Starter trouble

Tiny
JASON BINGENHEIMER
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 3.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I turn the key to start the car and get nothing. The battery is good. Now if I go under the car and jump the starter on the solenoid. But when I do that the car cranks over good but will not start. The key is in run, but it just cranks over and never fires. Any idea what I could be dealing with? If I had a bad relay would the car crank over jumping the starter but not fire?
And ideas would be great.
Thank you.
Friday, November 11th, 2016 AT 2:19 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try resetting security system. see picture on how to do it.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system
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Friday, November 11th, 2016 AT 6:39 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,656 POSTS
Is the security light flashing when you try and crank the car over?

Try putting the transmission in neutral and then crank it, if it cranks over the neutral safety switch is bad.

Please get back to us

Best, Ken
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Friday, November 11th, 2016 AT 10:08 AM
Tiny
JASON BINGENHEIMER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
When I turn the key it flashes. I tried it in neutral and it still did not turn over. I am thinking the security system now. I am going to try to reset it today and see what happens.
Thank you for you comments. I was baffled to what was going on. I will keep you posted on how that goes.
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Saturday, November 12th, 2016 AT 10:44 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,656 POSTS
Sounds good, please let us know so it will help others.

Best, Ken
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Saturday, November 12th, 2016 AT 12:25 PM
Tiny
JASON BINGENHEIMER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Still nothing. Did the battery unhook. Now I am leaving the key in the on position for fifteen and then off back to on. Light is still flashing. I am going to keep trying it though until it works I guess. What a pain that a stupid light could cause so much trouble.
I will keep you posted.
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Saturday, November 12th, 2016 AT 12:56 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If it is still doing that then a mechanic has to see what is wrong with the security system with his scanner.
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Saturday, November 12th, 2016 AT 3:35 PM
Tiny
JASON BINGENHEIMER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Okay, so after a whole day of turn it on wait turn it off. Repeatedly lol.
I got the security system to reboot. I fired right up and all is well in the car word. Until next time that is.
Just want to say thank you to those that helped me with this problem. That is what it was and it fixed me right up
So thank you.

Just one other question. Is there any reason that the security system would do that out of the blue?
It was running fine I stop on my road trip to use the head and then nothing. Just wondering if I did something that could have triggered it, if so is there something I can do so it does not happen again?
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+1
Saturday, November 12th, 2016 AT 5:29 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It is electronic and there is no known reason for this but it happens. Maybe weak battery or dirty terminal ends on battery.
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Sunday, November 13th, 2016 AT 7:39 AM
Tiny
JASON BINGENHEIMER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I figured there was no good reason. I have not even used my key fob since getting it started. I am afraid it will do it again. Lol.
Thanks again.
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Sunday, November 13th, 2016 AT 7:43 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,656 POSTS
Please use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help and tell a friend.

Best, Ken
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Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 AT 3:06 PM

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