97 Lumina Starting Problem - Please help!

Ok, I'm going nuts here because this no-start problem is causing me to lose sleep. I can't figure out why the vehicle won't start.

I have plenty of experience so I'm not usually one to throw random parts at a vehicle, but I can't figure this one out.

Last week there was a no start, you would turn the keep and hear nothing, maybe an occassional *click* *click*. Checked the voltage on the battery, wasn't reading too low, but tried decided to try to jump. Jump started, vehicle started up with the alternator putting out low voltage.

I went ahead and replaced the alternator along with a brand new battery. The car ran great for a few days. Yesterday my cousin was driving it (it's his car) and he said when he stepped on the brake his radio shut off. The brake light and ABS light are both on.

Now the vehicle won't start again. I replaced the starter because I read a bad solenoid could cause problems. I checked the wires from the battery to the starter and the ground from the battery. They appear to be in tact. I'm confused as to why there is still a clicking, like the solenoid is clicking, but not enough power is getting to it? I'm so lost and frustrated at this point I'm willing to try anything!!!

Any ideas would greatly be appreciated. One last note: I had the car running by jumping it with my SUV (this is after the new starter/battery/alternator) and I left the cables on. The car even died while the jumper cables were hooked up. Could this be a coil pack issue? Please help!

I'd suggest inspecting all the main positive power connections, including the power stud on the UEC, its bussing, MAXI fuses, and links at the starter solenoid.

Hey Bowtie, thanks for the advice. I know I'm going to sound stupid asking you, but what is the UEC? I understood everything else you said, but I'm not sure what the UEC is or where to find diodes relating to it. Any responses are appreciated. Thanks!

Underhood Electrical Center. That's the fuse/relay/power panel just in front of the LF strut tower. There is a main battery power connection there.

Ok, it takes a real man to admit this, but I made a monumental error: After putting in the new battery and starter, I forgot to plug the alternator back in. I was in such haste to get everything done and put back together, that I completely overlooked that aspect. I learned a very important lesson: HASTE MAKES WASTE!

Thanks to anyone that looked at my "problem" and thought of helping!

HI, I WANTED TO RESPOND TO YOUR POSTING ON AUTO FORUM ABOUT THE PROBLEM STARTING YOUR CHEVY LUMINA. I DON'T KNOW WHEN YOU POSTED THIS QUESTION SO THIS INFO MAY NOT BE RELEVANT ANYMORE. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 1995 LUMINA AND AFTER 2 STARTERS I FINALLY FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM. IT WAS THE KEY ITSELF. DO YOU HAVE A SMALL SECURITY CHIP ON YOUR IGNITION KEY? I ONLY HAD THE PROBLEM WHEN I USED ONE KEY BUT HAD NO PROBLEM STARTING WHEN I USED MY SPARE KEY. I HAD TO TELL THE GUYS AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS MAY BE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT EITHER. SO THEY MADE ME A NEW KEY ($100) AND THE STARTING PROBLEM WAS SOLVED.( AFTER SPENDING OVER $300) TO BAD I COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT BEFORE I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER. TAKE CARE, BARRY
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