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Dash lights blink on and off then engine stalls

Tiny
MULLIGANSTEIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 BUICK REGAL
  • 90,000 MILES
03 Buick Regal. Stalled the other day and when I tried to start it, the dash lights flashed on and off repeatedly and the engine revved in time with the dash lights until it stalled (same tempo as if I'd turned the emergency hazards on).
When I did turn the hazard lights on, the car started and ran fine. Turned hazards off. Dash lights and engine did the same thing until it stalled again.
I tried disconnecting the fuse for hazards and it ran ok for awhile then stalled and flashed again.
It seems to be ok in either case when idling but when it's in drive and trying to move, the trouble starts.
Any ideas as to what might be causing this?
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Saturday, August 11th, 2012 AT 3:47 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Symptoms indicate a possible loose ground connection somewhere.
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Saturday, August 11th, 2012 AT 3:50 PM
Tiny
MR ONSITE
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  • 4 POSTS
I would check the battery connection first.
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Saturday, August 11th, 2012 AT 4:01 PM
Tiny
MULLIGANSTEIN
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
Yeah, battery was replaced a, month ago and is fine. Can't seem to find any bad grounds.
I took the PCM out and banged on it while the car was idling and nothing happened.
I've also read about a possible bad ignition switch is that worth a look?
Also where is the BCM on this car?
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Saturday, August 11th, 2012 AT 10:06 PM
Tiny
MR ONSITE
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  • 4 POSTS
Did the problem began after the battery was replaced or before?
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Saturday, August 11th, 2012 AT 11:02 PM
Tiny
MULLIGANSTEIN
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
The new battery was in for a month or two and everything was fine. The problem just started a couple days ago.
I found this video on Youtube my car is doing the same thing only mine stops when you turn on the hazards not the turn signals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSjnagtYQ7g

Thanks

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Saturday, August 11th, 2012 AT 11:41 PM
Tiny
MR ONSITE
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  • 4 POSTS
I would call the dealerships service department and describe the problem to them, to see if they have any recall. It could be the multifunction switch creating the whole problem or the ignition switch itself.
Good luck.
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Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 2:38 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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Vehicle is equipped with BCM and it is possible that is the cause.
Get a scan done to check for trouble codes.
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Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 8:30 AM
Tiny
MULLIGANSTEIN
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
Where is the BCM located on this car? It's not in my haynes manual.
Thanks
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Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 12:54 PM
Tiny
MULLIGANSTEIN
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  • 21 POSTS
P.S> I did a scan. Got some ABS problems and an O2 sensor problem.
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Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 1:00 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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BCM is behind left side of dash, left of steering column. It could be the ignition switch as per the link you gave as the hazard lights and turn signals are related.

Near steering column there are 2 gdounding points, check those as they are for the BCM.
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Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 2:20 PM
Tiny
MULLIGANSTEIN
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
Found both grounds down there. They were fine.
Replaced the ignition switch and so far the car is running great. A few more days will tell for sure as this was an intermittet problem.
I have used this site and many like it to fix prblems in the past and I hate when a thread just dies without a resolution or wanders off topic. I will re-visit and post if the ignition switch does not solve the problem.
One more thing about dealerships:
I try to stay away from them as they usually leave me frustrated and broke.
Thanks very much for your help and thanks for sticking with it past the "take it to a proffessional" stage. I know you guys have a lot of questions to answer but I wouldn't be here if I had planned to throw up my hands and give in so easily.
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Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 AT 1:36 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Our aim here is to help and not only to give advice or answers but to help you resolve the problem. As long as you don't give up and can follow what we have to offer we would be with you all the way.

Keeping our fingers crossed.

Good luck.
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Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
MULLIGANSTEIN
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Just a follow up here folks. The ignition switch has cured the problem and the car has been running fine for the last month!
Thanks very much
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Friday, September 14th, 2012 AT 12:24 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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You're welcome.

Glad to know the problem is fixed.
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Friday, September 14th, 2012 AT 11:24 AM
Tiny
SLEEPERGS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
03 RegalGS experiencing engine shutoff all full dash flashing. Security light was on just before this. I turned key upside down and engine started, security light off. Based on comments above sounds like ignition switch/key issue. Visiting dealer today with your blog! Thanks.
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Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 AT 7:04 AM

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