1994 3.1L GP Not turning over; battery good

[FaceEater]

So, the harsh Midwest winter took its toll on my baby, and I'm livid.

To the point, the 94 GP 3.1L won't turn over. Tried to start it in extreme cold weather (without heating block) and it was cranking strong, and then the idle would shoot up to 3000 RPMs in park, and screamed and whined all the way.

Dropping it into 1st, idle would drop instantly, and it functioned "okay" as far as a -20 degree windchill would allow.

Next day, attempted to start, started up with the super-high-park-idle again. Shut the car off for a moment, popped the hood checking for leaks, oil, etc. Turned ignition again, and...nothing. No cranks.

Power is reaching all systems fine, and fuel pump sounds like it moves along decently. Mechanic stated they couldn't hand crank it, but I'm not so sure it's completely gone.

Any advice?

[FaceEater]

One and only bump

[jon95se]

is the starter cranking? or is it just nothing?
if not, check battery cables. we shall go from there.

wind chill doesnt effect cars, i to live in minnesota, so i feel your pain. the actual temp of -20 and -30 that we were getting wreaked havoc on everything.

[FaceEater]

I don't believe the starter is cranking. Ignition is turned, and a simple "click" or "tchk" is heard from under the hood.

Edit: To clarify, the first poster in this thread described the original symptoms quite well.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=367820

[jon95se]

first, to make sure it isnt a problem with moisture. repeatedly turn your key between the start and on position, you should hear it click. if after a dozen times the starter still wont engage. then you have a completely different issue.

first off, clean your battery cables up at the battery, i have seen many instances lately where the cables are so corroded that it can no longer make a decent enough connection to allow the starter to crank

if after cleaning those off and resecuring them as necessary, if it still doesnt do it, you most likely need a new starter

make sure you checked your coolant level and power steering. all the vital fluids, make sure your not froze up. make sure all is good. oil level should be full. but you may have seized er up if a starter doesnt do it for you.

update me and i will try and help out some more.

[barbied]

I too would try cleaning the battery post and cables, as I have had that problem with the moisture and the corrosion with mine...Hard to do on mine as it is a side mount battery.

[FaceEater]

jon95se - Turned the key a dozen and a half times, and still just the click.

And, yes, I too have the side-mount battery (which appears to be standard on this car). But, I will get to cleaning the cables ASAP.

Heartfelt thanks to the both of you thus far.

[Goatmann]

My problem is similar but different. I have the same engine but it's a 2001 in an SE. I just pulled my car out parked it and when I went to start it again the engine would'nt crank at all. All the electrics work but the engine doesn't crank. Thinkin it was the battery I went and purchased a new one but the problem was the same. Now the dealership put a rebuilt tranny in about 2 weeks ago so my thought is it's not engaging into Park all the way or maybe the neutral saftey switch could be bad.

[FaceEater]

Phew! That was the longest ASAP in forum history.

ANYWAY:

Went to turn ignition, and noted that starter clicks/does its little jiggle. Checked battery connections (after stripping a mounted screw to some rounded end), and applied a charger just to make sure. Charger flung over to 0 after only a few seconds on the battery.

So, battery problems are out, and I believe starter problems (minus possibly connections between engine and starter (which I don't know much about --little help?)) are out too.

However - strange things to be noted - perhaps entirely unrelated.
There is some somewhat ugly goop in the coolant reservoir settled at the BOTTOM of the standard green stuff. Just looks like little flakes or chunks - friend said it didn't look too serious, but probably needed a flush - Also - Brakes (ABS) were locked. Turning the key to priming position, fuel pump engages, everything beeps and dings and boops, I then dropped it into neutral, and it was damned near impossible to even PUSH the sucker to get it rolling at all. A loud groan was heard, and then it started it's roll.
But the engine still didn't turn. AND - Attempting to turn steering wheel I felt like I was going to have to snap it off to get the wheels turned at all.

So...thoughts?

[jon95se]

the engine needs to spin over to get rid of the excess brake pressure. and the steering is extremely hard when you dont have any problem.
are you sure that you dont have a dead cell in the battery? a jumpstart wont do anything?

[FaceEater]

Will attempt a jump this coming week, and post results.