LJ Posted July 9, 2006 Report Share Posted July 9, 2006 My gf has a sweet 1996 Pontiac Bonneville with a 3800 Series II engine in it. It won't start. The battery isn't dead. It doesn't sound like it is trying to turn over. There is just a clicking electrical sound coming from under the dash. The guages (RPM and MPH) also bounce up and down between 10 mph and 500 rpm respectively when you are trying to start it. Any ideas? I don't know much about this engine. This is her only car, and her parent's live in Colorado, so any help quickly would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excell Posted July 9, 2006 Report Share Posted July 9, 2006 Sounds like the battery might be dead. Can you put a multi-meter on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMeanGreen Posted July 9, 2006 Report Share Posted July 9, 2006 Battery is at about 10v. Enough for the lights and accessores, not enough to turn the starter. Also check the terminal connections, a loose one will do it also. Moving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ Posted July 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2006 Battery is at about 10v. Enough for the lights and accessores, not enough to turn the starter. Also check the terminal connections, a loose one will do it also. Moving. It's not the battery, we tried to jump it. Connections are solid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex1647545498 Posted July 10, 2006 Report Share Posted July 10, 2006 Check connections to starter. Hit the starter with a rubber hammer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tshensley Posted July 10, 2006 Report Share Posted July 10, 2006 is it a rapid clicking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ Posted July 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2006 is it a rapid clicking? no clicking, just an electrical buzzing sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yotaman88210 Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 Starter sounds like it is locked up. It is more common on imports for it to click but all starters will do it. My guess is The electrical buzz you are hearing is the starter being pissed off cuz it cant turn. If you cant fit a rubber hammer in there to smack it, use anything hard that will fit. Just dont beat it too hard...that sounds so wrong.... While you are "beating it" have someone try to turn it over. Beat and turn at the same time! :-) This might work... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rice Eater Posted July 14, 2006 Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 Might be unrelated, but my MSD control module was having issues like that a few months ago. Sometimes a no start with a buzz noise that started low and increased in volume with the tach needle pegging to the high side. I replaced the module and haven't had a problem since. Have her turn on the key and you track where the noise is coming from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 We figured it out. There was a wire that came loose running to the starter. what a PITA that was Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.