My engine will not crank over why?

Tiny
MISTYDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
Won't crank. When I turn the key, all lights go out and I hear a single loud "click" from engine compartment. Lights come back on when key is released. Battery is fully charged and OK. There has been no damage to the car. Previously there have been no problems with starting. What might be the cause of the engine not cranking?
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 AT 7:29 PM

28 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,087 POSTS
You have a bad or corroded battery cable connection.

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

Be careful that the positive cable doesn't touch anything metal. This guide can help as well

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

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 AT 7:37 PM
Tiny
GWYNN2744
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I had this problem and had to get a starter cost me $134.00
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:22 PM
Tiny
LAKEE1215
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 65,700 MILES
So on Friday I stopped to get gas and when I got back into my car it would not crank. I made sure the gear was in park and tried again and it did crank. On yesterday I pulled off from the redlight and it started to skip per se like twice and then it stopped. Today I stopped to get my mail and when I got back in my car it would not crank. WHat could be the problem. The batter is fine. The car just had an oil change on Friday. It has one half tank of gas in it. Could it be the transmission?
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Make sure the battery connections are clean and tight.
Have the battery and charging system checked for free at any autoparts stores.

If all is good, (battery connections, charging system), then the problem is probably in the ignition switch.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WARRENGARDNER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 190,000 MILES
Car sat about 3 months started up fine run and died had battery recharged took out srarter had it tested and fine hooked up starter put battery in connected pos tryed to connect neg car was turning over without key in car
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Check the positive on the starter as you may have tightened it in the wrong direction touching the terminal on the solenoid to activate the starter

Roy
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SPEACHEY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
Engine Mechanical problem
2003 Pontiac Grand Prix 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 166000 killometers

tried to start my car last night sounded like it was going to turn over but wouldnt start, tried this several times but eventually the starter noise stopped and it would just "click" when attempting to turn over. Jump started it and it turned over and started. But was hesitant. Turned off after letting it idol for a bit, restarted it and it started but was hesitant again, few hour later tried it and it started but again was hesitant. This morning went to try to start it and no start again, again will at 1st sound like it will turn over but eventually wont even turn over, just click. Please help! Was told may be battery, started, selinoid or alternator?
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
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Welcome to the forum, I'd take the battery off and have it charged. Also, check battery connections. With the vehicle running, have the charging system tested. The battery needs a full charge before you can diagnose anything.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SPEACHEY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for your prompt response to my inquiry, I will check these out tonight,

but I also wanted to mention that the lights, radio, heat everything works when I turn my key over. Even after it doesnt crank anymore and just clicks.

Also sometimes when I start my car it will idle up & down a few times before idle'n normal. And a few months ago my check engine light came on I took to the dealer$hip & they said something about wanting to do a smoke test to determine if there is a problem, with a seal or valve leaking? I dont know exactly. But they reset the check engine light & it hasnt come back on.
I didnt know if this would also be a factor to the same problem i'm having with it not starting?

Thanks!
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
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Also, watch the headlites or some other lite, when you turn key to start. The lites should react if there is a load on the starter circuit.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LILJESSEE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 120,000 MILES
When I try to crank the car, it doesn't turn over and makes a loud clicking noise, kind of like a dead battery but not like one I've ever heard. So I install a new starter and that doesn't work. So I lean towards the battery or alternator. I replace the old battery with a brand new one and that didn't make a difference either. Now I'm stuck and out of ideas.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
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I'm more of a dinosaur vehicle guy, old jeeps and fords are my thing

.............other than a possible anti-theft thing going on (which i don't know if yours has this feature or not)

If that's not the case..........this is the problem i see all of the time....in any vehicle....new or old..............see my link and the pics at the bottom of it

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

Return back to this post......bearing good news!!!

The medic
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MADMIKE1735
  • MECHANIC
  • 951 POSTS
The clicking noise you describe sounds to me like the starter. I understand you just replaced it. 1st thing, turn the engine over by putting a socket and ratchet on the crank pulley. Verify the engine isnt seized. Then double check the tightness of your battery cable to the starter. Have the battery tested and verify its good. Let me know the results.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MADMIKE1735
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I know you changed the battery, but still have it tested. Ive seen new batterys that were no good.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LILJESSEE
  • MEMBER
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@CJ MEDEVAC: I am almost positive that it is the anti theft system. But I am not sure where to look or where to start or what to look for to fix this problem. I had issues with it a while back with the security. Supposedly, I was using the wrong key and it locked down. Lol. After weighing out all my options, I figured that's gotta be what it is! So. What should I do to get started on this Anti-Theft Project!
@madmike1732: I will give this a try but I'm pretty sure the engine isnt seized because when I try to crank it, I can clearly see (it lift and go back to starting position) the pulley move. So I figured if the engine had shut down, then none of that would move at all. Right!
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
Not real up on this kinda thing.....i'm sorta carbureted

I did a "question search" at the bottom of the page....stuck in your car and anti-theft....this was one of my hits

Http://www.2carpros.com/questions/pontiac-grand-prix-2000-pontiac-grand-prix-anti-theft

i hope the other feller's info is correct in the link

Lemme know if that helps you

The medic
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MADMIKE1735
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If the pulleys move, the engine isnt seized. I just recommended to check so we know were not dealing with a deal horse. Usually a security issue with make the security, or anti-theft light flash in dash.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ELIZA_NORMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130 MILES
Please help I have a 2000 grand prix and when I go to start it will turn over but it will not stay running unless I keep my foot on the gas as soon as I let off it dies my friend looked at it and he said it might be the idle air control but we replaced that and and its still doing the same thing
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Do you have a check engine light?
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ELIZA_NORMAN
  • MEMBER
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It hasnt been on
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:24 PM (Merged)

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