Great job explaining steps taken and the thought process here. I have the same issue with a 2005 LeSabre and am hoping the fix is the same as here. It's very useful to learn about things that were checked on the way to finding the issue. The motto is "check the simple thing first." A garage would probably sell me a new starter, tighten the ground wire while in there, and I'd never know what happened.
After 2 years of electrical nightmare, its amazing what that one little bolt can do, I have watched several videos on electrical for buick lesabre and nothing ever worked. Your awesome , thanks for the video. Its like I have a brand new car!
The look of victory when she started, refers to all the stuff you did that you didn't have to. I've been there. But now you're totally knowledgeable. So it's all worth your time my friend!! Love your car and she'll love ya back. I really thought it was going to be the starter relay. Yes, either the ground bolt was the wrong one, the threads were stripped or clogged up, or they forgot some washers, or there was supposed to be another ground wire going there too, so the thickness of its ring terminal would take up the slack. It may have been an innocent mistake because they did tighten the bolt. They should have checked it afterwards though. Yes, all ground connections must be metal to metal with absolutely no grease or oil on them. It doesn't take much to block a measly 12V - e'hem, dirty battery terminals. Thanks for the video. I love my '02 LeSabre !!!! They'll never make cars like this again!! You can actually maintain them yourself as they're user friendly, unlike most of the overpriced garbage 🗑️ people are driving these days ! Cheers, man !
Thank you so much! this was the most helpful thing i could find online i did everystep u had before watching this just to find out my ground was loose, SERIOUSLY THANK YOU BROTHER
You’re brilliant! Wish I could bring my 1998 Buick Lesabre to you. My issues started out with the Valet appearing to act as though it though someone had gained access illegally. (Remote hasn’t worked in years so I always use a key to unlock and the electric lock bottom as I exit.) I started experiencing issues with my battery repeatedly draining down. I’d charge it up and I’d also witness the horn honking, marker lights strobing on and off intermittently, buttons clicking inside 🤷♀️🤢😥 I was beside myself. Then I started experiencing issues with the engine not seeming to have the capability to fully turn over and it would cough and sputter. I replaced my Battery and put in a new one. Same issues. I burnt out my starter trying to get it to turn over for 15 minutes. (May have been ready to go anyways hard to say). I installed a new starter. Car ran great for two days although the first time I entered the vehicle after the battery was reconnected, the usual flashing, clicking etc occurred. I drove it two days in a row and the third the engine again does not want to turn over. Garage says could be a million things. Seriously, is it as easy as just testing every fuse to see what’s drawing power? Is there something I’m missing that is an easy fix? Signed Frustrated Woman in 🇨🇦
Get a multimeter (~$25). Test the voltage of the battery across the terminals while it's at rest. Anything less than 12.4V means you should recharge it overnight ($50 charger). Anything less than, say, 12V means it's definitely being drained to the point of a no-start, and if this continues, damage to your new battery will result. If you find that you have a parasitic draw draining your battery when engine is off, well - good thing you now have a multimeter, because that's what you'll need to find it. Study Ohm's Law and then watch the numerous videos here on YT about finding the source of a parasitic draw. My guess is that your car should draw no more than ~50mA (50 thousandths of an amp of current) when fully shut down. It's going to be a matter of finding the problem circuit(s). You'd be well-advised to get the Factory Service Manual off e-bay. I found one for under $10 for my '93 Olds. They used to cost well over $100. Figure out which circuits are controlling your electrical gremlins. Use your multimeter to measure them.
Hey, nice job on this video. Sorry about the parts cannon trouble. Just want to let you know your effort is appreciated, and you likely helped a lot of people in the process!
Good job on vid n fixing her car Hope she was appreciative of your help...I've had same thing happen to me after buying new starter and replacing it for it just to click again... an old mechanic told me make sure all connections are clean and tight from battery to starter never forget to check first... best part of vid is that look at 5:20 of satisfaction and relief after stressing over the problem... BTW If it clicks usually means the key and ignition fuses and relays are ok
I just bought a 97 lesabre with 90,000 miles had the fuel sticker replaced then coolant valve intake a couple weeks ago it started doing this not cranking thing yesterday.
Hi there. Finally towed the Buick this past Wednesday. It turned out to be the Timing Chain that was gone. 😞 Off to Salvage it went. I returned my new Battery to Costco and unfortunately am out the new Starter and Labour I paid for the install.
Great video after a lot of time after a lot of money and aggravation ignition fuse which is the one that's video showed right in the middle could have been loose keep everybody posted
thank you very much. my wife s car. won't start. (buick lesabre). she call me from her work. asking me go to pick her up. because the car won't start. when i was driving to pick up her. i was thinking. how i can fix. i wanted don't leave the car there. but i have any idea. about mechanic. so i went to online and watch your video. i did exactly. like you did. and. the car. started. thank you very much.
Great video! Researching a similar problem on my son's car. Hopefully this will work, but even if it doesn't work for me This is An Awesome informative video describing your trouble shooting and the common misdiagnosis.
Working on my sons LaSabre now he uses it as a mail route car an figure bucking snow drifts here in NW Iowa something’s loose. Will look at ground. Thank u
having the same problem with mine but I haven't tried anything yet so wish me luck lol.im going outside to do it and was wanting to check your vid and it was a good one thanks man.yeah mine did the same thing but without the click click sound.it just lights up
I have the same Buick mine is a 2005 3.8. and it just clicks i am charging it now, if that don't work i am going to follow the steps you showed, Thanks
My century does this and my stereo and clock has been resetting itself to 12:00 since having starting issues. Any advice? Even when it would crank the stereo clock would still be reset.
Hey. If youre active right now.. Can you please help me. Im literally on the side of the intersate in Tennesee with low phone battery and no reception. Dame car doing kinda the same thing. I dont know how recent this is but I super need help 🙏
My neighbors lesabre clicks once and nothing I tried jumping and nothing. I'll take a look at those relays to see if that's it. Voltage at the battery is 12.6v a little low but should crank especially with jumper cables on it. If you have any insight I would greatly appreciate the input!
I was thinking ground on my moms top if you are outside you can hear the starter go foward and engage but not spin but i could not see the ground easily from above so UA-cam ask and ye shall receive
Ha turns out there was no nut on the postive on the starter it would still start some times if i would have known i could have just pulled on it while she started it
I got 5. 2000 to 2002. I like them. Big car not truck. I bought for $2500 each all have under 100k. ? Could get a $50k truck i guess. 5 buicks cheaper & better ?
I love the Buicks . as GM IS A disaster in this electrical is design of its location. Every thing electric has been a ground and or fuse relay box which I just buy another one they're very cheap and inexpensive pretty cars the cars have had recalls on the box under the backseat due to its location in there faulting it but other than that I love the Buick
Great job explaining steps taken and the thought process here. I have the same issue with a 2005 LeSabre and am hoping the fix is the same as here. It's very useful to learn about things that were checked on the way to finding the issue. The motto is "check the simple thing first." A garage would probably sell me a new starter, tighten the ground wire while in there, and I'd never know what happened.
You followed the same logic I would have and probably most would have. This is super helpful to know, great vid, thank you!
eBay are junk 40 starter you don't get much
After 2 years of electrical nightmare, its amazing what that one little bolt can do, I have watched several videos on electrical for buick lesabre and nothing ever worked. Your awesome , thanks for the video. Its like I have a brand new car!
The look of victory when she started, refers to all the stuff you did that you didn't have to. I've been there. But now you're totally knowledgeable. So it's all worth your time my friend!! Love your car and she'll love ya back. I really thought it was going to be the starter relay.
Yes, either the ground bolt was the wrong one, the threads were stripped or clogged up, or they forgot some washers, or there was supposed to be another ground wire going there too, so the thickness of its ring terminal would take up the slack.
It may have been an innocent mistake because they did tighten the bolt. They should have checked it afterwards though.
Yes, all ground connections must be metal to metal with absolutely no grease or oil on them. It doesn't take much to block a measly 12V - e'hem, dirty battery terminals. Thanks for the video. I love my '02 LeSabre !!!! They'll never make cars like this again!! You can actually maintain them yourself as they're user friendly, unlike most of the overpriced garbage 🗑️ people are driving these days ! Cheers, man !
Thank you so much! this was the most helpful thing i could find online i did everystep u had before watching this just to find out my ground was loose, SERIOUSLY THANK YOU BROTHER
your failure-honesty will save alot of people money-time.Thankyou.
Check the fuse box & fuel pump
The general Motors recall on them
It can start a fire 🔥
You’re brilliant! Wish I could bring my 1998 Buick Lesabre to you. My issues started out with the Valet appearing to act as though it though someone had gained access illegally. (Remote hasn’t worked in years so I always use a key to unlock and the electric lock bottom as I exit.) I started experiencing issues with my battery repeatedly draining down. I’d charge it up and I’d also witness the horn honking, marker lights strobing on and off intermittently, buttons clicking inside 🤷♀️🤢😥 I was beside myself. Then I started experiencing issues with the engine not seeming to have the capability to fully turn over and it would cough and sputter. I replaced my Battery and put in a new one. Same issues. I burnt out my starter trying to get it to turn over for 15 minutes. (May have been ready to go anyways hard to say). I installed a new starter. Car ran great for two days although the first time I entered the vehicle after the battery was reconnected, the usual flashing, clicking etc occurred. I drove it two days in a row and the third the engine again does not want to turn over. Garage says could be a million things. Seriously, is it as easy as just testing every fuse to see what’s drawing power? Is there something I’m missing that is an easy fix? Signed Frustrated Woman in 🇨🇦
Get a multimeter (~$25). Test the voltage of the battery across the terminals while it's at rest. Anything less than 12.4V means you should recharge it overnight ($50 charger). Anything less than, say, 12V means it's definitely being drained to the point of a no-start, and if this continues, damage to your new battery will result. If you find that you have a parasitic draw draining your battery when engine is off, well - good thing you now have a multimeter, because that's what you'll need to find it. Study Ohm's Law and then watch the numerous videos here on YT about finding the source of a parasitic draw. My guess is that your car should draw no more than ~50mA (50 thousandths of an amp of current) when fully shut down.
It's going to be a matter of finding the problem circuit(s). You'd be well-advised to get the Factory Service Manual off e-bay. I found one for under $10 for my '93 Olds. They used to cost well over $100. Figure out which circuits are controlling your electrical gremlins. Use your multimeter to measure them.
Hey, nice job on this video. Sorry about the parts cannon trouble. Just want to let you know your effort is appreciated, and you likely helped a lot of people in the process!
Good job on vid n fixing her car Hope she was appreciative of your help...I've had same thing happen to me after buying new starter and replacing it for it just to click again... an old mechanic told me make sure all connections are clean and tight from battery to starter never forget to check first... best part of vid is that look at 5:20 of satisfaction and relief after stressing over the problem... BTW If it clicks usually means the key and ignition fuses and relays are ok
I love my 2004 LeSabre. I bought it brand new in Nov '04. It has 97,576 miles on it. The BEST car I've owned. Can't beat a Buick!!!!!!
Mack my mother has an 04 and barely has 50,000 miles on it.. Everyone tries to talk her into selling it to them...
I just bought a 97 lesabre with 90,000 miles had the fuel sticker replaced then coolant valve intake a couple weeks ago it started doing this not cranking thing yesterday.
Whew! Thanks God you found it and fixed it!
When you showed the ground wire was that on the driver side underneath the car?
Hi there. Finally towed the Buick this past Wednesday. It turned out to be the Timing Chain that was gone. 😞 Off to Salvage it went.
I returned my new Battery to Costco and unfortunately am out the new Starter and Labour I paid for the install.
Great video after a lot of time after a lot of money and aggravation ignition fuse which is the one that's video showed right in the middle could have been loose keep everybody posted
thank you very much.
my wife s car. won't start. (buick lesabre). she call me from her work. asking me go to pick her up. because the car won't start. when i was driving to pick up her. i was thinking. how i can fix. i wanted don't leave the car there. but i have any idea. about mechanic. so i went to online and watch your video. i did exactly. like you did. and. the car. started. thank you very much.
Great video! Researching a similar problem on my son's car. Hopefully this will work, but even if it doesn't work for me This is An Awesome informative video describing your trouble shooting and the common misdiagnosis.
Doug & Annie Wall did it work?
Working on my sons LaSabre now he uses it as a mail route car an figure bucking snow drifts here in NW Iowa something’s loose. Will look at ground. Thank u
So someone made a problem.
Thanks for the information.
having the same problem with mine but I haven't tried anything yet so wish me luck lol.im going outside to do it and was wanting to check your vid and it was a good one thanks man.yeah mine did the same thing but without the click click sound.it just lights up
I have the same Buick mine is a 2005 3.8. and it just clicks i am charging it now, if that don't work i am going to follow the steps you showed, Thanks
That’s good shit. I’ve done what u did replaced everything an now I’ll try ground😂😂
next how to replace the valve cover gasket to fix one of many oil leaks! lol
Yessir great detail boss you did a great job
As my wife would say well that gotcha some brownie points.
I hope this is a similar problem to a 2001 Regal. Started many times normally and then one day click click click. Thanks and will see what happens.
Thanks for your honesty
fine i’ll try tightening the ground wire, i can’t find the problem only getting 5v to the solenoid
My century does this and my stereo and clock has been resetting itself to 12:00 since having starting issues. Any advice? Even when it would crank the stereo clock would still be reset.
Mine starting do this a couple weeks ago too. Id love to know whats causing this.
Great explanation! Thank you.
Are you in fl?
Great video man
Time for the "Big 3" upgrade or "grounding kit"
Added to much oil and it won't start?
I'm having the same problem with my 2000 Buick lasabra I changed my transmission with a 2003 transmission an it does this
Good job I'm a mechanic too
My buddy has the same problem ...thanks
Hey thx for posting...
Hey. If youre active right now.. Can you please help me. Im literally on the side of the intersate in Tennesee with low phone battery and no reception. Dame car doing kinda the same thing. I dont know how recent this is but I super need help 🙏
Like maybe I can send you a pic or a video of what its doing. Idk. But the battery is just fine it seems. Its just not rolling over
When did the issue start was anything done under the hood or by the steering column around the time the issue began
Excellent video ..
My neighbors lesabre clicks once and nothing I tried jumping and nothing. I'll take a look at those relays to see if that's it. Voltage at the battery is 12.6v a little low but should crank especially with jumper cables on it. If you have any insight I would greatly appreciate the input!
Marcus Zizzo That What My Car does & I tried everything. Did your neighbor find the problem? Please help I have a 01 Buick lesabre
great video. thanks..
Could be too long of a bolt the engine swapers put in.
I was thinking ground on my moms top if you are outside you can hear the starter go foward and engage but not spin but i could not see the ground easily from above so UA-cam ask and ye shall receive
Ha turns out there was no nut on the postive on the starter it would still start some times if i would have known i could have just pulled on it while she started it
thanks for the Video amazing....
2003 Buick Lesabre - what a money pit. One thing after another sensors bad, gaskets, battery keeps dying, etc etc etc.
GM produces crap cars.
I got 5. 2000 to 2002. I like them. Big car not truck. I bought for $2500 each all have under 100k. ? Could get a $50k truck i guess. 5 buicks cheaper & better ?
I love the Buicks . as GM IS A disaster in this electrical is design of its location.
Every thing electric has been a ground and or fuse relay box which I just buy another one they're very cheap and inexpensive pretty cars the cars have had recalls on the box under the backseat due to its location in there faulting it but other than that I love the Buick
That should all have been checked first Put washer under-the starter bolt it maybe too long for the pocket thread
Those are good cars
Stay away from cheap starters and electrical parts. Junk! Go one always! You've probably already replaced that cheap starter already.
Tldr; disconnected ground wire.
I where start wire color Black and purple ,red
What a dumb place to put a ground wire!