Engine will not crank over?

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If its cranking over the starter is doing its job -I say have the anti theft device checked out
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
INTERNETMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 700 POSTS
When the problem occurs, are you saying it cranks good but won't start or it won't even crank? If it won't crank, did you try cranking in neutral? Battery has a full charge and connections are clean and tight? You can check the circuits at the starter relay.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/512072_grandam_gt_starter_relay_1.jpg



I had a security relearn procedure right in front of me, went to look at something else, now, I can't find it again? Try to start vehicle, if security lite is on or flashing, leave the key on, see if lite will go out, may take 10 minutes or so, then cycle the key to off, try to restart.
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
REDBONE65
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 139,000 MILES
I have a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am. My car won't start unless I get a jump. No lights come on either. My battery is a few months old. Is this my alternator causing the problem or wires?
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PROTECH1980
  • MEMBER
  • 901 POSTS
Have charging system checked and battery load tested.
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PROTECH1980
  • MEMBER
  • 901 POSTS
Once car is started, take a meter and measure voltage across batt. Terminals, should be near 14 volts, if it isnt, the charging system is not working, if it is working, take the battery in and have it load tested, if battery is ok, you may have a draw that is draining the batt. Overnight. In this case you would have to perform a battery draw test.
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KACI8996
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
I have a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am and about two weeks ago it would not start. I thought it may have been the battery, so I had a relative give me a jump to see if my car would crank. It started and then immediately died. Being that it died so quickly, we figured it was the battery and purchased a new battery. The new battery was installed and the car immediately started. It cranked a few times was driven around that same day and then when I attempted to crank it for about the fifth time that day, it would not crank. I thought the cell in the battery may have been no good so I took the battery back and had it replaced under the warranty. The new battery has done the exact same thing. The car cranked a few times and now it will not. I have been told it may be my alternator. However, I took the car to Auto Zone and they ran a test on my alternator and I was informed that my alternator is fine. I do not know what is going on and I need my car. Can someone please tell me what may be the issue? I am at my whits end and cannot seem to find out what is wrong with my car at all.
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
Your car has all the symptoms of an alternator that isn't charging for one reason or another. I think I would have the charging system tested someplace other than autozone. Those guys aren't techs, just parts salesman.

I assume you are having these problems during the day when the car is being used. If this issue is showing up first thing in the morning after the car has been parked all night, then you need to test for a parasitic draw on the battery from something not shutting off.
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JRIOS33
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
Car was running fine recently then one day after being ran for about 30 minutes around town I got in it and turned the key but absolutely nothing was happening. Battery was tested at 100%, then the starter tested bad so I replaced it. Still nothing. Fuses look fine and I don't think it's the ignition switch because all the warning lights come on.
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
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Hello,

It could be your alarm or the starter has gone out here are guides to help you fix the problem

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

and

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

Please run down these guides and report back.
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+1
Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MANDAHME
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM
My 2004 Pontiac Grand Am with 46,000 miles has decided it won't start. About a month ago after getting gas the engine wouldnt turn over, nor make any effort to start at all. All the lights and radio and power windows and such worked. We had it towed to the dealer and they said that it was just a loose connection to the computer and that they were only going to charge us for the diagnostic test since they barely did anything to it. Tonight after being in the grocery store for about an hour it did the same thing. I really don't want to have to pay another $200 to have the darn thing towed and have another diagnostic test only for it to be something really easy to fix. Has anyone ever heard of something like this before? Is it possible that I may be able to juggle some wire somewhere to make the connection better. Thank you very much
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MVANNESSJR
  • MECHANIC
  • 223 POSTS
$200 for a tow? You should get AAA -- $51 a year covers your towing needs. :Wink:

As for the jiggling a wire issue, if it has anything to do with the ECU again, well that is behind the dashboard on your vehicle.

Check the battery connection. It is unusual in all the cases I have worked on to have a problem like this with such a new vehicle. Do you not have a warranty on it?
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JULIETTE97
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 199,000 MILES
So my car wouldn’t start. Got AAA to put a new battery in and still wouldn’t start. Was able to jump and take it to the shop. Mechanics say there’s nothing wrong they can find with the starter, alternator or anything and that it’s starting fine for them? The only thing that needs replaced is my serpentine belt, which I agreed to do. What could it be or was is it just a one time thing?
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,204 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like you have a bad spot in the starter motor which can pop up from time to time. I would check all battery connection and then replace the starter motor here is a guide with diagrams below to show you on your car. Use AC Delco starters

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOLFAN13JMB
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 10,000 MILES
The car will turn over strong and is not starting.

I have put gas in this car.

I have hooked it up with jumper cables to another car running.

I also sprayed starting fluid into the breather while turning the engine over.

It will turn the engine over strong, and try to start, but it will not run.

The car has always cranked without hesitation before now.
Can you give me your opinion, and some more test to try?
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
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Hello, put a gage on it, check fuel pressure. I'd probably double-check for spark at the plugs. Can you check for codes?
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CANADIANGUY71
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
Engine Performance problem
2003 Pontiac Grand Am Front Wheel Drive Automatic

When I go to start the car, all lights turn on, and it chugs but just doesnt have that extra "UMPTFF" to fully turn over and on. Do u know what the issue might be?

Derek
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
Is it starting and immediately shutting off?

Is the security light on or flashing when you try to start it?
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GREGS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
2003 Grand am won't crank when you hit the starter. Not a dead battery, as all electrical remains on when I hit the key. Starter doesn't even click. I shorted the starter with a wrench, and it turned over just fine, but did not start.
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Suspect problem is ignition switch. Check small solenoid wire on starter when key in start is there voltage on wire?
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Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
There are number of possible causes including the neutral safety switch, ignition switch, starter relay and a couple of fuses and it all has to be checked out.
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+2
Friday, July 31st, 2020 AT 9:56 AM (Merged)

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