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Starter not working

Tiny
CHAFALOTE
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET LUMINA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 96,000 MILES
I have a 2001 chevy lumina that I started having problems, sometimes when I turn the key it wont start. Battery is good, I was thinking maybe the ignition switch.
Friday, September 10th, 2010 AT 3:27 PM

32 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Is it cranking over and will not start or just won't crank at all/nothing when you turn key to starting position?
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Friday, September 10th, 2010 AT 3:50 PM
Tiny
CHAFALOTE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It won't crank i'ts like if the battery was dead, you have to try several times before it starts.
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Friday, September 10th, 2010 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be one of the following: the starter, starter relay,park and neutral switch and ignition switch assuming the battery and connections are good.

Heres a guide that will help you narrow it down

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair
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Friday, September 10th, 2010 AT 7:10 PM
Tiny
CHAFALOTE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Do I have to remove wheel or air bag to replace switch ( electrical part ) and how hard is it to replace.
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Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
DORATHEEXPLORER
  • MECHANIC
  • 46 POSTS
  • 1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA
Electrical problem
1991 Chevy Lumina 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I've got a 1991 Lumina. When I try to start the car, it starts to crank for like a second, then blows a fuse under the hood, then nothing. Any ideas? Please help.
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Which fuse is it blowing? May be a bare wire running to that fuse that is earthing, causing fuse to blow. If that specific fuse is needed for vehicle to start, this would be the reason for no start.

Post the fuse component and the condition of the wiring and I will follow up.

Thanks for using 2CarPros. Com !
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DORATHEEXPLORER
  • MECHANIC
  • 46 POSTS
OK, got it home and pulled out the 10amp ecm fuse. Put in a 15 amp and car starts everytime. It was suggested that the fan relays may be causing the fuse to blow. The only relays in this fuse box are the fan relays. No visible bare wires.
New problem. Car is on; when I turn on the headlights the headlight warning dinger remains on? No doors are open. There are alot of fuses and relays and dingers under the passenger side of the car where the sound is coming from; can't narrow it down. The only thing I can read is AC relays. Got maybe a diagram & explanation for this area?
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Okay, if your ECM fuse is what keeps blowing then you definitely have a short somewhere. Do the interior lights and/or door ajar light come on when the headlights ding? It could be one of your door ajar switches in the door jamb that is shorting out causing these problems. Try spraying WD-40 or equivalent light oil in the door jambs and see if it temp. Fixes the headlight dinging. Can't seem to find diagram of that specific area right now but I will continue to look and ask around and get back with you on that.

Thanks for using 2CarPros. Com !
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DORATHEEXPLORER
  • MECHANIC
  • 46 POSTS
No indicator lights or interior light comes on. I checked the door jamb switches and they seemed fine. So, the 15 amp fuse in place of the original 10 amp is obviously a temporary fix? Is it going to hurt/blow-up anything by leaving the 15 amp in there? Really appreciate your help and your prompt responses. Thanks
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Okay. Well it may be connected to your headlight switch itself then. Replacing a fuse with a larger Amp fuse is never a good idea. The fuse is blowing to prevent a fire/damage to components so if you replace that fuse with a larger fuse then it will not be able to blow out as easy and could cause a fire/damage. 5 Amps isn't really much but then again, I wouldn't risk it.

I have another tech coming to help out here so just hang in there and we will get you fixed up best we can.

Thanks for using 2CarPros. Com!
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DORATHEEXPLORER
  • MECHANIC
  • 46 POSTS
Yeah, the dinger thing is weird. All of the lights work properly on the car; interior & exterior. It's just the noise that won't silence. As far as the fuse, I know it's a bad idea. Had to do what I had to do; ya know. Again, the only relays in this fuse box are the fan relays, and no visible bare wires. I plan on selling the car but don't want to hand over this headache to some un-suspecting soul.
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVEF73
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA
Engine Performance problem
1997 Chevy Lumina 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

my 97 lumina will turn over but not start. It just happened. And it was very recent. We did fill up with Arco gas, and ran it until about a 1/4 tank left. It sat overnight and then would not start. Checked several things. First put in good quality fuel and a bottle of HEET into the gas tank. No start. Then replaced spark plugs. No start. Then sprayed starting fluid into the carberator. Tried starting it and after a few tries it worked. It ran for about a week or 2 then wouldnt start again. Sprayed the carberator again with starting fluid and it worked. Changed the fuel filter as a precaution, thought the old one was still good. Then went on a trip (about 200 miles round trip) on the way back filled up at a Chevron. Got home and the next morning it wont start. Sprayed more starting fluid and this time it did not work. Took out the IAC and cleaned it. Reinstalled it, but still wont start. Put in a little more starting fluid into the carb, and it sputtered and tried to start, but as of now it wont start. I bought a Chilton manual, but still an frustrated. Seems the first time it happened is when we got ARCO gas. Before that no problems. This has been over the course of about a month.
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi DoratheExplorer,

Just want to confirm a few things.

Does the warning chime comes on ONLY when headlights are ON? With or without ignition switch ON or engine running?

The ECM fuse in underhood left electrical center is rated as 20 A, item # 1 in diagram. It is also for the fuel pump and since you have a 10 A fuse, it would blow as it does nt have the capacity to run the fuel pump for extended eriods.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_FuseBox91Lumina02_1.jpg

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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Can you get the fuel pressure checked? When it won't start do you hear the pump hum?
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DORATHEEXPLORER
  • MECHANIC
  • 46 POSTS
Would you possibly have a fuse diagram, (under the hood on passenger side of vehicle) for a 91 Lumina. I want to make sure I have the right fuse. I may have gotten it wrong. As for the lights, dinger sounds when headlights are turned on with & without car running.
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVEF73
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes the pump does hum like it should. Pretty sure its getting gas. I tried again today to start it. I started by spraying start fluid into the carb. Then tried to turn it over. It sputtered. But that was that. It wont start again. I also took the spark plugs out to see if it was getting spark. I could feel and smell oil on the plug so im not sure what to make of this one.
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DORATHEEXPLORER
  • MECHANIC
  • 46 POSTS
Here's apicture of the fuse box (passenger side, under hood). The fuse that keeps blowing is the distributor fuse (10amp). Also, could you tell me what all the other fuses to the right are for. There are 3 60amp & 3 30amp. The one that's x'd out says fuel pump relay, but it's empty and the fuel pump/ecm relay is actually on the drivers side of the car. Figured out the dinger noise. Was simply a fuse in the glove box panel. DUH!
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Pull the vacuum line off the fuel pressure regulator any fuel in hose or regulator?
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
I could not see any diagram and have instead posted 1 with the identifications.

Let me know which fuse is blowing and I will try to get the details.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_FuseBox91Lumina01_2.jpg




https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_FuseBox91Lumina01a_1.jpg

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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVEF73
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I did more checking and reading through the Chilton manual. Then my girlfriend suggested that I call around to local auto shops and attempt to pick their brains.
I called one and they said no way. No advice on the phone. Then the second one was very nice and we had a good convo. On the car. He finally suggested the course of action to take is to replace the ignition control module. And if I can score them the coil packs as well. I am planning to call around to see if I can find an ICM at wrecking yards where I can pull it myself. And see if that is the issue. I am 90% sure im getting fuel. I did the spark test and saw that I was not getting spark.
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Monday, June 24th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)

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