Our Community is 940,000 Strong. Join Us.


02 no start no turning over nothing lights work


GT57
04-04-2013, 06:52 PM
Just to catch you up.

March 13 2013
Started this morning started when son left school. Went to start just now and nothing. Turn key no clicking, just nothing but dash all coming on and can hear like the relay for fuel.


Lights appear bright, headlights (http://www.pontiacforum.com/pontiac/showthread.php?t=29661#), turn, dome, dash etc.

Tried putting in N instead of P just to see. Nothing.

Would the starter and solenoid act like this? No clicking or warning, just out.

Just looking for ideas.

March 14
Today went out to push it in the barn. Thought why not try and start. It did. Pulled in barn to test.

Battery shows right and alternator charging shows right when checked.

Took about 4 tries but it finally didnt start again once in barn. Lights do not dim and volt reading doesn't drop from trying to start. Right now it is not starting again.

If not starter/solenoid. Where to now?

I was messing with a relay under the hood (http://www.pontiacforum.com/pontiac/showthread.php?t=29661#) on drivers side panel, also messing with neutral safety switch (http://www.pontiacforum.com/pontiac/showthread.php?t=29661#) on the trans.

I'm not thinking they are the problem http://www.pontiacowners.com/pontiac/images/smilies/confused.gif not sure though, because.

IF I turn the key to start back and forth fast sometimes on the 5th try it will start.

So you think it might be the ignition switch (http://www.amazon.com/s/?keywords=ignition%20switch&index=automotive) with that extra info? Just this part Ignition Lock Cylinder (http://www.pontiacforum.com/pontiac/showthread.php?t=29661#)?

What about Ignition Control Module (ICM)

OK this stuff is all new to me so bear with me. This thing? http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/de...cid=productads (http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/details/QQPontiacQQSunfireQQReplacementQQIgnition_SwitchQQ 2002QQREPB506201.html?apwcid=productads)

March 15 still no start.
Replaced the ignition switch, still nothing.

Replaced the starter relay, nothing.


Looked at headlights while trying to start, no change.

Put tester on battery again and watched it while key was turning to try and start.

I didnt think starter before because of lights not dimming and volt not dropping before.

What do you think now? solenoid and starter?

March 15 it started
I just tried something. Even though security theft light has never been on (as in staying on) or stayed on before or anything. I started thinking maybe it needs to be reset with new ignition switch.

So I tried this. Turn to run and all light come on and when the security theft light went off I allowed another 30 seconds or so. Then went right back to off and then right to start. It started and has every time since.

Does this make since to anyone or did I just get lucky or what?

16 March
Worked flawless all day today, 1st try every time. Still leary though.

4 April
Worked flawless every start till just now 4/4/13 since last fix noted above.

Whatever it is reared it's ugly head again today or something else. Same symptoms as before. http://www.pontiacowners.com/pontiac/images/smilies/confused.gif


So wondering neutral safety switch or what else to look at now too.


Watcha think?

aleekat
04-05-2013, 12:42 AM
When it doesn't start, jumper directed across the starter..if it does, suspect neutral switch or ignition switch..

GT57
04-05-2013, 12:54 PM
Sorry about all the hyperlinks that came with the copy and pasting old post. They weren't shown when I hit submit.

Anyhow go out to the barn to push the car in. So I try and start it. Starts right up. Pulled it inside and put a code reader on it just in case. Nothing.

So I started it about 8 different times at different intervals. Started every time. :confused:

The theft security light works like normal and has never blinked on and off etc. I was thinking something to do with that maybe. But I am clueless.

:2cents: Ideas, because I'm scared that my boy is going to end up stuck somewhere sometime.

Tech II
04-05-2013, 08:28 PM
March 13 2013
Started this morning started when son left school. Went to start just now and nothing. Turn key no clicking, just nothing but dash all coming on and can hear like the relay for fuel.

Tried putting in N instead of P just to see. Nothing.

Would the starter and solenoid act like this? No clicking or warning, just out.

Just looking for ideas.

Well, it's one of two things.....either the starter/solnoid, or the circuit that powers it.....


March 14
Today went out to push it in the barn. Thought why not try and start. It did. Pulled in barn to test.

Battery shows right and alternator charging shows right when checked.

Took about 4 tries but it finally didnt start again once in barn. Lights do not dim and volt reading doesn't drop from trying to start. Right now it is not starting again.

If not starter/solenoid. Where to now?

To eliminate the starter/solenoid, you have to check for power on the purple wire into the solenoid, with the key in the crank position....if there is power, you need a new starter....if there isn't, the circuit has to be checked....

I was messing with a relay under the hood on drivers side panel, also messing with neutral safety switch on the trans.

I'm not thinking they are the problem not sure though, because.

The P/N switch and the "CRANK" relay are parts of the starter circuit....they have to be checked out....one thing you can do is put your finger on the CRANK relay to "feel" it click when the key is in the crank position.....

IF I turn the key to start back and forth fast sometimes on the 5th try it will start.

So you think it might be the ignition switch with that extra info? Just this part Ignition Lock Cylinder?

It's possible....it's easy to check....attach a test light to the crank fuse....should be off....it should only light when the key is in the crank position....if it doesn't crank, and you have power, you know it;s not the ignition switch....

What about Ignition Control Module (ICM)

The ICM has nothing to do with the starter circuit.....



March 15 still no start.
Replaced the ignition switch, still nothing.

Replaced the starter relay, nothing.

Lot's of parts replaced, needlessly.....

Have you tried swopping the crank relay with another relay of the same number? Does the relay click with the key in the crank position? If it does, but the car does not crank, it's either the relay or a connection in the fuse block.

GT57
04-06-2013, 06:04 PM
Finally closure.

Started the car about 20 plus times before it finally done it again today and wouldnt start. While my dad was in town I had him help me test it.

1. I checked all the connections to ignition and sensor. Checked the same to neutral switch. Seemed all good
2. checked power to crank relay and clicking too. Seemed all good
3. check for power to the solenoid. good too
4. still no start. tried tapping on solenoid with small hammer while key was in start position. BINGO car started.

Replaced starter and solenoid. Good to go.

Starter solenoid was what I was hoping it was in beginning, but being it would start after setting over night that had threw me off.

Thanks for the ideas and I learned alot on stuff I didnt know about.

Add your comment to this topic!