95 Geo Prizm Won't Start

[homeskillet9000]

When I put my key into the ignition and turn it, the car won't start. It won't even attempt to crank. The strange thing is that this doesn't always happen. Four out of five times the car will start. I've had the battery and alternator checked, and they were both fine. The starter was replaced about 4 years ago so I don't see it going bad already. If I keep trying to start it or if I come back and try it again after an hour or two, it will eventually start. The car was been doing this for about six months, and refuses to start on cold and warm days, but lately has not been starting more often. I don't know what the problem could be. Any advice?

[bluemanop]

I know someone with a 94 Geo Prizm with the same problem. This issue seem to come around after an alternator problem, which was replaced. The car wants to start sometimes and then other times it doesn't even crank.

The car was taken to the dealer and they stated some crap about a old battery and replaced it. Which did nothing to resolve the problem.

I am suspecting maybe a bad ground, possible starter issue or dying coil.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this problem?

[myproblem]

Starter I would believe would be your problem.

[JoeBlow44]

The contacts on the starter tend to go bad and would cause a problem like this.

Check out this article - It may help.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you...1997_Geo_Prizm

I have a 95 and am working on this right now. This answer should apply to years 93-97.

As many of you probably know, most of the time it goes bad it is not the $150 starter itself, it's the $5 contacts (just hit 80K mi?). Good news is, these are easy to replace ... once the starter is off.

[lingam]

The copper contact plate inside the starter can be flipped over like on the old GM starters and solve a "dead spot" on the starter problem.