- #2 of 117
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electrical issue with 98 Bonneville SE
by chef5
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Nov 03, 2005 (5:20 pm)
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My 98 bonneville has frequently been stalling on me. It mostly happens when I first start the car up, or when I put the car in park after driving. But this week it happened to me while I was driving. When I try to restart the car it won't restart, but the weird thing is the windows won't work either. All the other electrical items in my car will work, except the windows. After playing around with the window switches for 5-10 minutes, the second the windows work the car will start. Once the car starts the check gauges light goes off. I have brought the car to my local pontiac dealership three times. The first time they said my battery cables were stripped. A week later it did it again. The second time I brought it in they said it was the pvc valve, but again it stalled. The third time they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. I'm very frustrated. Anybody have any idea what could be causing this.
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- #3 of 117
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Re: electrical issue with 98 Bonneville SE [chef5]
by jeffbog
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Nov 04, 2005 (10:33 am)
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Replying to: chef5 (Nov 03, 2005 5:20 pm)
I used to own a Bonneville and read this forum often. Your problem sounds similar to others reported months ago. If I recall, it had something to do with a bad body ground. I believe it was near the firewall (inside) or near the floor (under the carpet) on the driver side (front). Check back a few months in this forum and you'll probably find more detail.
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- #4 of 117
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Re: electrical issue with 98 Bonneville SE [chef5]
by december
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Dec 12, 2005 (7:22 pm)
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Replying to: chef5 (Nov 03, 2005 5:20 pm)
I have that exact same problem,my windows don't work also my power seats don't work either.Did you find the problem???
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- #5 of 117
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Re: electrical issue with 98 Bonneville SE [december]
by imidazol97
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Dec 12, 2005 (7:28 pm)
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Replying to: december (Dec 12, 2005 7:22 pm)
In some other discussions one place to start is all the connections for power and grounds in engine compartment. You have the double positive connector at the battery. Take that off (remove negative first) and clean up connection in both layers of washer-like contacts. Look for signs of battery acid leaking around the side post on the battery and getting into the cable and dissolving it internally. Check grounds on motor and fenders (frame); loosen, clean and tighten. Then reconnect negative ground at battery.
Check large fuses in Maxicenter also (relay center on firewall above motor). Remove, wiggle, etc., to ensure contact is good.
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- #6 of 117
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Re: electrical issue with 98 Bonneville SE [chef5]
by azu
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Apr 11, 2006 (4:03 pm)
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Replying to: chef5 (Nov 03, 2005 5:20 pm)
I am experiencing the same with my 95. When it stalls I cannot use the power seat, power windows, power locks and interior lights. The funny thing is that the defroster button will lite when I try to use these. If I play with these for a while I can get the car to restart. A sure fire way it will stall each time is just to put the defroster on and sure enough, 5 seconds later the car stalls and won't restart. My mechanic has given up, he can't find the problem! He only says it may be a rely problem! Help!
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- #7 of 117
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Re: electrical issue with 98 Bonneville SE [azu]
by imidazol97
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Apr 13, 2006 (5:42 pm)
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Replying to: azu (Apr 11, 2006 4:03 pm)
One thing is to check the ground blocks for moisture damage. Are you in a climate where water gets carried in or leaks in?
There's one by the driver's left foot by the emergency brake in the left kick panel. There is one under the carpet by the driver's door, between the door and the seat. There's on on the passenger side also. I'd start with the one by the emergency brake.
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- #8 of 117
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Re: electrical issue with 98 Bonneville SE [imidazol97]
by azu
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Apr 14, 2006 (8:59 pm)
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Replying to: imidazol97 (Apr 13, 2006 5:42 pm)
Actually mine is a 95, but I imagine 98 is probably similar. I have had the car a little over two months and it is in great shape. It has 187,000 miles and has a lot of new items. It runs and drives like new! When I first got it there was a massive leak that had water entering the trunk and flowing into the passenger compartment. I found the leak, rear tail light area and fixed it. I suspect that these ground areas are damaged. Seems to be a common problem. I will be investigating this and correcting in the morning! Thanks!
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- #9 of 117
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Re: electrical issue with 98 Bonneville SE [azu]
by azu
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Apr 16, 2006 (3:35 pm)
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Replying to: azu (Apr 14, 2006 8:59 pm)
Well I found only two grounds in the passenger compartment. One by the parking brake and one in the upper right corner of the front passenger side. None by the two front seats. I unscrewed them and sanded the surfaces and connections. These seemed in good shape. Found two in the trunk and did the same, they seemed ok. Did three under the hood and these had some white deposits on them. Sanded them down and put them back. Well it seems for now the problem is gone! Power seat works without quiting as well as power windows and locks. The sure fire killer was putting on the rear defroster. Well I put it on for several minutes and the car kept running(usually only a few seconds would kill it). I'll keep my fingers crossed as I hope I solved this problem. Thanks! Rob
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- #10 of 117
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Re: electrical issue with 98 Bonneville SE [azu]
by harop
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Apr 23, 2006 (3:08 pm)
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Replying to: azu (Apr 14, 2006 8:59 pm)
Azu, I have a 95 also with 160K. Just put new struts(Monro Sensa-trac) and tires(Michelline HidroEdge) and runs like a dream, well compared to latast model, 2000-2005, which I test drove for 6 month to find one. Finally gave up, hence new struts and tires.
If you have a sunroof, please let me know, because your leak problem could be something else and I can help.
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