Help with Buick dead battery

[05r50]

So FIL is having problem with his Buick LaCrosse. It wouldn't start and he jumped it, then dead again later that night.

He assumed it was battery and replaced it without having the old one tested.

Brings home the new battery and the car will crank, start,stop. Won't stay running and can't keep keep cranking. Have to wait and try again.

Weird thing is the ignition key is stuck and won't come out. Almost like it won't go to position A.


I was thinking maybe the emergency fuel switch is tripped but I can't find it under dash and I can't get the trunk open if it is there instead.

I don't know the year but it is pretty new like 2013-2016 maybe.

I tried using a code scanner on the obd port but it doesn't power up. I've never had that happen before.

Any thoughts?

 

[curtrnev]

Check your fuse block that is attached to the positive post of the battery , I have seen plenty of these left loose and or broken . If vehicle has a parasitic load check the relays usually cooling fan or headlight relays like to stick. They will have dark places on relays from being hot.

 

[CJM8515]

Bad connection somewhere. Those have the giant battery box with the overhead mounts with wires. Larger 13mm nuts on them hold them in I recall. Or perhaps its a 78 side terminal if its an older one under hood or under rear seat I recall

Oh Gm vehicles made since about 05 will lock the key in the ignition if the battery is to low of charge or bad connection.

 

[Richard Cranium]

didn't know that about the key and low battery. Thanks for the info.

 

[jsaw]

If you can't get the key out, it is possible that the ignition switch is not turning all the way off.also I have seen the shift interlock not allow the key to go fully into the off position.

 

[matt_i]

A possibility is the fuel pump relay is damaged or defective and will not "seal in". Also could be wiring in the ign switch, or, a mechanical issue with the tumbler making the contacts.

 

[Tenex]

I'm having similar issues with a 1998 Saturn SL2. Car wouldn't start so I I jumped it. Drove 120+ miles and all was fine. Next morning the battery was dead so I replaced the battery. Next morning the battery was dead so I had it tested as well as the alternator, but both passed inspection from Oreilly's and Advance Auto Parts. I've been disconnecting the battery whenever I leave it sit, which is a huge pain in the ***, but I'm not sure where to start looking.

 

[MarineScott]

I'm having similar issues with a 1998 Saturn SL2. Car wouldn't start so I I jumped it. Drove 120+ miles and all was fine. Next morning the battery was dead so I replaced the battery. Next morning the battery was dead so I had it tested as well as the alternator, but both passed inspection from Oreilly's and Advance Auto Parts. I've been disconnecting the battery whenever I leave it sit, which is a huge pain in the ***, but I'm not sure where to start looking.

Google "off draw test", then start pulling fuses till the amps drop and that is the circuit of the problem

 

[MarineScott]

So FIL is having problem with his Buick LaCrosse. It wouldn't start and he jumped it, then dead again later that night.

He assumed it was battery and replaced it without having the old one tested.

Brings home the new battery and the car will crank, start,stop. Won't stay running and can't keep keep cranking. Have to wait and try again.

Weird thing is the ignition key is stuck and won't come out. Almost like it won't go to position A.


I was thinking maybe the emergency fuel switch is tripped but I can't find it under dash and I can't get the trunk open if it is there instead.

I don't know the year but it is pretty new like 2013-2016 maybe.

I tried using a code scanner on the obd port but it doesn't power up. I've never had that happen before.

Any thoughts?

Pin #16 is your battery voltage in your OBD connector. Could be an off draw some where. Check your ignition switch as stated.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Probably a blown cig lighter fuse for the obd2. But that won't tell you anything

I recommend taking it to a mechanic

 

[BillK]

05,
If you really want to try to fix it yourself, go to Alldata and buy a one year subscription for the car so that you have the factory service and diagnostics material. Now days the manufacturers will change things every year or even sooner. If you don't have the proper service information for that exact vehicle you can run around in circles forever ($$$$$) trying to guess at the problem. Either that or get it to a shop that has the equipment to figure out what is wrong with it. Heck, it might still be under warranty if its that new.

http://www.alldatadiy.com/?gclid=Cj...EVdS3VMQimTIyKQL9JcI0lJaSjW4KbSL7_hoCGd_w_wcB

 

[pawel]

I'm having similar issues with a 1998 Saturn SL2. Car wouldn't start so I I jumped it. Drove 120+ miles and all was fine. Next morning the battery was dead so I replaced the battery. Next morning the battery was dead so I had it tested as well as the alternator, but both passed inspection from Oreilly's and Advance Auto Parts. I've been disconnecting the battery whenever I leave it sit, which is a huge pain in the ***, but I'm not sure where to start looking.

I had the same battery dying issue on my 2002 sl1. When it was really quiet, I could hear the BCM clicking, I unplugged it to verify and plugged it back in and it stopped. Has not happened in 6 years. Give the BCM a listen, maybe it is the same...

 

[pbeamish]

Sounds like the ignition cylinder is not working properly. Its acting like it is in theft mode. When you crank it over, is the theft light flashing?

 

[Flat-rate]

OBD is most likely fuse blown.
Does the shifter go all the way into park? That will stop the lock cylnder from releasing the key.

 

[Milton Shaw]

I to would suggest ALLDATA but get the 5 year plan for 29.95 if you plan on keeping the car more than a few months. I have it on every vehicle I have and use it for just about any repair. Sometimes it is hard to find where the item you need is located but you can eventually find it.

 

[brownbagg]

its the igintion switch, fix it first, dont worry about all that other

 

[Chief919]

If you determine something is causing a drain I find that the Fuse Buddy is a huge, huge help in finding where the problem is. Check them out.

 

[eae197]

how many miles on it. some later buicks have 50,000 mile warrantee. my '13 Lacrosse 4yr 50k

 

[05r50]

Thanks for all the great input.

Problem has been solved. Turned out one of the 3 wires on the fuse block mounted to the top of the battery positive terminal was not seated all the way and not connecting.

Once that was corrected then all was good.

 

[curtrnev]

Like I said above , I don't think I have enough appendages to count on the times that those have been left loose .

 

[05r50]

Like I said above , I don't think I have enough appendages to count on the times that those have been left loose .

Winner winner, chicken dinner.