Buick Encore's Weak Start Points to Terminal 30 Issue

Had a similar problem with my 2010 Buick LaCrosse. The symptoms matched exactly, weak turnover and starting issues. Initially thought it was just the battery, but the problem was more complex. The issue traced back to the charging system. The alternator wasnt providing consistent power, which led to the battery being heavily discharged. The starter motor was drawing insufficient current through the circuit breaker during startup, causing the weak cranking. The repair required: Testing the complete charging system, Checking all connections in the fuse box, Replacing corroded battery terminals, Installing a new alternator, Testing the power supply circuit This was a serious repair job since the faulty alternator had been slowly damaging other electrical components. The Terminal 30 circuit carries main battery power to the starter motor, so your mechanics diagnosis makes sense. Would suggest getting the charging system fully tested. The symptoms point to more than just a basic battery issue, likely involving the power distribution system.

Thanks for sharing your LaCrosse experience. I had these exact starting issues with my 2014 Encore last winter. The mechanic found multiple problems in the electrical system. Similar to yours, my charging system was failing gradually and caused a short circuit that affected several components. Your comment about the Terminal 30 power issues really caught my attention. I definitely see the parallels between our cases, especially with the weak cranking symptoms. Did you remember roughly what the total repair cost came to? Also curious if youve had any other electrical issues pop up since getting it fixed? Mine has been running fine, but Im always watching for warning signs.

Just wanted to follow up about the repair costs. My Terminal 30 continuous plus issue was completely resolved after the mechanic fixed it. The total came to 290 for diagnosing and fixing the electrical fault, which included addressing the heavily discharged battery. The charging system has been working flawlessly since the repair. No voltage drop issues or other electrical problems have surfaced. The power supply remains stable and the starter motor now engages strongly every time. Its been a relief not having to worry about those weak starts anymore. Regular monitoring of the fuse box and battery connections has helped prevent any new issues from developing. If you notice any unusual electrical behavior, even minor flickering lights or slow power windows, get it checked right away. These can be early warning signs of charging system problems.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses. After dealing with starting problems, I finally got my Encore fixed last week. The shop did a complete electrical diagnosis and found the voltage drop was happening due to a damaged wiring harness near the starter motor. The repair involved replacing the corroded wiring sections and installing a new battery terminal connector. They also checked the entire power supply system and cleaned up some corrosion in the fuse box. Total bill came to about 400, but it was worth it since the car now starts perfectly every time. Been driving it for a week with no issues. The starter motor engages strongly and all electrical systems are working normally. Really glad I got this sorted before winter. Going to keep an eye on the battery connections and do regular checks to prevent any future problems.