Dash gauges are all out and no power windows and no blower for air or heat and radio face lights out

Tiny
GKO926
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 BUICK REGAL
  • 185 MILES
Dash gauges are all out and no power windows and no blower for air and heater and its as something shot or blew but the two places that I checked the fuses are not blown. What else might I do to see if the problem can be fixed without going into the shop?
Sunday, August 18th, 2013 AT 8:42 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Will the vehicle start and run? Did you check for voltage at the applicable fuses? Even if the fuse is good, if no voltage on the fuse circuit, the circuit is still dead. I haven't looked at your wiring yet, if those circuits you listed, get feed from the ignition switch, I'd have to check voltage to and from the ignition switch.

For a start, I'd pick one problem circuit and check voltage and ground. Fixing one circuit may or may not fix the others.
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Sunday, August 18th, 2013 AT 9:19 AM
Tiny
GKO926
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Yes car starts and runs and air-conditioner is is on and turning under hood its just no blower and tail lights and all other things are working and dash lights work with light switch turned on but the gages are not working to show gas and rpms and speed and then there is no power to the windows to allow them up and down and then the radio doesn't work and the face light is out. My wife was coming home and they all blinked and went out and not has worked since. I am a police officer by trade for 20 years and really am dumb founded to the car fixings if you would be so kind to tell me how and what to look for and at I would be grateful. Thanks Gary
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Sunday, August 18th, 2013 AT 9:35 AM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Check the power window circuit breaker for voltage, key on. That circuit breaker is in fuse box, under right side of dash. Use a testlite to check for voltage. Test the terminals with the key on. If no voltage, you'll have to check out the ignition switch.
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Sunday, August 18th, 2013 AT 11:25 AM
Tiny
GKO926
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So then if not power to the circuit breaker what would be causing that? The ignition seems to start almost in the acc. Position now is that a sign of something wrong? I am wondering if a ground or a short or what it could be causing this issue. This doesn't make any sense really cause my power door locks are working to lock and unlock are they not on the same power source?
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Sunday, August 18th, 2013 AT 11:50 AM
Tiny
GKO926
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Body Control Module or ground that controls that computer how do I check this?
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Sunday, August 18th, 2013 AT 12:41 PM
Tiny
GKO926
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  • 6 POSTS
The ignition switch is starting the car as soon as I turn it toward the start position without turning it completely forward and when I turn it backwards in acc. Position the radio works with lighted up face and plays as always. While car is running with ignition switch on if you turn it like starting the car again it does nothing. I thought most auto's would grind as the starter tried again. Could my problem be the ignition switch causing all this or what do you think as a expert JDL?

I know that all the gages do work and come on when the switch is turned to the on position is that not correct?
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Sunday, August 18th, 2013 AT 2:10 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
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Yes, it could be the ignition switch, if no ignition feed to circuits. I'd have to check circuits to and from ignition switch.
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Sunday, August 18th, 2013 AT 2:20 PM
Tiny
GKO926
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Would you just have to replace ignition switch then or how would you fix it and would that require a new key and all or what?
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Sunday, August 18th, 2013 AT 2:25 PM
Tiny
JDL
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  • 16,098 POSTS
I can't be positive about the ignition switch. If all fuses and electrical circuits are ok, I'd replace the ignition switch.
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Monday, August 19th, 2013 AT 6:17 AM
Tiny
TRACYKAT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi--I am having almost IDENTICAL problem with my newly acquired, but older, 2002 Buick Regal, and wondering if you were able to find the problem with your car and fix it. I am a newly single mom on a tighter income and to even have a local garage look at it is $88, which doesn't go towards the repair of the car? If it is something simple like a fuse, I could probably do that on my own. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
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Wednesday, June 14th, 2017 AT 11:10 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Hello,

There is a 60 amp fuse 7 Batt1 that sounds like it is blown. Here is a a guide and some diagrams (below) that will help you get the problem fixed:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Please let us know what happens, we are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken

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Friday, June 16th, 2017 AT 12:33 PM
Tiny
KATHY SCOTT
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This is an old thread, I realize that but the exact symptoms GKO926 posted back in 2013 is happening to my daughters 2002 Buick Regal. Including starting up by barely touching the key.
Unfortunately, as happens all too often the OP didn't let us know the outcome and how it was resolved.

It was working fine on Thursday and sat undriven or started until Monday morning and those things all happened at once.
We did have quite a rainstorm over the weekend and was curious if that could have something to do with it.
We had it towed to a shop on Monday and when they started it up for a test drive on Wednesday afternoon, everything was working properly so they can't diagnose anything. But I know it didn't just magically get better and it will happen again.
Sometimes, before this happened, the key would get stuck in the ignition and something had to be shoved in to the steering column near the ignition to release it.
Does the ignition in a Buick Regal also control power windows, blower, radio and gauges? The fuses are all fine.
Thank you.
Kathy
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Friday, December 4th, 2020 AT 8:20 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,465 POSTS
Yes, the ignition switch also provided power to many other systems in the car, however it's possible for only one section of the switch to have a problem and cause other issues. In this case I would highly suspect the ignition switch as they have been problems on many GM vehicles. The description of touchy key and key sticking also point to the ignition cylinder as the problem. The switch on those isn't hard to replace but if it has the antitheft system it can be tricky. You remove the steering column covers and the switch is screwed to the side of the column below the key cylinder. There are some wires you move out of the way and then you can change the switch. However if the key is loose in the cylinder you may want to have a locksmith make a replacement cylinder that can use the existing key and change it out as well.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 8:26 AM
Tiny
KATHY SCOTT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you so much for your response Steve!
We've picked it up from the mechanic and it's currently at my daughter's, but I was planning to exchange cars with her and take it to a different garage.
Think I might take a look around in there a bit before I do that. Doesn't sound terribly difficult.
I will update on this within a week!

Kathy
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 10:22 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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We'll be here. Good luck with it.
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
RMAINT1
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I have a 2014 Challenger, alarm went off, passenger window went down. I turn off alarm with fob. Now the gauges turn off and on, is says damaged keys. Window wont come up, says pass door is open. Headlights flicker, turn signals dont work, inside lights come on and off, and now push start wont work. I can work on the mechanical but don't know much on the electrical. Can someone tell what could be the issue? Thanks
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Saturday, January 30th, 2021 AT 1:22 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,465 POSTS
RMAINT1,

Could you please use this link and ask this as a new question? We try to keep the makes and models separate in order to make searching the site easier and the diagrams or pictures relevant to that vehicle. Thank you.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new
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Saturday, January 30th, 2021 AT 7:44 AM

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