2000 Buick Regal with a blinking dash?

Question

I have a Buick Regal with an electrical problem. It started with a single occurence of all dash lights blinking on with the engine shut off. My impression is the ECM rebooting. It did this once or twice a day with no observed pattern for about four days. Now when the key is inserted, ignition on, prior to starting - the dashboard blinks! It blinks approximately twice a second. The enging can be started, but it runs - on and off - with the same twice a second timing. I only ran for two seconds to make this observation.
I have never seen this sympton before, and internet quiries makes no reference to this behavior.
Any suggestions? Seen before? TSB's?
Is it worth buying a scan tool to try to get codes or should this go to a shop.

Answer 1

I found a few cases similar to what you describe.
2000 Buick Regal 3.8L, Vin K The problem was that the car sometimes it would not crank normaly it sounded like the starter was going out. other times the dash lights would flickers by them selfs. replaced the ignition swithc and it fixed the problem 06/08/2006
2000 Buick Regal 3.8L, Vin K This car had a hard time cranking and it wouldnt want to crank and the dash lights would keep on flasing. had a U1040 code. replaced the ignitions switch fixed the problem 06/05/2006
2000 Buick Regal 3.8L, Vin K Car stalled out and was towed to our shop. Wouldn't restart, would crank like someone was turning ignition key to start and off rapidly. When key was left in run position, all instrument panel warning lights and gauges pulsed on and off like a turn signal bulb. If parking brake was on or headlights or hazard lights were on, problem went away but as soon as these were turned off car surged and stalled. Found ignition relay turning on and off creating the pulsing in the instrument panel warning lights and other electrical circuits such as power windows, ect. If turn signals were turned on, all instrument panel warning lights would go off. Checked instrument panel fuses and found 4 fuses for PCM, BCM, Ign. relay, ABS, Air Bag, turn signals and cluster with no power. Traced power outage to pink wire coming out of ignition switch. Power wire going to ignition switch had 12.6 volts. Replaced ignition switch and problems were solved. 01/09/2006
Hope this helps.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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RE:
2000 Buick Regal with a blinking dash?
I have a Buick Regal with an electrical problem. It started with a single occurence of all dash lights blinking on with the engine shut off. My impression is the ECM rebooting. It did this once or twice a day with no observed pattern for about four days. Now when the key is inserted, ignition on,...

Answer 4

2003 Buick Regal Problems

Answer 5

If the check engine light isn't lit (though maybe it soesn't run long enough to tell?) you won't get much from a scan tool.

I was originally thinking the power to your dash was intermittant, but that should not conk out your engine.

Sounds like shop time.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Scan tool probably will not do any good, take it to a shop. Check to see if any relays are clicking while this is happening, look for any loose connections in the harness and at the fuse panels.

Answer 8

I have never seen that one before. But for what a scan tool cost (a good one) I would go to a shop. That or learn how to Disco dance.

Answer 9

first write down all the symptoms then call the dealer and ask whether it is normal or not or if you need to bring it in. the reason why I say the dealer is becuase they're supposed to be more experianced, if you know another mechanic that is a expert then go with that guy

Answer 10

i'd pay someone an hour or so for their time to diagnose the problem.