Oldsmobile Silhouette won't start problems

Filed Jul 5, 2016 · Electrical · CO

Car won't start unless you wiggle the key in the ignition switch. Can die at any time while driving.

Filed Oct 15, 2006 · Electrical · 44,927 miles · ID

When attempting to start vehicle, first attempt vehicle would start momentarily and then die. Second attempt and subsequent attempts, vehicle would not start. Had vehicle towed to service shop and no problem was found. After some period of time vehicle would eventually start properly. Upon further investigation personally, found that the wiring harness from the fuel tank/pump had corrosion in and/or around the plug under the drivers' side second row seat. Cleaning the corrosion resolved problem thus far.

Filed May 18, 2005 · Electrical · IA

2001 oldsmobile silhouette experienced problems with the battery and the transmission.*mr when the consumer entered his garage he smell an acid odor then his eyes started burning. He then attempted to start the vehicle but it would not start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician determined that the battery terminal was over torqued when it was originally installed.

Filed Jun 14, 2004 · Engine · 17,000 miles · IN

When the vehicle was turned off and when the consumer came back into vehicle it would not start. After about an hour to two hours vehicle would start. This problem occurred five times since april 2003. Dealer examined the vehicle several times and could not duplicate or resolve the problem.

Filed Mar 19, 2004 · Electrical, Fuel system · AR

First issue: the windshield wipers fail to operate correctly. I replaced the blades and theres no improvement. They might go up/down 2 or 3 times then get stuck in up position, soon discovered that hitting bumps corrected for few seconds then again, they would fail to work properly. I took the vehicle to the repair shop & they said that it looked like the bearing was loose & later I replaced the wiper motor. #2: the fuel gauge is inaccurate & floats with acceleration or turns. The fuel warning light only illuminates after you've ran out of gas, you are out of gas when needle is slightly above 1/4 tank mark. #3: the front driver seatbelt fails to retract & often is shut in door b/c of failure. Also the seatbelt warning light/signal will only operate after you wiggle floor attached buckle. #4: the service engine soon light illuminates & remains lit. When attempting to retrieve trouble code the PCM does not communicate w/ scope diagnoster or when using aldl jumper wire method the service engine soon light never flashes the codes. #5: the driver electric window jumps when lowering & often falls from 1/2 up position & the passenger window rools only 1/2 down then must be pulled up by hand. Also, it makes a loud vibrating noise. #6: driver exterior door handle is broken & liftgate lock/latch does not lock & is loose. #7: transmission just suddenly went into neutral while exiting highway @55mph. When I kill the engine momentarily, the restarting problem subsided temporarily & also safety swithches did not function properly (would not start in neutral). I rebuilt the transmission & replaced all associated switches/modules.

Filed Oct 6, 2003 · Fuel system · VA

Consumer noticed that upon starting and without any indication vehicle would not start. Vehicle had been serviced four times, and technician replaced fuel pump.

Filed Jan 8, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · FL

This vehicle repeatedly stalls and kicks out or it won't start at all. When it does start, the vehicle chugs and shuts off, also there were electrical problems with the power sliding door and the front brakes were replaced.*jb

Filed Sep 25, 2002 · Electrical · CA

Looks like odi #563553. Car suddenly shut down in traffic - both instances. Able to restart once for 20-30 seconds, then starter won't crank. All instruments flash at time of failure then turn off, including gear shift indicator, but hazard flashers work. After towing to dealer everything is fine, and dealer is unable to duplicate the problem. Dealer won't fix what they can't observe. We believe suddenly losing power in traffic (with no brake lights showing) is a potentially deadly situation, I.e. Freeway and mountain driving. I wonder if this could be a malfunction in the programmable pk3 key system - shuts down while car is in motion? Nlm

Filed Apr 24, 2002 · Visibility · CA

Windshield wipers would not start operating. The system appeared "frozen" yet would start operating again in a few hours. The dealer replaced the windshield wiper motor assembly and charged me for the repair work. The same problem appeared in my 1994 oldsmobile truck silhouette. There is clearly a defect in the design of the motor assembly in these vehicles that allows the motors to hang.

Filed Apr 25, 2001 · Fuel system · CA

As consumer was getting into vehicle to start engine, it fired up and immediately ceased, all other functions in the vehicle worked, several attempts were made to start vehicle, however no luck, there was full battery power but no start, vehicle was towed into dealership for diagnosis and consumer was advised the ground wire for the fuel system had broken loose and would not allow vehicle to start, the wire is located in the rear near the gas tank, fuel system was replaced.