Suddenly won't start
INF3RN0666
11-08-2007, 11:16 AM
Hi,
I have a 2000 impala 3.8L. I got in it a week ago and it just didn't want to start. As a matter of fact, it doesn't even turn over, but all the lights come on when I put the switch to "ON". I tried boosting it to make sure that the battery wasn't weak. That didn't help at all. The car has Passlock, but when I turn the key to "ON", the SECURITY message light comes on, so I think the ignition switch is working fine. When I turn the key to "START", all the lights go out but the car doesn't do anything. Could it be the starter, or maybe it's the ignition relay. What do you think?
I have a 2000 impala 3.8L. I got in it a week ago and it just didn't want to start. As a matter of fact, it doesn't even turn over, but all the lights come on when I put the switch to "ON". I tried boosting it to make sure that the battery wasn't weak. That didn't help at all. The car has Passlock, but when I turn the key to "ON", the SECURITY message light comes on, so I think the ignition switch is working fine. When I turn the key to "START", all the lights go out but the car doesn't do anything. Could it be the starter, or maybe it's the ignition relay. What do you think?
curtis73
11-08-2007, 11:39 AM
The passlock system is not very reliable. I would suspect it first. However, the easiest thing to check is if its the starter. While someone is holding the key in the start position, gently whack the body of the starter with a screwdriver handle or something. If it suddenly springs to life, you have your problem.
INF3RN0666
11-08-2007, 01:11 PM
Do you think the ignition switch is easy to replace if it turns out to be the problem?
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