Thread: 2003 Buick Century (3.1) won't start after sitting

I have a 2003 Buick Century that was running just fine before it sat for about 3 weeks. And during that time, temps fell below zero for a few days. The battery is a brand new interstate battery, and I checked to make sure it was charged, and it was. We don't even get a clicking sound. It's just sort of a thud sound from the fuse/relay box under the hood. Bad fuse or relay? Starter? I'm trying to figure out what to start with first.

Jeff

Yes. It's been in Park for over 3 weeks, and no one has tried to start it until today.

Bad power or ground source is what I'm thinking.

If you flick the key over to start the engine and everything just shuts off and you get no click from the starter, then I suspect a bad power or ground from the battery to starter/body.

Thanks. I'll have to take a look. It's entirely possible that something rusted thru on that car. It's been a great car though.

Well, It's been really cold, so I didn't get a chance to look at the ground cable or anything else on the car. But it got up to 47 this last weekend, so we tried to start the car, and bingo...It started right up. And after a little over a month of sitting. I'm not even sure what to chalk that one up to.

Getting back to the Buick...It was running again for a bit and then now there's nothing again. Someone mentioned the neutral safety switch, but this engine doesn't have one on the exterior. I'm guessing it's interior?

It does have the same symptoms as if you were trying to start the car in gear. Dash lights and everything come on, but when you turn the key...nothing at all. Battery and alternator are new, and as far as I can tell, there are no broken or melted wires or connectors.

I need to find a way to bypass the neutral saftey switch. Is that possible?

Resolved. New starter, and all good now.