1998 Buick Lesabre no instrument lights and won't start
Re: 1998 Buick Lesabre no instrument lights and won't start
thank you for your reply and patience to allow me time to test this. I am assuming that the ignition wires are of a heavier gauge than most other wires (IE 12 gauge instead of 14).
There is a RED wire that is hot. Then a Red with white stripe that is hot. Turning the key on to RUN, makes the orange wire HOT (but no gauge response or dash instrument lights) and the yellow is COLD. Turning the key to start (engage the stater) the yellow wire then goes HOT. There is not a blue wire nor is there a fuse in 3E.
I think that, by these tests, the ignition switch seems OK and the issue must be elsewhere. Other suggestions? Is there another fuse box behind the glove box that should have fuses checked? I have checked the under dash fuses and the fuse/relay center under the hood and all fuses test OK.
Could this be a resistor issue with the keys? I have tried both keys and neither worked.
Thank you in advance for any additional assistance you can provide.
There is a RED wire that is hot. Then a Red with white stripe that is hot. Turning the key on to RUN, makes the orange wire HOT (but no gauge response or dash instrument lights) and the yellow is COLD. Turning the key to start (engage the stater) the yellow wire then goes HOT. There is not a blue wire nor is there a fuse in 3E.
I think that, by these tests, the ignition switch seems OK and the issue must be elsewhere. Other suggestions? Is there another fuse box behind the glove box that should have fuses checked? I have checked the under dash fuses and the fuse/relay center under the hood and all fuses test OK.
Could this be a resistor issue with the keys? I have tried both keys and neither worked.
Thank you in advance for any additional assistance you can provide.
Re: 1998 Buick Lesabre no instrument lights and won't start
there are 3 fuses for the cluster.
fuse 1D (15A) In the left side dash fuse panel (hot with key on)
fuse 9C (10A) In the left side dash fuse panel (hot all the time)
fuse 8 (10A) In the right side dash fuse panel (hot with key on)
if the yellow wire for the starter is working at the ignition switch then it goes to the starter enable relay. That relay is connected and controlled by the passkey II decoder. But that shouldn't affect your dash. Check fuse #4 in the under hood fuse box for power. It is the fuse for the passlock.
If you could get a scanner that has the passkey information in it you could see if the information from the key is working. (tech2) check for passkey codes.
fuse 1D (15A) In the left side dash fuse panel (hot with key on)
fuse 9C (10A) In the left side dash fuse panel (hot all the time)
fuse 8 (10A) In the right side dash fuse panel (hot with key on)
if the yellow wire for the starter is working at the ignition switch then it goes to the starter enable relay. That relay is connected and controlled by the passkey II decoder. But that shouldn't affect your dash. Check fuse #4 in the under hood fuse box for power. It is the fuse for the passlock.
If you could get a scanner that has the passkey information in it you could see if the information from the key is working. (tech2) check for passkey codes.
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Re: 1998 Buick Lesabre no instrument lights and won't start
Again, thank you for your prompt response.
Fuse 1D COLD with key in any position
Fuse 9C HOT all the time
Fuse 8 (not sure which 10A fuse is #8) but there are only (2) 10A fuses on that fuse block. BOTH are COLD with key in any position.
I have a scanner tool for the 1998 and below vehicles and the scanner will not connect. Says vehicle not found. It appears that there is something that is causing the cluster not to power up AND the starter/circuitry not to activate. PCM?
Fuse 1D COLD with key in any position
Fuse 9C HOT all the time
Fuse 8 (not sure which 10A fuse is #8) but there are only (2) 10A fuses on that fuse block. BOTH are COLD with key in any position.
I have a scanner tool for the 1998 and below vehicles and the scanner will not connect. Says vehicle not found. It appears that there is something that is causing the cluster not to power up AND the starter/circuitry not to activate. PCM?
Re: 1998 Buick Lesabre no instrument lights and won't start
Also, all under hood fuses are HOT on both sides all the time.
Re: 1998 Buick Lesabre no instrument lights and won't start
if the fuses that are supposed to be hot in the run position do not show battery voltage when the key is in the run position then I would suspect a bad ignition switch if the powers going into the switch are all good.
If you have a fused jumper, you could use that to supply power to the 1D fuse and see if that lights up the circuits on that leg of the ignition switch. be careful not to overload any circuits.
If you have a fused jumper, you could use that to supply power to the 1D fuse and see if that lights up the circuits on that leg of the ignition switch. be careful not to overload any circuits.
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Re: 1998 Buick Lesabre no instrument lights and won't start
So, I put in a jumper from battery + to fuse 1D and the dash lights came on. Turning key to start position and car started. Based on this, does that confirm your suspicion of bad ignition switch?
If so, do I replace the key and lock portion or just the wiring harness to it? Online pics show key with lock and resistor wiring and others show a harness.
Thank you again for all your expert assistance. It appears that you have helped me get to the root of the problem.
If so, do I replace the key and lock portion or just the wiring harness to it? Online pics show key with lock and resistor wiring and others show a harness.
Thank you again for all your expert assistance. It appears that you have helped me get to the root of the problem.
Re: 1998 Buick Lesabre no instrument lights and won't start
yes, it sounds like the ignition switch is the problem from what you have found out. The ignition switch is different from the ignition lock and tumbler. You don't need to do anything with the lock and tumbler section. you ignition switch should look like the picture on the first page.
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Re: 1998 Buick Lesabre no instrument lights and won't start
Easy enough for a DIY'er to replace? Looks like it can b replaced without pulling the steering wheel as all the components are towards the base of the column. Know of any videos or instructions?
Re: 1998 Buick Lesabre no instrument lights and won't start
I don't know of any videos but you are correct that you shouldn't have to pull the steering wheel. But it is a little complicated to get to. Just take your time and be patient while working on it and it's not a big deal to switch it out.
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Re: 1998 Buick Lesabre no instrument lights and won't start
It seems like getting the lower dash pad panel removed is the most difficult. I got the three bolts off the bottom and removed the wood grain panels. It appears that the remaining screws are there. Do you know if that is correct? Any hidden bolts or fasteners that I should be aware of?
Last, it seems that I should be able to access all the components of the switch once this panel is out of the way. Is that correct too?
Thank you again. You have been a great help and I will let you know if this worked at 100% when I get it done.
Last, it seems that I should be able to access all the components of the switch once this panel is out of the way. Is that correct too?
Thank you again. You have been a great help and I will let you know if this worked at 100% when I get it done.
Re: 1998 Buick Lesabre no instrument lights and won't start
I don't think there are any "hidden" screws or anything like that. Once you get the under cover off everything should be accessible. There is a lot of stuff in there. getting at the fasteners may be a bit of a chore but it's not too bad. Having 1/4" drive socket set and some flex ratcheting combination wrenches would really help. But that about it. A little tedious but not too bad.
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Re: 1998 Buick Lesabre no instrument lights and won't start
You were right. Took longer to get all the trim off to get to the lower dash bolts. Had to drop the steering column too. New switch installed, all trim back in place, and replacing the switch took care of the issue. $32 dollar part and 2.5 hours to R & R.
Your troubleshooting help was spot on and I do appreciate it immensely.
Your troubleshooting help was spot on and I do appreciate it immensely.
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