intermittent starting problem

[arant]

I have a 98 Oldsmobile Regency with an intermittent starting problem. It first started on hot days after my wife left work coming home, and made a stop at the store. When she came out it would not turn over. All electric seemed to be working, AC, windows, seat, radio, but would not turn over. After about 5-10 minutes it fried up. This would happen about once a week, then maybe ever other day. We took it to the shop twice, and got the battery replaced and the starter relay replaced. This morning it wouldn't start. Later it fired up with out a problem, I drove it around. Turned it off then back on, no problem. This afternoon drove to pickup my daughter from work. The car sat for about 45 minutes while I waited, then would not start. After about 10 minutes of trying it fired up and ran fine.
Any one got any ideas what may be happening?

[GMMerlin]

Sounds like a starter.

You can hook up a test light to the starter S terminal (purple wire) when the vehicle is acting up. If the test light lights but the starter doesn't turn..then replace the starter.

[arant]

I don't know what they did, but the service manager told me the starter test ok. The problem is having the car not start while they are checking it out. It doesn't do it consistently, and after 5-10 minutes it starts up.

[GMMerlin]

The way this circuit works is when you turn the key to the start position, 12volts is sent from the ignition switch yellow wire to the starter enable relay. The Passkey module if it recieves the proper Passkey password will enable the starter enable relay to close by applying 12 volts to the coil side of the relay through the PNP switch (park/neutral switch on the trans). When the relay closes, 12 volts is applied to the starter via the purple wire at the starter.


SO..........if the car acts up and won't turn over, you can check to see if the circuit to the starter is energized by testing for voltage at the starter. if your test lamp lights, but the engine will not spin..most likely cause is the starter is bad....But if the test lamp does not light, then your problem might be in the Passlock system or the PNP switch.

Has your dealer checked for anycodes pertaining to the Passlock system or have you noticed the Security lamp staying lit or flashing when this happens?

[rkujawa]

I am having what appears to be the same problem. I just posted this question in the Silouette section. Did you ever solve the problem?

[arant]

It was the security system Had to replace the ignition switch and get a new key.

[blackdad2001]

I had the same problem with my 91 Tornado Trofeo and it was the ignition switch and the key needed to be replaced as well.

[DWM]

I seem to have the same issues. Are these keys special keys? On my Achieva the key does not have anything for security. When the cars starts fine the extra key made at Walmart works fine. Still looking for the fix.

Don

[arant]

my key has a chip in it. It all had to do with the security system. The hand book for the car actually discribed the delay, if the system thought the wrong key was being used.

[auto trainy]

Do yourself a favor and replace the switch and keys,I did on my 98 regency and the problem went away.

[auto trainy]

Forgot to mention (only use delco parts)