Starting issue a bit different than the rest...

I have a 2001 intrigue. I have been having starting issues. I did a search and read about everyone else's starting issues and I replaced the ignition switch. Well, that didn't fix it. Here is whats happening. About 50% of the time, I go to start the car and the SES light comes on as you turn the key. Nothing else happens. No relay clicks, no starter turning over the engine, nothing. The SES light is the ONLY light on. It takes about 6-7 turns of the key and then it will start up and run fine. I used my scan tool to check for codes, and there are none. The interior lights and head lights all work when having this problem. Any ideas of what else to check? I thought I had the same issue as everyone else until I realized that the SES light was on, and not the security light. Thanks in advance for the help!

Pull the connections off your battery, clean them well, pull the boots off the positive one especially and clean all of it as well. Im betting you may find some corrosion.

A wire brush works well, as does a little container of water with a good amount of baking soda mixed in. In a pinch a pocketknife will do.

Last I checked there wasn't any corrosion, but I will pull them off and clean them up and see what happens. Thanks!

Thats exactly what happens to my car to but now my car won't even start period so I'm just in complete and udder dismay and don't know what to do. If you can get your car running then try to bypass the security system which is passlock 2 and just look online and see how to bypass it and it should work then. Your car probably has the security problem like mine and many others but in your case your car will actually work sometimes in my case I let it go for so long when it would work and then wouldn't now it won't start at all. So don't let it go very long or else your car will just not start period. I changed the lock cylinder, battery, all plugs connecting lock cylinder, and ignition switch and NONE of those things fixed it. Try to bypass your system while you still have a chance to.

Is this a passlock issue even though the security light has never once come on?

Is this a passlock issue even though the security light has never once come on?

When I had the PassLock issue with my 02 Intrigue about 2 years ago the Security light would illuminate briefly while I was driving and then a few days later I would have the no-start issue. When I would turn my key in to the "on" position the Security light would blink. I would have to let it sit for right at 10 minutes in the on position until the light quit blinking and remained on steady. Then it would start. If your security light hasn't come on at all I would expect it to be something else.

FYI, I had to have the dealership replace the PassLock sensor on the ignition switch to repair it.

Yea, my security light has never come on. The only light that is on when trying to start it is the Service Engine Soon light. No codes are thrown.

I noticed that when this happens, I can hear a relay clicking from somewhere under the dash. Seems to be behind the glove box or in that area. Anyone know whats back there that is associated with starting?

Fuel pump relay & starter enable relay are both under the dash. I'd try to find the clicking relay.

That is the retained accessory power relay. It is normal to hear it click on when you turn the ignition on, and if you have a door open it should immediately click off when you turn the ignition off.

Thanks for that info. So that rules out a relay issue. Any other ideas on whats going on?

More questions... Do the warning bells sound normal, and are your interior lights as bright as you would normally expect them, and consistently the proper brightness? Does the door lock motors seem to sound sluggish?