Starting problems

1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
Estimated 136,000 miles

This doesn't happen very often, but at random times my Olds won't start. When it happens, I return to my car, turn the key to crank the engine, nothing cranks, the performance cluster lights come on, nothing seems faint, radio comes on and ac.
Early this year, I had Sears put in a new battery, then the problem seemed to disappear. Then after some time later, the symptom returns. After several tries, the car would start.
I took my car to Sears to check the battery, the battery was fine. I did request that they replace the cable bolts. Then later, I took off my altenator, and had a parts store check it. The altenator failed, bought a new one and put it on. No problems.
Now about a month later, the symptom has reared it's ugly head again. It same, go to start car, nothing happens, no cranking, not even the slightest, the dash lights come on like normal. After a few tries, the car will eventually start up. I do have a battery monitor, when this happens, I turn the key to the off position, plug in my battery monitor. The monitor shows a full charged battery, 12.7 - 12.6, then when I turn the key to start, the monitor shows that the battery voltage drops to 12.3. Luckily I was parked near a repair shop and asked one of the guys to jump my battery, he said that the battery is holding enough juice.
So now I wonder, could the recently replaced altenator be the culprit again? I think it's possible that my starter could be malfuntioning. However, my service manual said that this rarely go out. The other culprits, which I hate would be the ignition switch. Could my key be a factor?

I'm at a loss and frustrated, I've been late to work because of this. Is there anyone that has experienced this before?

Do you have a "Security" light that comes on when this is happening?

IF there is no Security light, its typically not a PassKey problem, so you could probably rule that out.

I'm leaning with you on the fact that it could be an ignition switch problem, especially given the intermittance, and the fact that after you mess with it enough, it will start.

When it fails to crank, try turning it back to OFF then back to ON and try again. Are you getting a full cluster of lights that flash at you or just a few that stay on?

Either way, Im still leaning toward an ignition switch problem, it fixed my issues, and those of several other members. Im not sure that outright replacement is necessary, personally I just had to remove and externally clean mine, and clean the plugs and such, and everything has worked fine since, other members have gone so far as to disassemble it and clean it internally as well.

Here's how to remove it if you're interested, it might at least be something to try, especially since it takes nothing more than basic hand tools, a little bit of time, and some patience, and in my experience, being built like a 14-yr old girl helped out a little.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=736656

Details of my starting issues are posted here:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=649677

See if anything in that thread jumps out at you as being similar.

hope that helps

Do you have a "Security" light that comes on when this is happening?

IF there is no Security light, its typically not a PassKey problem, so you could probably rule that out.

Well, in my attempts to start the car, all the lights come on including the security light, which is normal when starting the car. But after that test has finished it's course, the check engine, oil, and security light remain on when this happens. Yeah, I plugged in my scan tool, no trouble codes.
The security light has come on before while I'm driving the car. After I turn the car off and then restart it, the light is off.

I'm leaning with you on the fact that it could be an ignition switch problem, especially given the intermittance, and the fact that after you mess with it enough, it will start.

When it fails to crank, try turning it back to OFF then back to ON and try again. Are you getting a full cluster of lights that flash at you or just a few that stay on?

As mentioned before, after all the cluster lights shut off, the check engine, oil, and the security light remain on. When I bought the car from an individual, the owners manual was unfortunately not in the glove department. My Chilton's repair manual doesn't even talk about what the security light means and the why. I tried talking to the dealership service department about this light, they wanted me to bring it in. I didn't want to bring it in, I just wanted my questions answered.

Either way, Im still leaning toward an ignition switch problem, it fixed my issues, and those of several other members. Im not sure that outright replacement is necessary, personally I just had to remove and externally clean mine, and clean the plugs and such, and everything has worked fine since, other members have gone so far as to disassemble it and clean it internally as well.

Here's how to remove it if you're interested, it might at least be something to try, especially since it takes nothing more than basic hand tools, a little bit of time, and some patience, and in my experience, being built like a 14-yr old girl helped out a little.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=736656

Thanks, I'll look into it.

Details of my starting issues are posted here:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=649677

See if anything in that thread jumps out at you as being similar.

hope that helps

What you described is exactly what I'm going through with mine. I have hated replacing starters. My last car, a '92 Mercury Cougar, needed a new starter. It was a bouger bear holding the starter in one hand and using a socket wrench in the other.

i've had gm's with strange problems such as yours, and found that sometimes is a plug,other times will be a ground problem, i would make sure connections are good before anything else. another area might be the shifter position , the next time push the shifter to park harder and see if that might be your problem.maybe shift to neutral.
sounds more like connections since when there is work done the problem goes away for a time.i'd head straight for the starter solenoid first.then maybe the ig switch.
i've got the 2000 model so i'm glad to hear potentials before they happen.

Sorry about the delay in replying. My problem was the lock cylinder. After installing the new ignition cylinder, I had to do a relearn procedure which took about 30 minutes. Easy as pie.