Engine Cranking Problems?

If you're positively sure its not the battery and connection to and from the battery. I'd start checking the ignition trigger to the start this guide will show you how.

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

Please run down this guide and report back.

replaced belt on my pontiac grand am and it still wont crank

Cranking is starter action, are you saying the starter won't crank, or it cranks good but won't start?

I replaced the ignition and had a lock smith instal it But car will still not crank. Locksmith was sure this was the problem. spent 264.00 on ignition so cant spend too much more on it. what else could be wrong?

[quote:89d8857617="donconklin"]Electrical problem
1998 Pontiac Grand Am 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 153000 miles
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I replaced the ignition and had a lock smith instal it But car will still not crank. Locksmith was sure this was the problem. spent 264.00 on ignition so cant spend too much more on it. what else could be wrong?[/quote:89d8857617]

is your security light blinking?
if so scan BCM for codes
did you check to start the car in Neutral (checking neutral safety switch )
have you checked the starter
let me know

[quote:5c01173586="BMRFIXIT"][quote:5c01173586="donconklin"]Electrical problem
1998 Pontiac Grand Am 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 153000 miles
----------------------------------------------------------------
I replaced the ignition and had a lock smith instal it But car will still not crank. Locksmith was sure this was the problem. spent 264.00 on ignition so cant spend too much more on it. what else could be wrong?[/quote:5c01173586]

is your security light blinking?
if so scan BCM for codes
did you check to start the car in Neutral (checking neutral safety switch )
have you checked the starter
let me know[/quote:5c01173586]

Thanks for the help.
I checked all the above and no luck. One question the security light stays on all the time. wew checked all the cable connections to the starter and even the ground and still no luck. nuetral safety switch was not problem. Still confused

[quote:1ef58f1447="donconklin"][quote:1ef58f1447="BMRFIXIT"][quote:1ef58f1447="donconklin"]Electrical problem
1998 Pontiac Grand Am 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 153000 miles
----------------------------------------------------------------
I replaced the ignition and had a lock smith instal it But car will still not crank. Locksmith was sure this was the problem. spent 264.00 on ignition so cant spend too much more on it. what else could be wrong?[/quote:1ef58f1447]

is your security light blinking?
if so scan BCM for codes
did you check to start the car in Neutral (checking neutral safety switch )
have you checked the starter
let me know[/quote:1ef58f1447]

Thanks for the help.
I checked all the above and no luck. One question the security light stays on all the time. wew checked all the cable connections to the starter and even the ground and still no luck. nuetral safety switch was not problem. Still confused[/quote:1ef58f1447]


OK ;lets try this
make sure car in park and e brakes on
turn key to on then jump the starter
let me what happen
if car start and run

Pulled into gas station... then care will not start... starter will not engage, no click, no load... Dash lights come on, radio, everything... I believe the starter is fine... suspect neutral safety switch. Fuses are all ok... any other suggestions... your advice is very much appreciated...

Yes, I agree, NSS.

If you can, remove starter and have it bench tested at any autoparts store for free, If OK, then replace NSS.

Starter grounds to block, so make sure starter contact to block is clean of oil and dirt.

you are awesome... very prompt! very appreciated! keep up the great work!

Engine Mechanical problem
1998 Pontiac Grand Am 4 cyl Wheel Drive Type unknown Automatic 98000 miles
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I probably let this go too long, but for a while now my car has had problems starting, expecially after sitting a while=first starts. It almost acted as if it was not getting enough fuel maybe? It would turn over and die. Usually just once and start on the next tun over, especially if I gave it a little gas on the pedal.

Well now it wont start at all tonite.
It turns over just fine, but once it goes to start I hear a almost a vrooom noise and it dies. Once in a while I hear a clunking noise too from the eninge area.

Im afraid im going to have to get it towed to a shop, I'll give a try again in the morning, but in mean time anyone have an idea on what may be wrong?

sensor? pump? something?

I had fuel filter replaced and the injectors cleaned about 4 months ago and 2 months ago to try to solve the initial problem I described.

Thanks

Well, update on my situation. Not very good either. Had mechanic check it out, they replaced starter and ignition coil housing and spark plugs- i guess they were arcing and shorting out??.

Still having major problems with it though, its missing badly when running, supposedly its the pcm?? the computer needs to be replaced and reprogrammed.

Had to have it towed from repair shop to a dealer for this, where parts will be on order for it tomorrow supposedly.

i have a 97 pontiac that will turn over but wont crank and with the car turn on wont let me put it into gear

When it doesn't start, check to see if the engine is getting spark and fuel. As far as the park lock issue, make sure the brake lights are working. The solenoid that release it from park is powered by the brake light switch. If it is bad, it won't come out of park.

Computer problem
1997 Pontiac Grand Am 6 cyl Automatic 106000 miles

I have a 97 Grand Am SE. I believe that the passlock system has activated itself and will not allow me to start the car. The battery is good and everything in the car works but it will not even attempt to crank when I turn the key! How do you bypass or reset the passlock system? I tried the 10 min thing and it didn't work. the theft system light still remains on ! My year doesn't have the chip in the key! PLEASE HELP ME!!!!

THANKS

Passlock is an injector disable, shouldn't have anything to do with the starter cranking. You need to make sure the battery has a full charge and the battery cables/wires are clean and tight on both ends.

Have you tried cranking it in neutral?

1997 GRAND AM
78,000 MILES
2.3 LTR 4CYL QUAD 4

The car has stop many time butthis time it just wont crank.
we checked the fuel rail and pressure. It ok. we ues a nod the signals to the injuctors. no light.
we checked the two coils is ok. we checked the module it is ok.

we notice that the thief light stays on when the switch is turn on. after a while all lights goes off but the thief light stays on but not blinking. does this light goes off after the switch stays on?

Turn over great but wont crank? cranks but wont start? If the anti-theft is having a problem is it the original key or a copy? Put key in ignition and crank the engine, let the key return to "on" position (dash lit up) leave on for 15 minutes and the "theft" light should go out. Turn key off and then try to start it again, that should reset the anti-theft to the key

Hello,
I have a problem with my 1997 pontiac grand am GT 3100 V6. When i turn the key i can hear a clicking osund but the car wont crank. I replaced the starter and got it checked out. the new starter was put in, the connections were wire brushed and shiny. Then I was told that the timing chain could be off. I replaced both the timing chain and gears, i held the shafts to pervent them from spinning and possibly dropping the rods. I returned the timing to top dead center and replaced the fender and all the parts. the water pump also needed to be replaced. I still have the same problem. I replaced the battery also and still it clicks. The motor isnt seized. and the electrical system is messed up im sure (hazards dont work, turn signals are opposite) I would appreciate any help i could get. Thank you, W. Weber

[quote:cb261a098d="weweber"]Engine problem
1997 Pontiac Grand Am 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 162000 miles
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Hello,
I have a problem with my 1997 pontiac grand am GT 3100 V6. When i turn the key i can hear a clicking osund but the car wont crank. I replaced the starter and got it checked out. the new starter was put in, the connections were wire brushed and shiny. Then I was told that the timing chain could be off. I replaced both the timing chain and gears, i held the shafts to pervent them from spinning and possibly dropping the rods. I returned the timing to top dead center and replaced the fender and all the parts. the water pump also needed to be replaced. I still have the same problem. I replaced the battery also and still it clicks. The motor isnt seized. and the electrical system is messed up im sure (hazards dont work, turn signals are opposite) I would appreciate any help i could get. Thank you, W. Weber[/quote:cb261a098d]


did you try to start by bypassing the wiring system
just jump the starter terminals
check the wiring and N/S switch.

check for a good ground on engine and starter

I have a 97 Grand Am that I have just replaced the starter and solenoid. After install it will not turn over. It cranks but that is it. I have tried to re install it but same result

Do below:

**Cranks but no start condition:

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem,Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if so, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,coil's resistances,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.

I just replaced the water pump, and heater core and thermostat. The car was sitting all winter, and was just fixed. It was chugging a little but ran fine. Then it acted like it ran out of gas but there was a quarter of a tank left in it. It turns over but will not spark. Any idea of what the problem might be.

Check fuel pressure with mechanical gauge to test port on fuel rail. If OK, then check spark.

Generally, if you leave a car sitting for longer than a month, you need to put a gasoline stabilizer in tank to prevent varnish from building up.

First thought fuel pump was bad..wasnt...then got car started and while driving it would act like it quit firing on 3 cylinders n wouldnt run over 20 mph...then drove to work when i went to leave it wouldnt turn over..tried to load in trailer and wont shift from park..had battery tested and it is fine..so r my fuses...any help u can give wiuld b greatly appreciated

First, what made you believe fuel pump was bad, and how didn't you find out it wasn't. Whatever tests you may have already don't will help me narrow down possible causes.
Also, are there any warning lights on the dash, specifically the check engine light? If so, that is where you should begin because having the computer scanned will point you in the right direction.
There are several possible causes for your car to run rough/misfire. It could be as simple as bad gas to as complicated as an ECU malfunction. If there's no trouble codes stored in your computer, begin your diagnosis with by checking that there's no water in the gas. Next check the basics like the spark plugs, air/fuel filters, etc.
If all of those are new, then you'll need to check that fuel pressure is good and that the ignition system is in good shape.
The fuel system consists of the pump, filter, regulator, lines, injectors and wiring/connectors. Check each component thoroughly.
The ignition system consists of the coils, spark plugs/wires and wiring/connectors.
Don't forget the ECU and sensors which tell control both systems. If a crank/cam sensor is faulty, you'll have a random misfire that will cause the symptoms you described as well.

all electrical works but will not turn engine over. fil jumped pass ignition and it still wont turn over no response from ignition please help mils car

If the battery and connection are good and engine will not crank over your possibilities here could could be the starter, starter relay, park and neutral switch/clutch switch and ignition switch.

RE: Pontiac Grand Am SE V6 with 150400 mi. My car has an Anti-theft issue which I have been able to re-set successfully until now. Now my car sounds like it is not getting any gas and wont turn over, but when I turn it off then back on it gets a tiny bit of gas but not enough to turn it over. IS THIS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP? OR AM i BEING DUPED BY THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION? OR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT?

Is your security light on solid or flashing?

It is intermittent, sometimes it flashes 5 times and stops and then I try to start it again and it works sometimes. but other times I can't get even that to work so I purposely make it flash constant and leave it on for 10 min like it said to in the manual, and usually I can get it to start. but now it even sounds different when I try to start it, like it's not getting any fuel. I appreciate any help or advice.
Thank you.

Sounds like you have a security malfunction the first thing you need to do is take it to a auto parts store and have them read your code's.Let me know if you any codes if you do then let me know the exact code numbers and we will go from there.

I would do that but like I said I can't get it started now at all.

I have a 96 quad 4 grand am. It was running fine except the headlights were not working. While driving down the road the warning lights all started making a clicking noise and flashing on and off randomly. At the same time the car was acting like it had gas then didn't but would still accelerate slowly up to speed. When I turned the car off it would not crank. It now cranks but will not turnover. Do you have any ideas. I made a donation before becoming registered sorry confusing website. Thanks for any help you can give, Mark.

Hey Mark,

I guess you need to go back to basics on this and find out what of 3 basic needs for combustion are missing-compression, spark and or fuel.

The quad 4 was a funny motor that isn't so funny. A real common problem for these is the coil housing that causes lack of spark. Typically it would still runm just rough.

I don't see the headlights being related to the no start. You can put a fuel pressure gauge on it and see if the pressure is in spec when cranking. IT would possibly be helpful to pull the codes from the computer and list them.

Say the timing is the missing link. IF the water pump seized and stopped the motor from turning, it would also stop the alternater on the other side from turning, giving the light issue and the no crank. If for whatever reason, the starter was able to overcome the bound up waterpump, turned the motor over, but the pump came apart at this time, the increased slack in the chain causes a timing issue that it no longer starts. If this was true you might see coolant leaking, but maybe not.

Give this a try to at least to get it started so you can get your codes read.
Key on, bump to start, set for 10 min. until security light quits flashing..Repeat 2 more times..may want to put charger on low to keep battery from running down.(then you have to start all over)
Let me know what happens.

WELL THE SECURITY LIGHT IS NOT FLASHING...I CHARGED THE BATT. AND THE CAR TURNED OVER BUT DID NOT START AT ALL, THEN WE JACKED UP THE REAR OF THE CAR AND TURNED THE KEY ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES. NO SOUNDS WERE COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP ANY LONGER, SO WE CHECKED THE BLEEDER VALVE IN THE ENGINE AND TURNED THE KEY ON AND NO FUEL CAME OUT OF IT EITHER. AM i TO ASSUME THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS NOW NOT WORKING EITHER?

The security only shuts down the injector pulse not the pump itself.You will have to check the solid black wire to the pump for a constant ground.Then check the gray wire to the pump it should have battery power for a few seconds when turn the key in the run position or constant power while cranking the engine over.Let e know what you find.