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Not cranking over

Tiny
YZH7777
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
It happened since last autumn. Sometimes my car could not start but still could turn on lights and radio after one night parking, so I had to jump it with booster then it could run after. I drove it to garage but the guy there checked and said your alternator and battery was in good conditions. After that this situation happened more and more, my battery died finally. I doubted to the garage staff if possible the wires somewhere were shorted sometimes. The answer is if so we had to charge you wires check by hours because the wire problems are most complicate.

Even I changed to a brand new interstate battery, this case still happened 2 times. I have to fix it before winter. So I need your professional help. Thanks in advance.

Typical symptoms:
1, not run out completely.
2, after one night parking, if I don't drive it in the morning. Probably it could happen in the afternoon.
3, battery & alternator confirmed working well many times.
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Tuesday, October 26th, 2010 AT 12:03 PM

34 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It sounds like it's drawing down to much juice from the battery and taking the power away like a shorted starter. This guide will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Tuesday, October 26th, 2010 AT 5:51 PM
Tiny
JPDOCKTER
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
Hello,

I had this problem and had to replace the starter cost me $134.00 all fixed. I love this site.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
HBHP00
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 BUICK CENTURY
  • 138,528 MILES
I was driving out of a parking lot and the car just stopped. I tried to turn it back on, but it won't turn over.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 10:51 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
We need some test results or observations to analyze, otherwise this is like calling your doctor and telling him you don't feel well. You know there's going to be a lot of questions involved.

I DID run into a GM front-wheel-drive car a few years ago that stopped just like you described, right in the middle of an intersection. I saw when the owner tried to start the engine, that the generator pulley was locked up and the belt was slipping over it. That generator was run by its own small belt. I cut the belt off, then the engine started and ran fine. The generator not working meant she had about a half hour running on the battery alone to get to a repair shop, but at least she could drive the car.

That locked-up generator is only one possible cause of a stalled engine, and it is one of the least common causes. For yours I'd start by charging the battery at a slow rate for an hour or two, then see if the starter cranks the engine. If it does, drive the car to your mechanic and have the battery and the charging system tested. If you post the results for "full-load output current", "ripple voltage", and "charging voltage", I can interpret them for you.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 10:51 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARROTTOPCINDY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 BUICK CENTURY
  • 154,000 MILES
I bought the 2005 buick century in april this year. Are they known to have starter problems? After driving every day for a week the drivers window stopped working correctly, as in sometimes would not roll up buy when I would start the car 2 hours later, the window would function and roll up, I did find time 3 weeks later to take it back to the dealer I bought it from (not a buick dealler) and they replaced the window motor. This was fine for about 2 weeks then I started having starter problems. I would have to turn the key several times before it would engage. I noticed if I rev the engine while turning the key off, it would start the next time on the first turn of key. Then this trick quit working so my nephew, a mechanic for 12 years, replaced the starter. The car started fine for about 5 days then it started all again so back to the dealer I went. They told me it was a fuse and they replaced it. But again the starter thing again after 12 days but also noticed the cig lighter fuse blew when using. Are there wires crossed or is buick notorious for chewing up starters?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Fuses don't blow for no reason. They blow because something is overloading the circuit. Simply replacing the fuse doesn't repair anything. Someone is going to have to do some electrical testing to determine what is causing the circuit to overload and blow the fuse. The fuse is just a safety device to prevent component damage or a fire.
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-1
Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LINDA SIMON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 BUICK CENTURY
  • 1.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 126,000 MILES
Electrical problems, the car started will not crank over even though I just had an new starter installed.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
Read this guide, it will help you figure out what is wrong

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WALLDW3
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 73,000 MILES
My engine sometimes after it's warmed up and you try to restart it it cranks over for a longer time before it starts, when engine is cold it starts right away. It doesn't do this all the time.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try changing your fuel filter and see if that helps. Also get some choke cleaner and clean the throttle plate on both sides.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JERRY98
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I have the same problem with my 03 century at 52,000 miles, let me know if you find a solution, starts just fine cold. Cranks longer if the car is warm.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TANK33
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2003 BUICK CENTURY
I changed the starter which I dont think was the problem I changed the battery which doesnt seem to help the problem but for some reason when I turn the key over the starter just clicks. It wont crank the car. I changed the starter motor twice still get the same results. Can someone please help me its the only car I got.I also checked the wires for corrosion and it came out fine. Why wont the starter spin over.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Maybe a security system issue? I can't be sure what is clicking, check the crank fuse for voltage. Use a voltage tester, should be hot/voltage all the time.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/170934_century_crank_fuse_1.jpg

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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVID GROTHE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 BUICK CENTURY
2003 buick century 63,000 mi. When hot or cold sometimes engine will not crank. When key is turned
all accessory lights come on and you can hear the
ignition and crank relays(which I have changed)click
but no sound from solenoid starter. Once started it might work for 2 or three weeks. All battery and solenoid wires are tight.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Might be a bad solenoid. Check for 12 volts at the solenoid small wire with key in crank position
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MINDYNMARK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 88,000 MILES
We have a 2003 Buick Century. Once the car is warmed, if we go to use it again, it turns over, but as soon as your foot lifts off the accelerator the car stalls. Cold starting in the morning seems to be okay. We just had the car in to the dealer for 2 days and they found absolutely nothing. The car never coded and they said they were unable to duplicate the problem. The day after we got the car back, same thing. None of the idiot lights on the dashboard light up! We are the original owners of the car and have kept up maintenance through the dealer. Any ideas?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,874 POSTS
If there is no light coming on, I would start with the basics. Check for vacuum leaks, fuel pressure. Also, when was the last tune up? Has the fuel filter ever been replaced?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MISSISSIPPI
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 BUICK CENTURY
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 237,000 MILES
If leave battery out a vehicle overnight car will start morning turn key to run position with lights on on dash after 3 seconds lose power to gauges1 out of 15 times car willturnover but will not startjust curious what it is I've checked relays checked fuses everything is in order I've diagnosed it to ignition switchreally uncertain at this point please help really need my car thanks
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Wen you disconnect or remove battery the anti theft feature has to be reset that is why it won't start all the time.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
XMASTRO80
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
  • 2003 BUICK CENTURY
  • 84 MILES
I got the car opened, checked the fuses, and replaced the battery, the car just will not crank, could it be the ignition switch? Or the park/neutral switch? Or security?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:03 PM (Merged)

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