1998 bonneville starter intermittently engages
#1
1998 bonneville starter intermittently engages
Sometimes when turning to start position,it does nothing. The lights are not dimmed like lost power or ground. Sometimes a brief buzzing sound comes from the area behind the instrument cluster leading me to believe that it could be a start relay.I've found info that th\is is the location in a 1996.I can barely see or touch a relay in that area from underneath and am finding difficult to attempt to remove it for testing as it is attatched in some fashion to something. I'm not sure that it is a start relay or if that is the problem but it seems logical.Does anyone have some advice to the likelyhood of this being the right relay and it being the problem, and if so, how can I get this thing out without completely disassembling the car?
#2
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Having experienced many dead starters on my car, I can tell you if your lights aren't shutting off or dimming when you turn the key to START, then your starter is probably not engaging.
Assuming you have at least 9-10 volts with your key in RUN, then you should have the bare minimum amount of battery power required to crank the starter.
You may be right on the money as far as the relay is concerned. Your high-power relays are under the hood. Lift off the cover that says "Maxifuse/relay center" and you'll see them. Check any fuses that are marked "starter relay" as well.
Assuming you have at least 9-10 volts with your key in RUN, then you should have the bare minimum amount of battery power required to crank the starter.
You may be right on the money as far as the relay is concerned. Your high-power relays are under the hood. Lift off the cover that says "Maxifuse/relay center" and you'll see them. Check any fuses that are marked "starter relay" as well.
#3
Retired Senior Admin
Expert Gearhead
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes
on
24 Posts
You can also test for voltage at the starter with the key turned to start. If you have voltage, the starter is the problem. If no voltage, then check the relay, as mentioned, under the hood on the fire wall.
#4
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
Expert Gearhead
One key thing I'd like the mention is isn't not voltage that starts a car. In many cases you can have headlights, interior lights, radio etc and when you click that key if it all dies and you have a no start, then you can have something as simple as a corroded or loose battery connection.
I'd start off checking the cables/connections.
I'd start off checking the cables/connections.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bighank
Buick
3
07-22-2015 05:09 PM
goldeni
Everything Electrical & Electronic
6
09-11-2009 11:25 AM