1992-1999 Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

98 Bonneville No Start

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-01-2011, 02:51 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
 
anathema05's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Brockport, New York
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
anathema05 is on a distinguished road
Default 98 Bonneville No Start

Title says everything. I go to start the Bonnie, turn the key to run...

-battery is full
-radio, windows, lights, blower fan, etc all have power
-fuel pump primes normally

Turn the key to start...

-no noise from starter.
-securtiy light comes on SOLID.

Turn key to off, leaving it in the ignition. Wait ~2 or 3 minutes, security light turns off, and the car starts normally.

The starter was just replaced ~3 weeks ago, so that'* not it. Any ideas? I think it may be a VATS issue.
Old 06-01-2011, 03:27 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
2kg4u's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Windsor, Ontario / Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 4,816
Received 241 Likes on 198 Posts
2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of
Default

Start with cleaning the battery cables.
Old 06-01-2011, 03:47 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
2kg4u's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Windsor, Ontario / Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 4,816
Received 241 Likes on 198 Posts
2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of
Default

96-99 VATS allowed the fuel pump to prime, then allowed cranking. The motor starts and stalls immediately because the fuel injectors don't pulse after the prime.
Old 06-01-2011, 03:55 PM
  #4  
Retired Senior Admin

Expert Gearhead
 
Danthurs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes on 24 Posts
Danthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to all
Default

Battery cables. Do the lights dim when you turn the key?
Old 06-01-2011, 08:01 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
 
anathema05's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Brockport, New York
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
anathema05 is on a distinguished road
Default

Yes, the lights dim and radio turns off when I try to start. The ground busses inside are clean and connections at the battery are clean and tight as well. Can anyone tell me exactly where the other grounds are located in the engine bay? Hopefully I'll get this fixed up in the morning.
Old 06-01-2011, 11:14 PM
  #6  
Retired Senior Admin

Expert Gearhead
 
Danthurs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes on 24 Posts
Danthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to all
Default

The places to look are right at the battery, the connection at the starter, the block ground which is near the starter. Also pull back the covers on the end of the battery cable and look for corrosion there. You may need to replace the cable if it'* to bad.
Old 06-02-2011, 07:05 AM
  #7  
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS

Expert Gearhead
 
BillBoost37's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Enfield, CT
Posts: 41,391
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
BillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of light
Default

I'd be having the starter checked.
Old 06-02-2011, 07:43 AM
  #8  
Retired Senior Admin

Expert Gearhead
 
Danthurs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes on 24 Posts
Danthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to all
Default

He said the starter is 3 weeks old.
Old 06-02-2011, 08:28 AM
  #9  
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS

Expert Gearhead
 
BillBoost37's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Enfield, CT
Posts: 41,391
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
BillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of light
Default

New parts go bad as well. Never rule out a new part. Any good mechanic first looks over a car for recent work when trying to diagnose a problem.

Loose connection at the starter shouldn't be overlooked simply because it'* new etc. Almost all starters we are putting on our cars these days are rebuilt. What if someone did a poor job rebuilding it?
Old 06-02-2011, 08:33 AM
  #10  
Retired Senior Admin

Expert Gearhead
 
Danthurs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes on 24 Posts
Danthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to allDanthurs is a name known to all
Default

Very true, but as he describes, lights dim when key is turned. It is possible the starter is bad and amping out.


Quick Reply: 98 Bonneville No Start



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:02 AM.