1995 Buick Century - Electrical Problems

[j***@terosv.net]

I own a 1995 Buick Century with about 135,000 miles on it. When I
drove to work today, I noticed that my anti-lock brake light was on
and wouldn't go away. The brakes worked just fine though. Doing some
digging, I found several other issues that weren't there yesterday:
the radio/clock worked, but would lose its settings every time the car
was turned off, the interior lights won't work, the power doorlocks
don't work, the power seats don't work, the headlights won't turn on
(high and low beams). The hazard lights won't turn on, but I can turn
on either turn signal just fine. The dashboard lights turn on/off as
usual. The AC system seems fine. The power windows roll up and down
as usual. The car drives just fine - no handling problems at all.

I've checked some of the fuses, and none of them look fried. I'm kind
of at a loss, and I'd rather not pay the mechanic at the Buick
dealership 90 bucks just to poke around inside if it's something I can
figure out and fix.

Any ideas?
- Justin

[Mike Marlow]

Post by j***@terosv.net
I own a 1995 Buick Century with about 135,000 miles on it. When I
drove to work today, I noticed that my anti-lock brake light was on
and wouldn't go away. The brakes worked just fine though. Doing some
the radio/clock worked, but would lose its settings every time the car
was turned off, the interior lights won't work, the power doorlocks
don't work, the power seats don't work, the headlights won't turn on
(high and low beams). The hazard lights won't turn on, but I can turn
on either turn signal just fine. The dashboard lights turn on/off as
usual. The AC system seems fine. The power windows roll up and down
as usual. The car drives just fine - no handling problems at all.
I've checked some of the fuses, and none of them look fried. I'm kind
of at a loss, and I'd rather not pay the mechanic at the Buick
dealership 90 bucks just to poke around inside if it's something I can
figure out and fix.

Check all of the fuses.

[j***@terosv.net]

Post by Mike Marlow
Check all of the fuses.
--
-Mike-

Done - all the fuses are good. Unless there are some hidden I don't
know about. Which wouldn't surprise me.

- Justin

[Mike]

Post by j***@terosv.net

Post by Mike Marlow
Check all of the fuses.
--
-Mike-

Done - all the fuses are good. Unless there are some hidden I don't
know about. Which wouldn't surprise me.
- Justin

Did you check the fusible links ?

[j***@terosv.net]

Post by Mike

Post by j***@terosv.net

Post by Mike Marlow
Check all of the fuses.
--
-Mike-

Done - all the fuses are good. Unless there are some hidden I don't
know about. Which wouldn't surprise me.
- Justin

Did you check the fusible links ?

That I haven't done - not quite sure how to go about doing that. Any
suggestions on how/where to look?

[Mike]

Post by j***@terosv.net

Post by Mike

Post by j***@terosv.net

Post by Mike Marlow
Check all of the fuses.
--
-Mike-

Done - all the fuses are good. Unless there are some hidden I don't
know about. Which wouldn't surprise me.
- Justin

Did you check the fusible links ?

That I haven't done - not quite sure how to go about doing that. Any
suggestions on how/where to look?

Haven't worked on any GM vehicles for some time but the fusible links were
always down at the starter. A fusible link is a special piece of wire that
will melt like a fuse if overloaded. They also seem to fail with age. Look
for the insulation to be burnt off or melted on the fusible link wire.

[Steve Mackie]

Post by j***@terosv.net
I own a 1995 Buick Century with about 135,000 miles on it. When I
drove to work today, I noticed that my anti-lock brake light was on
and wouldn't go away. The brakes worked just fine though. Doing some
the radio/clock worked, but would lose its settings every time the car
was turned off, the interior lights won't work, the power doorlocks
don't work, the power seats don't work, the headlights won't turn on
(high and low beams). The hazard lights won't turn on, but I can turn
on either turn signal just fine. The dashboard lights turn on/off as
usual. The AC system seems fine. The power windows roll up and down
as usual. The car drives just fine - no handling problems at all.

Reading through the power distribution wiring, I see all those components
are related to the fusible links at the battery. Check for +12VDC after
these fuses and you'll be sure to find the culprit. If not, check the wiring
between the battery and the fuse panel.

Also have your battery and battery terminals checked while you're there.

Steve

[j***@terosv.net]

Post by Steve Mackie

Post by j***@terosv.net
I own a 1995 Buick Century with about 135,000 miles on it. When I
drove to work today, I noticed that my anti-lock brake light was on
and wouldn't go away. The brakes worked just fine though. Doing some
the radio/clock worked, but would lose its settings every time the car
was turned off, the interior lights won't work, the power doorlocks
don't work, the power seats don't work, the headlights won't turn on
(high and low beams). The hazard lights won't turn on, but I can turn
on either turn signal just fine. The dashboard lights turn on/off as
usual. The AC system seems fine. The power windows roll up and down
as usual. The car drives just fine - no handling problems at all.

Reading through the power distribution wiring, I see all those components
are related to the fusible links at the battery. Check for +12VDC after
these fuses and you'll be sure to find the culprit. If not, check the wiring
between the battery and the fuse panel.
Also have your battery and battery terminals checked while you're there.
Steve

I popped the hood today and poked around a bit - I believe I found the
fusible links. There's a power line that runs from the positive
terminal on the battery out into a small box where it splits into 3
lines. Did some poking around on the 'net for pictures, and it looks
similar to some I saw. On the outbound side of this little box, there
are 3 red wires coming out, one of which is blackened and a bit
bubbled for about an inch past the box, after which it returns to
normal. Does this sound like what I'm looking for?

Thanks for all the help!
- Justin

[j***@terosv.net]

Post by Steve Mackie

Post by j***@terosv.net
I own a 1995 Buick Century with about 135,000 miles on it. When I
drove to work today, I noticed that my anti-lock brake light was on
and wouldn't go away. The brakes worked just fine though. Doing some
the radio/clock worked, but would lose its settings every time the car
was turned off, the interior lights won't work, the power doorlocks
don't work, the power seats don't work, the headlights won't turn on
(high and low beams). The hazard lights won't turn on, but I can turn
on either turn signal just fine. The dashboard lights turn on/off as
usual. The AC system seems fine. The power windows roll up and down
as usual. The car drives just fine - no handling problems at all.

Reading through the power distribution wiring, I see all those components
are related to the fusible links at the battery. Check for +12VDC after
these fuses and you'll be sure to find the culprit. If not, check the wiring
between the battery and the fuse panel.
Also have your battery and battery terminals checked while you're there.
Steve

OH! I forgot to add - when I messed around with the box, I couldn't
get it open, but after my efforts at poking the thing, all the afore
mentioned dead systems now work again. I'm assuming though that it
will still need repair?

- Justin

[Steve Mackie]

Post by j***@terosv.net
OH! I forgot to add - when I messed around with the box, I couldn't
get it open, but after my efforts at poking the thing, all the afore
mentioned dead systems now work again. I'm assuming though that it
will still need repair?

That sounds like the beast...and yes, you will still need to repair it.

Steve

[Sliver]

replying to justin, Sliver wrote:
I have those same issues, all fuses good. No head lights, auto seat, and all
the above as justin

--
posted from
http://www.motorsforum.com/gm/ecm-temp-sensor-2004-pontiac-grand-prix-78057-.htm
using MotorsForum's Web, Mobile and Social Media Interface t
alt.autos.gm and other automotive groups