'94 Grand Am GT Problem...

Okay, bought the car for $300.00. It had to be towed back here, it wouldn't start. The starter just continuously clicked, so we replaced the starter and recharged the battery. Now the only thing we get when we turn the key over is this massive "clunk". Any input would be greatly appreciated...I haven't had much time to go and look over this car just yet. I'd just like to know what everyone thinks it could possibly be. Thanks in advance.

Try checking your battery connections. Disconnect em and clean em / dremmel them until they're real clean. Also, take the grounding wire(s) and disconnect them from where they connect to the body and dremmel them and where they connect with a wire brush and then reconnect them.

All right, I'll check out the battery connections and stuff. Thanks for the info. Any other ideas?

No problem. Does it actually fire when you crank it all the way? If it tries to fire but nothing happens, it could be your fuel pump. That "clunk" might indicate a dead fuel pump, in which case you might try swapping it out with a new one.

I have no clue whether it fires or not, I haven't had the time to check it out completely. I know when you turn the key over, nothing happens, just a really loud clunk when the starter kicks. With my experience, it sounds like the engine is locked up, but I'll have to see if I can turn it by hand before I assume anything else. If I can turn the engine by hand, then I'll try what you've suggested about the battery and fuel pump. Thanks again. I'll let you know what I find out about it...

This may be a silly "?", but do you have the correct starter? If it is not the right starter it may not be able to turn over the engine. The "clunk" you are hearing is most likely the starter solinoid engaging the starter gear to the fly wheel but can not crank it over. If it is the right starter then you maybe correct about the engine being seized. Hopefully it is a starter issue and not a siezed motor.

Good luck

I know it's not a starter problem...the starter is identical to the original. I'll let everyone know what I find one once I get a nice day to work...it's been snowing continuously here for a while.

I hate to say this, but does the engine have oil?

Before ya try the hand-turn method, whcih I am assuming you going to put a socket on the crank or cam bolt to turn it with~~~~~~~~~~`

Pull all the spark plugs [relieves cylinder pressure]

Toss some spray lube into each cylinder prior to turning it, let the lube sit a minute or two, just in case frozen rings/pistons upper end.

Start turning, plugs removed, if it starts to turn, keep tossing lube into each cylinder for at least one full revolution of all pistons.

Go from there, and best of luck to ya!!!!!!!

The engine does have oil...it was actually overfilled. It's around almost 2 quarts over, leave it to the genious people who had it before me. I'll try what you everything that's been suggested, especially the last one. But what should I use? Industrial grade penetrant, or just WD-40?

Probably some industrial grade stuff that's meant for internal work.

Is it possible that it's actually so overfilled with oil that the crankshaft is locked when it tries to turn it to fire? I'm not sure if that'd even be possible, but it's just a thought.

yeah, ride, it is possible that being overfilled can create a pressure lock. Might be worth draining the oil down to the recommended level.

Scary thought that the timing belt is broken, so the cam doesn't turn, meaning the valves stay in one position, meaning nothing happens.

I may be reaching on this potential problem, but it may behoove you to pull the valve cover [easiest one to pull, lol] and when ya try to hand turn, see if the valves move. If they do, timing belt is working. It very hard with an old engine to try to determine why it won't turn over.

I'll get some industrial grade stuff to try that out. I really don't think that the crankshaft could seize because of too much oil. The seizing of an engine is always caused by the lack of lubrication. I don't know if the timing belt is broken or not, but if I can get the engine to turn, I'll check that out. Because it would be much easier to remove the valve cover rather than going and ripping away at stuff trying to gain access to the timing belt itself. I'll let everyone know what I find out. I believe, if you and I keep on putting our heads together, we might actually be able to pinpoint this problem and get that car back on the road soon. :) Thanks again.