Why won't my '95 Buick Riviera start? Loud buzzing, engine doesn't turn.

BUKRIV95

MEMBER
1995 BUICK RIVIERA
14,600 MILES

When I turn the key (in both neutral and park), the engine doesn't turn. The only thing that happens is I get a mid-pitched, fairly loud buzzing sound from around the driver-side fuse box inside the car.
The battery is fairly new. All of the lights/dash/radio/etc work. Also what I assume to be a fuel pump (the motor-thing in the back of the car that runs after you shut engine off) still runs after every time it fails to start.
The car started and ran roughly 5 hours before this without issue. The last time I attempted to start it, the engine started to turn over, then died and started buzzing at me.

Thoughts?

4 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Sounds like the starter motor overrunning clutch is slipping-have it checked

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Friday, June 15th, 2012 AT 9:42 PM

BUKRIV95

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks, rasmataz.

I don't think the starter is running at all at this point. Someone looked at it while I was trying things and said the starter wasn't doing anything.

The noise sounds electrical in nature, not mechanical. But I could be wrong.

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Friday, June 15th, 2012 AT 9:54 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Short out the starter motor battery terminal to the small wire terminal and see what happens-if it engages check the park and neutral switch and the ignition switch

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Friday, June 15th, 2012 AT 10:01 PM

BUKRIV95

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3 POSTS

Problem solved. For future reference (anyone else):

The starting issue was with the VATS/PASS-KEY II system.

There was an issue with the ignition switch and the wiring harness, so the security system wasn't getting the correct/any signal.

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Monday, August 20th, 2012 AT 9:37 PM