with the VIN you entered and should not be automatically be used for other vehicles with similar symptoms. Models:
(2004 Buick LeSabre) and (2004 Buick Park Avenue) and (2004 Pontiac Bonneville)
As far as the Cables go, there are 2 negative cables, #'s 8 and 26 in diagram, 2 positive cables, #'s 1 and 4
|
|
| |
|
|
Dano411
Novice
Feb 15, 2015, 10:29 AM
Post #8 of 12
(10397 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Buick Lesabre 3.8 L (Starter & Charging issues)?
|
Sign In
|
|
Thanks for the wiring diagram.
In the bottom wiring diagram (25) shows the negative cable going from the battery terminal going to a bolt to the floor board body.
So,my understanding of this is,the Positive cable from the battery runs inside of the car thru the firewall to the starter?
Where does the negative ground cable run from the engine block?The diagram isn't showng the negative ground from the engine block to the body?Where on the body is the negative ground from the engine block?
|
|
| |
|
|
Double J
Veteran
/ Moderator
Feb 15, 2015, 2:17 PM
Post #9 of 12
(10389 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Buick Lesabre 3.8 L (Starter & Charging issues)?
|
Sign In
|
|
Look at Top diagram, focus on #8...this is the 2nd Negative cable that goes to the "frame" from the engine block.
#26 is the negative cable from the battery to the body
Again looking at top diagram, Positive cable #1 runs from the battery thru the firewall to a junction block by the passenger fender,then #4 positive cable runs from there to the starter
|
|
| |
|
|
Dano411
Novice
Feb 16, 2015, 1:35 AM
Post #10 of 12
(10371 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Buick Lesabre 3.8 L (Starter & Charging issues)?
|
Sign In
|
|
I just bought this Buick Friday at about 5 pm.At that time it was dark outside "Dusk".The salesman popped the hood to show me the engine and to hear it run.I couldn't see much because,it was dark outside.The salesman had to jump the battery to start it.Once he started it .The engine sound strong.I thought at that time I just needed to buy a new battery no problem.So,I bought it and drove it home and parked it.The next morning "Saturday" the car wouldn't start it just clicked.Because,the car was having a starting issue,Fuel gauge issue and a voltage issue.My first thought was a battery cable not getting a good connection or a bad ground.Sunday I got the car to start and I drove to a local car shop to get it up on a hoist so I can check the cables make sure their all tight.
We all at the shop popped the hood and noticed the car once had a engine fire.The alternator is burned up and smells smoked.Some wires are burnt.And we learned that there's a gas leak at one of the fuel injectors.
At the time when I bought the car it was dark outside.I had no idea that this car once had a fire.The salesman never told me this information ether.
To top it all off,the car lot sold me this car knowing this car once had a engine fire and didn't tell me this and they not once attempted to fix the fire cause before placing it on the lot for sale.When I bought the car I had my daughter and grand child with me.My kids drove home in that car with me.The salesman watched us all get into the car.The salesman knew this car was a fire hazard and sold it to me anyway.Knowing a child was gonna be in this car.
I got a Lemon.Sold as is.There should be a lemon law for selling a car that was in a fire.The buyers should be told this information also.If I was told this car was in a fire i wouldn't have bought it.
So,the update is,
If the car once had a engine fire and burnt the wire harness .Your never gonna get a correct computer code reading until you replace all the wires.
The car is leaking gas from the fuel injectors as we speak filling up on the top of the engine with raw gas.A fire ready to happen.I called the car lot they told me to bring it back to work something out.Ya right,take a chance on blowing up!..I'm calling them in the morning to see if they will come and tow it back to their shop.Hope they don't charge me a tow bill.
|
|
| |
|
|
Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 16, 2015, 5:31 AM
Post #11 of 12
(10363 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Buick Lesabre 3.8 L (Starter & Charging issues)?
|
Sign In
|
|
This is all your fault for buying that vehicle. Nobody forced you to buy it. You could have waited till the next morning or afternoon to have a look. You could of had your mechanic check the vehicle over before you made a purchase, so you know what you were getting into. Now you have a fire bomb to contend with that you put your family in risk with. Ya, the dealer you bought the car from sold you crap, but you didn't do your research. Lets hope that they work some thing out with you. Make sure you don't park that Sh!t in your garage. Last thing you need it is catching on fire and burning your house down.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Feb 16, 2015, 5:42 AM)
|
|
| |
|
|
nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Feb 16, 2015, 2:17 PM
Post #12 of 12
(10346 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Buick Lesabre 3.8 L (Starter & Charging issues)?
|
Sign In
|
|
Amen DS. You literally bought a car in the dark. The whole point in looking over a car or having a mechanic look it over before buying it is because some people don't bother to look at what they sell. Others do and don't care what they find. Hence the saying let the buyer beware.
|
|
| |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
2011 Dodge Nitro OBD scanner seems to drain battery in 10-20 minutes
equipment
Howdy
