UPDATED  2001 Buick Regal won’t start sometimes

 

My 2001 Buick Regal has recently developed a weird condition.  Most of the time, when I turn the key to the run position of the ignition switch, the lights in the dash all blink off and on continually and there is a continual clicking noise in the dash or in the engine compartment and the car won’t start.  Sometimes I can wiggle the key back and forth, and it will finally start.  I found by accident that when the key is in the run position with the lights in the dash blinking and the clicking occurring, I can push the emergency brake and can then start the car ???  Several times, the car has just died while going down the street.  When that happens, I can turn the ignition switch to off, push the emergency brake on, start the car and go on my way.  This is very scary having the car engine die all off a sudden.  I haven’t been rear ended yet, but I am afraid this may happen.  Sometimes the shifter won’t go out of park so I have to put a screwdriver in the slot next to the shifter to get it out of park.  Sometimes when the lights in the dash are flashing, the “service engine soon” light and the “traction control” lights go on and stay on even after the car starts.  The next time I start the car, these lights are not on any more.  I have had the car in a shop and they tried for a whole day to find the problem and couldn’t help me.  Thinking it might be a bad battery, I installed a new NAPA battery in the car and checked all the cables and wiring and didn’t find any loose connections.  If any one has had this problem or can help me, please reply ASAP.  THANK YOU.

Sorry to tell you this, but this may be God's way of telling you to get a new car. Electrical problems are incredibly hard to trace. And your other problems make you seem a danger on the highway.

The Automedia Answer Guy

I'm having the exact same issue with my 2002 Buick Regal. I can't seem to get any answers from the shops I'm taking it to either. Did you ever find out what the issue was? I would really appreciate any insight. Thank you!!!

Did anyone check the ignition switch itself? (The place where the key goes.)

Are you using a replacement key? Perhaps the chip in the key is bad. Or the device that reads the chip is failing.

Have you pulled the starter and had it checked? There could be a bad spot in the wiring.

If these are not the problem, my diagnosis is that you have an intermittent short or loose connection somewhere in the system. Could be the battery cables. Could be any wire. 

I can't see how the parking brake is involved...unless pushing it moves a wire that is in the process of shorting out.

The clicking noise suggests that the starter is either not getting juice from the battery or the alternator/regulator is not allowing the battery to charge.

Have you done an internet search on this problem? Check Technical Service Bulletins for your car. And get a new mechanic.

The person who said check the ingition switch was right on the money.  These switches are usually made in Mexico and the metal tabs that hold the plastic part on the bottom turn loose with use and come apart.  The problem will get worse and worse until it won't crank or run at all.  I have fixed these by squeezing them back together and tightening the tabs up like they were when new (if they are not broken) and then maybe tape the two piece switch for reinforcement.  Sometimes it may require a new switch.

LM

I had the same problem...regal would stop running while driving.....buick dealer fixed it after many tries...there need to be a recal on this problem