The car (97 Buick Le Sabre with 3800) ran fine and started fine until one day last week it did not turn over. After about 10 minutes it was tried again and this time it did start. It was used regularly with no issues for the next few days. Then one morning it didn’t start (or turn over) and hasn’…

I believe you hit the nail on the head with the security system. Is the antitheft LED flashing when it won’t start or won’t stay running? Check for fuel pressure at the rail. If the PCM sees an unauthorized starting attempt, it will cut fuel pressure. Try your other key first.

GM has the resistors in the key and if they change resistance the car will not start.

Have you considered checking the junction terminal to make sure the connections are clean with no corrosion? This terminal should be located near the battery positive post and all electrical power for the car except for the starter motor windings go through that terminal. The starter solenoid power…

Well, I think I will just bring it in after all. I tried to locate the wires I needed to splice in a resistor to, which matches the key, but the steering column wiring looks to be too tricky to get at. Thanks again. I will try to report back what eventually fixes the problem and how much it costs… …

Follow-up: So it turns out that it was the security system. Apparently the wires that read the resistance in the ignition key must have gotten worn out and they failed. As a result, the car thought that someone was trying to start it with a different, perhaps illegally copied, key. So it shut dow…

You found a very good shop to do the work and got a great rate to repair the trouble. The amount you paid isn’t even an hours worth of shop labor time at some places.

97 Buick LeSabre won't start

Maintenance/Repairs

EDubs April 8, 2013, 12:27am 4

I did try the other key but I it did not work. Though I haven’t tried to start it lately. I was thinking maybe it needed some time to reset and then I would try the other key. Probably a long shot. Beyond that, I think I will be checking into the security system scenario in more detail tomorrow. Thanks for the input!

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97 Buick LeSabre won't start

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