1996 Chevy Lumina Is it the starter?

CHYNNABABY74

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
18,600 MILES

MY 1996 CHEVY LUMINA WILL NOT START WHEN I TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. IT DOES NOT MAKE A NOISE AT ALL. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD COME ON AND THE HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE BRIGHT. THE RADIO ALSO COMES ON. MY MECHANIC BELIEVED IT WAS THE STARTER SO HE PUT IN A NEW ONE. NEVERTHELESS THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING, BUT THE NOW THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH THE OTHER LIGHTS AND BLINKS. COULD THIS BE THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT IS KEEPING MY CAR FROM STARTING

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,700 POSTS

Hi:
It could be the switch or the starter relay. However, if the security light is coming on, I think that is where your problem lies. Does your key have a small transister in it? If so, do you have another key you could try? If so, try it and let me know if there is any change. If it has to do with the security system, to the best of my knowledge only a dealer will be able to help you.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 AT 7:54 PM

CHYNNABABY74

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I would have to purchase a new key from the dealer. I called the dealer and asked if a new key would remedy the problem. The dealership stated that the key probably wouldnt help and that I needed a passcode sensor. I really dont trust dealerships with diagnosing cars because in my opinion they hike up the price dramatically. Is there anyway that a regular mechanic would be able to do the passcode sensor?

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Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 AT 7:53 AM

RENAUDTN

MECHANIC
636 POSTS

What happen is your system does not read the resistance in your key anymore. It seems that you can actually trick the system by installing a permanent resistor in your system.
Go to the following link, it is a very cool site from someone who struggled with the same problem. it will explain everything and how to fix your problem:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/mitchell1eautorepair-car-repair-manuals

Good luck and let me know if you successfully fix it.

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Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 AT 11:15 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,700 POSTS

Hi: The dealer may coluld be correct about just the key, but I'm confident that the problem deals with the security system. Check out the web page from renaudTN. I looked at it and it's interesting. See if anything there can help you.

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Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 AT 3:50 PM

CHYNNABABY74