2003 Pontiac Grand Am starter malfunction

CHIBBIGIRL

MEMBER
2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
70,000 MILES

My car will not start even though I have electrical and a good battery. I had to replace my starter last Spring due to water damage from flash flooding on my street from a rapid snow melt. It sounds just like that.A single click when I turn the ignition. There is no moan and groan as in a low battery. My son was sitting at a stop light in heavy traffic and his knee hit the keys and turned the car off while in gear. He turned it back on and the service engine light came on. We pulled off and turned the car off and then restarted it without incident and proceded on to Chicago and back home. Today, it will not start. Did he inadvertantly damage the starter?

1 Reply

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

I doubt he damaged the starter. Check the starter connections, make sure they are tight. If you hear a click, then the starter or connections to it are suspect. If you hear nothing, then the park/neutral safety switch is suspect.

Make sure battery post connections are tight and starter mounting bolts are tight, since starter is grounded to block.