1990 Buick Century Battery Problems

The "experts" will need more info. Does the engine turn over? If not do you hear a click or a clunk when you turn the key? Have you tried to jump start it? Did the problem occur immediately after you put the battery in?

Each step is a diagnostic tool.

it dont click dont do nothin. no noise. idk if its the ignition switch or the ignition lock. the battery an this problem might not even be related just had to happen after i put in the battery idk

Sounds to me like your ignition switch is shot. That's probably why it's not not starting, you may or may not have other issues too.

Your ignition switch tells your new battery to power everything up, and send juice to your starter. Changing it out sucks, and is too involved to explain here. You can find the info in a manual for your car.

you talkin the switch or the lock?

You already said the lock was broken.

The switch itself.

If nothing at all works -

Is the battery charged?

Are the connections clean tight (and fitted to the terminals)?

Are the other ends of the battery leads connected to the vehicle? (one should go to the stater motor (on the engine). And the other to the chassis or body of the vehicle) These can come loose or be dirty. If so nothing will work - or work poorly.

If your new battery was full and is now flat - chances are all above is ok, BUT you left the ignition on "accessory" when you took the key out.

Get the battery recharged and make sure the ignition is fully off before removing the key.

Where oh where are you Mr. Kreskin?

Do your headlights work? If yes, the rotary electric switch behind the key lock, might not turn or the contacts may be faulty. or maybe a multi connector on it might be loose (same place, behind the rotary switch) When you can operate your lock without key means it's had its best times. Sometimes there is a coupling in plastic between that key lock and the rotary switch that might be broken or worn out, not picking up the rotary action.

Stop guessing. Get a test light, or meter. Charge the battery. Then test the battery itself. If it is dead, your new battery is junk. If it is live, move one test lead to the negative battery cable. Is it dead? If so the negative connection at battery is bad. If it is live, move to the steel body of the car. Make sure you are getting through the paint, and check the voltage again. If That is bad, you have a bad ground from the negative battery cable to ground. If it is good, follow the same technique on the positive side. First the battery, then the battery cable, then the starter motor stud.

If all of that checks out good, go to the terminal stud on the back of the alternator. Then check all of the terminals in the fuse box. There is a wire that runs from the positive terminal post to the alternator to the fuse box, and the ignition switch.

My guess is that you will have found your problem before you reach the end of my list. If not just let me know.

Good luck.

Did you ever hear it run before you bought it? Does it start without a key because it was jimmied by a thief? Who changed the battery? Was it done with an eye to where ALL the cables went? Was it jumpstarted to get it home? If so, where were the jumper cables connected? Are the fuses OK? Do the lights work? Lotta wiring in a 90 Buick.

started just fine when i baught it. averything works as it would without the key in it. so just think about it this way. i turn the key an nothin happends as if i never turnned the key at all.. so for example. my headlights work dome light works.. but blinkers, windows, warnning lights, radio, door locks dont work.. i just replaced the ignition switch so its not that.. idk what to do next. im so lost

GA

Some models have an "ign" fuse. You might want to check this fuse . Check the rest of them while you're at it.

h

New batteries generally need charging before use.

http://cr4.globalspec.com/search/sitesearch?do=show&sort=textmatchrank&srch=buick%20problems&order=asc

from what youve said which isnt much.

i would say it was the ignition switch which is just behind the ignition lock, (simple guide)

the indicators, radio (on most cars) car heater, air con,brake lights (again some cars) wont work without the igniton being on.

the reason you have an ignition lock is to stop people stealing your car the lock has a switch on the back of it, if the key is the correct one the key will turn and turn the igniton switch which will allow power to go to the Ignition side of the fuse box, then all the ignition circuits if the fuses and wires are ok will power up.

just cos your mates car starts ok is not enough his car isnt faulty

to test electrical low voltage circuits you will need a multi meter or test light

the test light is the easiest and the cheapest.

you will need a 12 volt lamp like a flasher bulb or side light no more than 21 watts cos they get hot.

place the bulb into a bulb holder or get someone to solder a wire to each terminal of the bulb

the wire you need will typicaly be the size of cable you would use on the power lead of a computer or reading lamp. ( notice i am not using any technical terms here)

you will when you have finished a bulb with two wires now always before you test things test the tester cos if the bulb is bost ( broken) it wont work.

http://www.scottykilmer.com/ very good basic stuff

starter motor testing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkNwHV7Ggio&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=testing+the+starter+motor&aq=f

test light testing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjXt7_gusgM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXzKcEyIOq8 wiring testing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wslo0QSrs58&feature=related testing electrical

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcuWz1khYe4&feature=related fuse box testing

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+test+a+starter&aq=5

basic videos

http://www.ehow.com/video_2326771_make-auto-repair-maintenance-kit.html

I would suggest you watch some of the above videos to get an idea of what your supposed to be doing.

I hope ths helps

Please report back on your progress

Peter , you did it again! Just love to read your suggestions and writings they are good and will usually get to the problem.

Bob's and the others are good also. I just hope you guys didn't give this poor guy too much to do at once.

There isn't very much of anything left for me to suggest since you guys have covered just about all that might be necessary to check out the problem.

The only thing that I didn't see was a suggestion to get another car!

Enjoy reading all the replies!

h

If you are having problems, you can always try a Cavalier. You will think the Buick is great after that.