Help with a "new" (1999) Regal?(solved)

[Geesie]

Or, Why I like my nice simple G Body Regal...

I'm on what could have been called vacation with my wife right now. We're currently at her parents' place and we've been driving her 1999 Regal. (Since she works from home, she never brought it out to Cali with us).

The problem: We went to the park and spent a nice day there. When we decided to leave, the car didn't start and we couldn't get the key out of the ignition. No lights, no nothing. We jumped it, it ran and seemed to be fine. We got it home, then when I tried to start it the exact same thing happened. No start, no power to anything, and couldn't remove the key. Her father gave it a jump and we pulled it into the garage. While it was still running, we put a voltmeter on it and it read about 14v, when we shut it off the battery read 12v but there was no dome light, no headlights, it was as if there were no battery.

I have a feeling there's a problem with the ignition switch. I'll be taking it to the mechanic tomorrow but if anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

 

[midwestls]

does it have the chipped key? If so I had almost the same problem with a 97 Aurora I use to own. What I ended up doing was replaceing some kind of securaty computer under the right side of the dash that read the chip on the key. Although mine would always give me the key back, it always acted as if it were dead. Sorry I can't really help you anymore then that. Good luck

 

[Geesie]

Well, problem solved. I feel like a complete retard. I was so wrapped up in the complexities of the car that I forgot to check the first thing I would have checked on my '84.

The battery terminals were corroded.
😳