Starter not working

Tiny
JBRADY
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA
Intermittent. Turn ignition, nothing no go no crank? Could this be the starter?
Monday, June 15th, 2009 AT 7:34 PM

38 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
When this happens, have a helper turn the key to the start position while you check for voltage to the starter's smaller wire. You should be getting 12+ volts. Let me know what you find.

This guide will help us

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 AT 8:15 AM
Tiny
MARTINP
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 300,000 MILES
I checked all plugs and fuses. I turn the key, everything lights up (normal) but the engine won't turn? What could it be?
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Here is the wiring diagram that you are going to have to follow to test the circuit.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SARAHCLAAR79
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I am having to same problem with my 1999 Montana.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KASOZI
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 PONTIAC MONTANA
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
Help the engine does not crank
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Pick your symptom below:

Cranks but no start condition:

Fuel and Spark:
Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.

Compression:
If both fuel and spark is present-check the valve and ignition timing, this will lead you to problems
with compression and valves opening and closing at the wrong time/broken or jumped timing
belt/chain.

No crank at all/nothing/nada:

Could be the starter, starter relay, clutch switch/park and neutral switch and ignition switch assuming the battery and connections are good.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOMMY
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 178,000 MILES
I have no clue it was about my 2001 pontiac montana and the starter issue I replaced it and the gage clusters are jumping around I believe it might be a voltage regulator problem also Ive noticed the starter is sparking upon trying to start it. The car wont start unless its jumped. What would make it spark why wont it start unless its jumped any help would be great. Thanks.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It's sparking because the starter is shorting or wires are hitting someplace they shouldn't be. You may have a bad battery as well. Get them both checked
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BHINDS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2001 PONTIAC MONTANA
  • 146,344 MILES
The battery is good, starter is good. Yesterday my security light was coming on as well as low fuel. The night before I slept in the van and I kept starting it to keep battery from going dead and to have heat (was watch a movie in it. I went to start it and nothing. I believe I ran it low on fuel but I put 15 dollars in it yesterday and it still says low fuel. Like I said it was flashing low fuel and security? Any ideas?
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Either the battery is drained or the security system is triggerre and not allowing you to crank. Try a jump start to see if it works.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BHINDS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Battery charged, all my lights radio work, and had on a 50amp charger and tried to jump start n nothing
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
The security system is triggerred. Try closing all doors and using the key to lock unlock and retest.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BHINDS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I just redid the security thing and now battery dead
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Check the battery terminals. Try cleaning and retightening them.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DPEE556
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 PONTIAC MONTANA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 122,438 MILES
Hi my van will not start or even try to turn over, the battery is new and in working order. What could cause this problem? Everything else works
thank you all
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
No crank at all/nothing/nada:

Could be the starter, starter relay, clutch switch/park and neutral switch and ignition switch assuming the battery and connections are good.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BHINDS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Done that lol
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
So is the battery dead or what?
Maybe you need a new one?
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BHINDS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The battery is good
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You said battery is good and it is dead? No indicators etc when switch turned on?

You need to provide us with as much information as possible because we are working blind and you are our eyes.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 5:15 PM (Merged)

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