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Starter not working?

Tiny
ROBERTGRIMSLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • PONTIAC GRAND AM
I have a 1995 Pontiac Grand Am GT with a 2.4 liter quad 4 engine. It is also a 5 speed with 154,000 miles. My car ran fine until I put a for sale sign on it in my front yard(go figure:). The other day I went to crank it to wash it off from sitting under the trees and there was nothing but a click. Well after about 6 clicks it started turning over BUT would not crank. I turned the key off and try again and there is a click again. Sometimes it might take 2 turns of the key and sometimes 6 or 7 times before the motor starts turning over. Not sure what the deal is so out of curiosity I had my wife come out and try get it turning over(after a couple of trys) and I sprayed starting fluid into the breather. It acted like it was going to crank then but to no avail. Could you offer any advice on this problem and thank you
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Last tune-up?

Try looking for spark at the wire while cranking it over
Do you have spark?
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
QUACKSCHUK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM
Car had trouble starting the day before, but ran fine that evening. The next morning it was dead. Turned out I had a dead battery so I replaced that, and when I tried to start the car again it wouldnt turn over. All the interior and exterior lights, and my gauges flickered when trying to start, and a distinct clicking noise from one of the five relay's in the box mounted to the firewall. So I then replaced the clicking relay, car tried to go im thinking I may have blown that realy as well and am back to square one.
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
I would check the battery cables and the inline fusible links or large fuses for battery. The battery cables should have a tight metal to metal corrosion free fit. Look in the underhood fuse/relay box and you will see a diagram on top cover indicating battery fuse and starter relay. Check or replace them.
Even though the battery is new you might want to have it tested. See how much voltage it pulls when starting. If voltage drops below 12 then there is some issue.
I think it may also helkp to go though some of the steps in a dioagnostic walk through we have for this situation. I may give you 2 of them since there is information in each that may apply.
Always remember that Advance Auto ro Auto Zone will test batteries, pull trouble codes and loan out test and specialty tools as you go through these. Just use the links below;

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/rapid-clicking-sound-when-starter-is-used

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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
1ST THING SNATCH THE BATTERY OUT HAVE IT FULLY TESTED AT A POPULAR AUTO PARTS STORE.....SEE PIC 1

WHATEVER THE DEAL IS---RE-INSTALL "YOUR FULLY CHARGED BATTERY" OR YOUR "NEW FULLY CHARGED BATTERY"

IF IT FIRES UP....GREAT!

NOW LETS TEST THE ALTERNATOR---MAY BE THE REASON THE BATTERY WAS DOWN

HERE'S 2 WAYS TO DO IT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzz7P3qNHcE

THE OTHER WAY IS TO IMMEDIATELY GO BACK TO THE AUTO PARTS STORE WITH YOUR CAR....HAVE THEM FULLY TEST THE CHARGING SYSTEM...ALSO USE THE "AMP CLAMP" TO SEE IF YOU HAVE A "PARASITIC DRAW" (THIS PARASITIC DRAW 'THING' CAN BE FOUND ON "YOU TUBE" ALSO)

NORMALLY THE AUTO STORE WILL PERFORM BATTERY AND CHARGING TESTS FOR FREE!!!!

ALL RIGHTY THEN......GOOD BATTERY.....STILL NOT WORKIN'?

LETS SORTA GO THRU THIS.......THE "DRILL SERGEANT" PART IS WHAT I WANT YOU TO PAY ATTENTION TOO

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1996-chevrolet-tahoe-wont-start-sounds-dead-battery-jumpbox-get-same-reults

ONE LAST THING.....'FORE YOU GO OUT AND BUY SOMETHING EXPENSIVE, I MAY CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO SAVE

SIFT THRU THIS, TILL YOU FIND MY ANSWER AND PIC

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2001-kia-rio-brand-new-duralast-gold-battery-won-t-hold-charge

KEEP US POSTED (YOU VERY WELL MAY OWE ME LUNCH!) LOL!

THE MEDIC
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
QUACKSCHUK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Battery is all good, but still nothing when I try to turn her over. Relay is still clicking each time I turn the key though, and also noticed the abs, battery, and ebrake dash lights flick on for a seccond when trying to start?
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
QUACKSCHUK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
And by fuse/relay box do you mean the one under the abs module with the five relays in it? If so their is no diagram I could find
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHUBBYSANTA09
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1993 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
Car drove fine one day and got home turned it off and next day would not start. Cranks over backfires out the exhaust and pops out the intake.
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

With the Backfiring and all that is a typical sign of a timing problem. It sounds like it has jumped timing and you will need to have the timing belt replaced.

.
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
HAVE YOU DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, WAITED A FEW, RECONNECTED?

HAVE YOU CHECKED AND CLEANED CONNECTIONS ESPECIALLY THE BIG CABLES THAT BRANCH OFF OF THE BATTERY CABLES?

THE MEDIC
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MKWOOTEN1005
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1992 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 126,000 MILES
The car was running fine and then died. Got it started again, drove it home. Restarted as soon I got home. Now won't start. Have replaced the coils, ecm, brain, IDI module, tested fuel pump that tested fine. What do you suggest.
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Quad 4?

When you replaced the coils, did you also replace the coil hosing and the spark plug boots?
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MKWOOTEN1005
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Sohc replaced housing and boots
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
HAve you performed a compresion test?

Have you checked for codes?


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/30961_pongam_1.jpg

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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MKWOOTEN1005
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Checked compression and had no codes
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
So you have verified spark is present, fuel pressure is in spec and compression is good across the board?
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GMAN50CAL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1990 PONTIAC GRAND AM
Electrical problem
1990 Pontiac Grand Am 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual 175k miles

The starter on my son's Pontiac won't turn when trying to start. We can't jump start the car and none of the lights work including the dash. I've checked the fuses under the dash. Is there some main relay or fuseable link? Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MKWOOTEN1005
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
No spark
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Fusible Link Junction Box
LH Front Of Engine Compartment, Below Washer Fluid Reservoir

Could be a blown fusible link, the starter, starter relay, clutch switch and ignition switch assuming the battery and connections are good. Note:If it doesn't apply disregard.
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GHJEFFEII
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 112,000 MILES
Several days ago my 1995 Pontiac Grand Am refused to start and is instead making a loud clicking noise. The battery is roughly four years old as is the alternator, but I don't believe either is at fault as all of the lights come on just fine. I'm very much a novice when it comes to working on cars, but I replaced the starter yesterday and it is still making the same loud clicking noise (almost sounds like rapid hammering). What else could be the problem?

Thanks,

Gary
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Saturday, August 1st, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)

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