Cranks but won't start

Tiny
ODAN46
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
My Alero was driven all day and parked for 5 hours then wouldn't start so I checked fuses, relays and fuel pressure and no power to the fuel pump. II was told that it could be the ignition switch so I changed that and it still just turn's over I didn't have a flashing security light and the driver window won't roll down now are these related in the same manner or does anybody possibly have some information? I did try the reset process with the key switch / no luck. Signed Baffled
Monday, February 11th, 2008 AT 8:16 PM

44 Replies

Tiny
RAPARRY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Try changing the fuel pump relay with the horn relay they should be the same then write back with your results

If the security light is flashing try the procedure below

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system
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Saturday, February 16th, 2008 AT 8:53 PM
Tiny
SNOOFLE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have had problems for over a year with starting my 2002 Alero & have had it towed numerous times, only to be told later that it started fine for the mechanic.

I searched on-line and saw that this was a common problem & noted nearly 20 different solutions proposed. Yet, none of them appeared to be successful, and--like many other owners--I was ready to sell the car.

Well, I have finally solved the mystery & you will be amazed at how simple (and inexpensive!) The solution turns out to be.

Simply detach your car key from all other keys. That's it! For some reason, having additional keys attached somehow interferes with ignition.

This also explains why the damn car would always start for the mechanics--I only left them the single key! (I'd begun to think that the towing process somehow fixed the problem.)

So, give it a try! I sincerely hope that this trick works for all you frustrated Alero owners out there--
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Monday, April 28th, 2008 AT 2:38 PM
Tiny
RYAHIR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
It just happened to me and I solved the problem turning the key to ON and removing the gas pump relay for about 10 seconds and then putting it back, then switched the key back to of and it started fine. Since I did that I haven't have the same problem again.
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Thursday, June 13th, 2013 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
BANJOZACH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
Engine Mechanical problem
2003 Oldsmobile Alero 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 160K miles

2003 Oldsmobile Alero
2 Door
2.2L Ecotek

Ok. My car won't start when its above a certain temperature outside (around 85 or 90 Degrees F). Here is what I know so far:

*The fuel pump is good, however doesn't come on when I turn my key to "On". I know this because my car will run at night when its cool.

*I can turn my key off and on and cannot here the fuel pump kicking in.

*When fuel pump does come on, fuel pressure is great.

*Tried replacing fuel pump relay and PCM. Still no go.

* When it doesn't start, I can also here the fuel pump buzzing like crazy. I have switched relays around (relays I know are good), and they all do the same thing in the fuel pump relay spot.

*If I sit with the doors open for about 15 minutes (allowing the inside of the car to cool down), I can usually get the pump to come on, after cycling the key from off to on a few times.

*Problem is NOT type or level of fuel related. I've been buying the same gas from the same place, as well as other places, and the problem has occured on a full tank, half tank, and quarter tank.

*No engine codes. I've had the best mechanics in town working on this. Plugged in a very nice diagnostic computer, and saw the following while cranking:
*Engine RPMs normal
*Fuel Pump Relay Command is staying off.

Thats the problem right there. My computer isn't telling my fuel pump to come on. The mechanics even put a jumper on my fuel pump and it turned on and the car ran fine. What is causing my computer to not tell my pump relay to not power the pump? I don't think it is a Passlock Problem, as my light on my dash blinks like normal. I have also tried the old "leave the key on for 10 min to reset the security system" trick and still no go. I have even disconnected my battery before and left it for about 10 minutes to reset the computer, and still no go.
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi
Suspect PassLock (security system) sensor problem in ignition. Due to heat related and cycling key. When it won't start see if there is injector pulse.
Let me know
Thanks for donate
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BANJOZACH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
If the Passlock Sensor has a problem, would that cause the Passlock light on my radio to flash in any way but normal? What im trying to say, is that my Anti-Theft light blinks normaly. If I get out of the car, lock it, unlock it, and get back in, the light blinks about every 4 or 5 seconds. Which it has always done that. Will a problem with the Passlock Sensor make the light blink abonormally?

And Ill have my mechanic check for the injector pulse. Its going back to the shop on thursday.

One last thing. Is there any explanation for the noisy fuel pump relay? When the car wont start, the relay buzzes pretty loud.
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Poor ground at pump will cause high amp draw
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SYNTHLIGHT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have the exact same problem. Same year, same model of car. Did you figure out how to fix it? Let me know. My email is initialgdw@gmail. Com

Thanks : )
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PIPEAL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 10,850 MILES
My wife drove the car friday, and saturday it would not start. It crank over but will not start.
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
First of all thank you so much for your donation. Does the security light stay on or flash on the dash?Have you checked for spark or what the fuel pressure is?Let me know.
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BANJOZACH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
My problem seemed to resolve itself. We had the relay out again that week, and it hasnt done it since. The ONLY thing I can think of is possible corrosion in the fuel pump relay terminal. Make sure your relay is good, buy some dielectric grease at your local automotive store (got mine at Autozone), smear it on the relay prongs/contacts, and replace. Personally, I haven't done this, but as long as my car is running, im not going to fool with the relay.
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PIPEAL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The security light flashes.
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/416332_2003_oldsmobile_alero_passlock_sensor_relearn_1.jpg


Alright that why your car won't start your security system is keeping it from starting.When the security system is activated it shuts down your fuel injectors no no gas get's into your engine.Does your key less entry work with the remote's?Here's the problem though your going to have code's in your body control module and to get those code's you need a expensive scanner to read them.The cheaper more common scanner's only read your engine and transmission code's not your body control module code's.Let's do this follow that passlock relearn procedure i posted and see if it start's if it does then you can at least get it to a shop so they can read those code's.Let me know what you find.Also what model alero do you have?
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WALTER LARSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 71,498 MILES
Overnight my car wouldn't start. When you turn the key nothing happens. Replaced the battery and the starter and checked the fuses and the relays, allwere good.
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATHIASO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,209 POSTS
Open the fuel filler neck, have someone start the car.
Let em know if you hear buzing noise from the tank.
Do you hear any click noise under the hood when attempting to start?
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PIPEAL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Lets start off by saying thank you. I did the securty method and the car started right up.I thought this was going to be some kind of scam. I was wrong. Thank you again.
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WALTER LARSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I can't start the car after I open the fuel filler neck, the car won't start. Ther was clicking noise before I replaced the starter.
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Glad to hear your car started But I would like you to have your body control module scanned for code's and the ecm scanned for code's as well. You can't just go to a auto part's store there scan tool's aren't advanced enough to read body control module code's. There''s a good chance that this could happen again and next time your car might not start again at least you can drive your car some where now to have the code's read. Let me know what the code number's are. Better to be safe then sorry.
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WALTER LARSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
My security light blinks when I turn the key.
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATHIASO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,209 POSTS
Security light blinking, car not starting means the computer has disable the fuel system.
Does the security blinks the day before the car couldn't start? I mean the first time?
Or does the security light blink after you replace the battery and starter?
Need more informations.
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Monday, November 12th, 2018 AT 3:59 PM (Merged)

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