Starter not working

Tiny
JESSALYNOLSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,400 MILES
Wont crank over, we have tried jump starting it. The lights, radio and vents work fine but the car doesn't turn over or make any sound when turning the key. Whats wrong?
Monday, February 21st, 2011 AT 3:29 AM

23 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the starter has gone out which is common but to be sure here is a guide to help confirm the issue.

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

If the starter is bad this guide will walk you through the steps of replacing it with diagrams and instructions below to show you on your car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Sunday, March 13th, 2011 AT 11:50 PM
Tiny
BEARHOUNDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
For my car and I had to get a starter for it cost me $116.00 for an AC Delco unit-- fixed!

Here is the link to it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QVQORE/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=2carprcom-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B002QVQORE&linkId=0d88ad01f707e576f4526dba964d6f4e

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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:26 PM
Tiny
GOD100
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 59,119 MILES
I bought a car it drove off the lot fine then later on that night it cut off. The next morning it wouldn't start. We had a mechanic look at it and he said it was the fuel pump. After he put the new fuel pump it cranked up for a min with some wire cables then cut off. The dealer came and got the car and said it was the fuse box and that somebody had been messing with the wires. Replaced the fuse box and it worked for a day then it cut off on the highway 3 0r 4 tries it cranked back. Before we got it home it cut off like 3 more times before we got home. The next morning it wouldn't start at all.
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
So tell me does it crank over and not start or does it not crank over at all? Do you have a way to check voltages and fuel pressure it needed?
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GOD100
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
After 5 or six times of cranking it would crank. Now it just sounds like its going to catch but it doesn't. Just keep turning over
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Ok can you check to see if it has spark? Simply unplug a spark plug wire and put a screw driver in the end and put it close to metal and crank it and see if you have spark. Get back to me on that.
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOSETTE MACE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
  • 174,000 MILES
Able to crank jumping the starter
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,864 POSTS
If you're saying you can run a jumper wire down to the starter and it cranks, that proves the battery is being charged and the generator is working. If all the electrical stuff inside the car is dead, the first suspect would be where the smaller positive battery cable bolts to the under-hood fuse box. Check that it is clean and tight.
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOSETTE MACE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
We have lights in and out side of the car everything else works
so what should we check next
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,864 POSTS
You'll have to look at the symptoms to figure out where to go next. If the engine doesn't crank with the ignition switch, the circuit feeding the switch is the place to start. If it DOES crank from the ignition switch but doesn't start or run, usually it's a sensor problem. Having the diagnostic fault codes read is the place to start but you would need a scanner or code reader for that, or if you can tow it to an auto parts store, many of them will read engine codes for you for free. Fault codes never say to replace parts; they only indicate the circuit or system that needs further diagnosis. The sensor will be bad about 50 percent of the time. Wiring and connector problems account for the other 50 percent of the problems.

General Motors is extremely selfish about allowing independent shops to work on their products, however, the government has mandated that anyone be allowed to work on emissions-related stuff, and that includes anything to do with the Engine Computer.
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RICK GOO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 83,000 MILES
When you turn the key the lights on the panel come on but the starter doesn't engage. We have had the security light on & off but no check engine light. We do have a remote starter, it seems to act up after using the remote.I banged on the starter and hit the wires by mistake got a spark then it started. Also it started up using another key once. My friend has a 86 monte and has the same problem. He has not had it fixed but he shorts the starter when he has a problem and it starts
is it in the security module?
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
If it starts by jumping the starter, it's not the security system. THe system will shut down the fuel and spark to the engine.

Try this. Have a helper turn the key to the start position while you check to see if there is power to the smaller wire on the starter.

Let me know what you find.
Joe
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RICK GOO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The car is in the body shop for a couple of weeks having some rust taken care of. We want to keep it for a few more years. I'll have to get back to you

thanks
Rick
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Rick,

Just let me know when you get it back.

Joe
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MISDECOURCEY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
  • 190,000 MILES
Is there something that will shut off fuel pump or trip fuel pump relay from a minor collision? 2000 Monte Carlo was in minor front collision with trees and bushes.I have attached a pic that shows damage done under passenger side fender when it was pulled out backwards and that happened from being caught on stump, or misc debris. (I only think this may be relevant since it is right underneath where the fuse box is where fuel pump relay is located) Nothing major for airbags to deploy.

Car will not start now. It will turn over strong. There is a clicking type noise from where fuel pump relay (fuse box )is under hood when trying to crank. (Relay is making that noise for about 2 minutes and then stops until you try to crank it again) I have listened for the fuel pump to prime/whine when turning key on, but I hear nothing. I know there is not a fuel reset switch in trunk, but is there anything else that would make the fuel pump cut off or trip the relay, etc. The car ran perfect before this and I just dont think it is a coincidence. Please help!
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Have you checked all fuses? Sounds like a bad fuel pump, they can go bad once in a collision.
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MISDECOURCEY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for reply. We did check the fuses and found one blown and I apologize but do not know exact one-My brother in law changed the fuel pump and it worked great, thanks for the help :-) this site rocks
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROBBIE BAXLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
  • 100,000 MILES
My mother in law gave me the car it had been sitting a year. When you try to crank it all the lights come on but nothing no sound nothing. It has a new battery and a switch on the steering column. I am thinking starter. What do you think?
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,864 POSTS
The starter should be the last thing on your list of suspects. You have not indicated you hear the rather loud single clunk of the starter solenoid. That turns on the starter motor. A better suspect is the neutral safety switch. Try cranking the engine with the gear shift lever in "neutral".

Also, try to listen for the very light click under the hood of the starter relay. Knowing if that is working is a good clue as to where to start the diagnosis.
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
  • 143,450 MILES
I have a 2003 chevy monte carlo ss with 3800 series 2 engine. I was driving this car with cruise set at 65mph, it felt like it started to loose power but still holding at 65. I pulled over as I slowed down it shut off it would not start back up due to the battery acting like it was dead, I check for busted hoses or belts none found, I turn the key on it showed the temp was high we tried jumping it but it would not start. After an hour I tried to start it it started but it had knocking type noise. After having it towed back to the house we checked the oil, and water it was both fine the noise sound like maybe the flywheel was hitting something after pulling the front 3 spark plugs out we turned it over it turns over normal for the most part no knocking type sound was heard the flywheel looks good it does not wobble or seem loose when when being turned over also after we got it back to the house we did get it to start we tried to move it, it went maybe 2-3 feet and shut back off.
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 12:27 PM (Merged)

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