Starting problem

2005 BUICK LA CROSSE
203,000 MILES • 3.8L • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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VANTRESIA E SMITH-PEEPLES
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I replaced the battery and alternator and my car will crank and drive and then shut off completely. No lights and key gets stuck in the ignition. I removed the ground battery wire to see if it had fire and it did and hear clicking to the engine when taped the ground wire to the post. So we have power but i have no connection to crank and i am lost.
Mar 5, 2018 at 10:44 PM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,711 POSTS
Hello,

Sounds like the battery is shorting out. did you have this problem before you changed the battery or did you change the battery and have the problem?

Please let us know.

Cheers, Ken
Mar 7, 2018 at 6:01 AM
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VANTRESIA E SMITH-PEEPLES
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  • 4 POSTS
Before I changed it out was doing the same thing.
Mar 7, 2018 at 6:16 AM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,711 POSTS
It is difficult to know what the car is doing without being there. can you shoot a quick video and upload it in your reply? It sounds like you have a positive battery cable that is no good. Does all electrical go out when the problem occurs or just part or does the engine just stall and you cannot get the key out?

Mar 8, 2018 at 1:45 AM
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VANTRESIA E SMITH-PEEPLES
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I drive trucks so I am not near the car, but i can tell you all the power is gone. No power at all no head lights, no interior light, nothing at all and the key is stuck in the ignition because there is no power at all.
Mar 8, 2018 at 2:24 AM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,711 POSTS
Yes, It sounds like you have a main connection problem at the battery or one of the battery cables.
Mar 8, 2018 at 4:26 AM
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VANTRESIA E SMITH-PEEPLES
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  • 4 POSTS
Thank you so much.
Mar 8, 2018 at 4:38 AM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,711 POSTS
Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
Mar 9, 2018 at 4:42 AM
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