QuestionI drove a 1/4 of mile down the road. Parked my 1997 Buik Regal and it went completly blank. Engine stopped, lights everything. At first I thought it was my batterie because the car not only would not turn over but the dash board lights would not come on even the clock and I could not get my key out of the ignition. Well after reading the book I am able to get the key out but even after charging the batterie I will not start. I do not recall hearing any strange noises or the car acting any different. While the car was being charged it still would not turn over although the lights worked and the door chimmed when open. For an hour we tryed to recharge it. We also checked the fuses as indicated in the manual and they all looked fine.
AnswerHello Lisa,
If you didn't unhook the battery to charge it, then unhook it now, for several seconds, and then reconnect it. And make sure the connections are clean where the contacts are, both pos and negative.
Wiggle the shift lever while trying to start it, in case the neutral switch isn't contacting.
But it sounds to me more like a loose wire. Check the battery cable that bolts to the engine block, and check the cable that bolts to the starter.
Then check where the power cable bolts to the fuse block/convenience center under the hood, where all the relays are.
And then, there are some fusible links, probably on the starter stud, where the battery cable, and other wires connect.
If all that seems ok, try a different battery, or at least have yours tested with a load tester, and make sure they test it at the side terminals if you have a battery with both side and top terminals. I have seen them with bad connections inside the battery,going to the side terminals.
Van
