Why does my Buick Skylark shut off while driving or start and die?

Short answer: If the whole car shuts down and restarts after five minutes, members pointed to the positive battery cable, since GM side-post terminals corrode inside, and to the ignition switch. If it catches and then dies with the anti-theft light on, the Passlock system (which reads the key in the ignition cylinder) thinks the car is being stolen and is cutting fuel.

Symptom: Everything goes dead while driving or at a light, then restarts after waiting. Or the engine catches, dies, and the security light comes on.

What to check first

1. Watch the warning lights when it dies. If they all go out, power to the ignition switch is being lost.
2. Inspect the positive battery cable at the side-post terminal for corrosion under the insulation.
3. Look for the security or anti-theft light at startup. If it's on when it dies, focus on Passlock.
4. Wipe the key clean and try a spare.
5. Get a second opinion before replacing the engine computer; one 1996 owner got two different diagnoses.

Likely causes

1. Corroded positive battery cable. A member said GM side-mount terminals can corrode and shut the car down.
2. Worn ignition switch. Points to it if the warning lights go out when it dies.
3. Passlock anti-theft fault. Disables fuel or ignition when it can't verify the key.
4. Engine computer. Suggested by one shop on a 1996, but confirm before buying.

What it usually costs

No owner posted a final bill. A battery cable is an inexpensive part; get any computer or theft system work quoted after testing.

Is it safe to keep driving?

No, not while it's shutting down at random. You lose power steering and brake assist. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

DIY for the battery cable and checking lights and keys. Passlock diagnosis needs a scan tool and often a relearn procedure, so a shop is usually better.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Related recalls: NHTSA lists these recalls touching this area of the Buick Skylark: 00V287000 (1994-1995 model years, electrical system); 02V070000 (1996-1997 model years, electrical system); 04V036000 (1998-1998 model years, electrical system); 07E015000 (1996-1998 model years, fuel system, gasoline); 07E021000 (1996-1998 model years, fuel system, other); 92V106000 (1992-1992 model years, fuel system, gasoline); 93V153000 (1993-1993 model years, electrical system); 94V122000 (1994-1994 model years, fuel system, gasoline); 96V212000 (1997-1997 model years, fuel system, gasoline); 97V059000 (1997-1997 model years, electrical system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of this recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• NHTSA complaints: 70 keyword-matched complaints for Buick Skylark 1992–1998 (of 455 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-25; keywords: stall, dies, shut off, won't start, cut out, idle, passlock, theft, security, battery cable, ignition switch). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 97 Buick Skylark- Randomly shuts down while driving on Car Talk, a 1997 Skylark shut down completely while driving and at lights, then restarted after five minutes; the mechanic found nothing twice. One member recommended replacing the positive battery cable because GM side-mount terminals corrode, and another suspected the ignition switch if the warning lights don't come on.
• In 97 Buick Skylark on Car Talk, a 1997 Skylark sometimes turned over, caught and died, with the anti-theft light on. Members said the car thinks it's being stolen, and one explained GM's Passlock system can disable fuel or ignition if it has trouble reading the key, suggesting wiping the key clean.
• In 1996 Buick Skylark on Car Talk, a 1996 Skylark started and died immediately on some stops, with the dash lighting up. One shop said the engine computer, another the alternator, and members said more detail was needed to tell which was right.

Quick tip

A random total shutdown on these GMs is so often a battery cable or ignition switch that it makes sense to check both before anything pricey.

Vehicle focus: 1992–1998 Buick Skylark (2.3L, 2.4L and 3.1L), sibling of the Oldsmobile Achieva and Pontiac Grand Am.

Safety / mechanic note

Sudden shutdown at speed removes power steering and brake assist. Verify with a mechanic.