2000 Intrigue...starter? ignition switch?? HELP!!

Hello - A few days ago I tried stating my car. When I turned the key over...nothing but a faint click. I turned it again, it started fine. This happened a couple of days afterwards. NO warning lights remained on. A week into this - it's definitely getting worse. My service engine soon light remains on as of 2 days ago. When I turn the key over, it makes a clicking noise...it could be 5 times, it could be 20 times then it will start.

Someone said it is my starter, another person said it was my igniton switch - (which BTW, it does get stuck from time to time - for the past yr. but I have never experience this problem with starting before).

The starter was priced at $165 but if it's something else since the service engine light is now remaining on - maybe it's not the starter??? ANY insight on this matter is greatly appreciated. THANKS so much!!!!

I'm having starting issues as well with my 200 Intrigue but I don't have the "check engine" light on in mine.

Ohters will chime in soon but you need to get the code read before doing anything else. it could be related to the starting issues, it could be something completely different.

The SES light seems to me like it might be unrelated to the no-start issue. To figure out what it means, pull into any auto parts store, and either ask to borrow their code reader to check it yourself, or see if they can spare someone to come out and check it for you, some stores are more friendly about this than others. But either way, you should write down the code, and maybe listen to what the employee has to say about it, that varies between employees though haha.

With that said, is it a no start or a no crank issue? What do your dash lights behave like? Do they all light up like they normally would as youre going through the start procedure.

Weve seen far more ignition switch problems here than start issues. The ignition switch is a common issue, the starter isnt.

You might also check to make sure the battery connections have no corrosion on them. Be sure to pull the boots off the cables and clean under there too.

Ive personally had luck with removing the ignition switch and cleaning the contacts, etc, as have several others. If youre interested in instructions to do so, you can search for "ignition switch removal" using my name.

Thanks for replying! :)

I had my neighbor clean my cables about 4 days ago. He said they were fine but he cleaned them anyway. Naturally, that was not the problem:disappoin He is coming over tonight to see if the car will throw any codes. When I get them I'll repost here.

The lights on the car operate in the normal state...nothing is dim or weak. All lights go off as usual EXCEPT for the Service Engine Soon light. It remains on until I turn the car off again. The car does start. I have to turn the key over several times. Each time I do - it will make a clicking sound. I turn the key off and try again - until it finally starts. It could be as many as 20 attempts before starting.

I actually printed out the directions yesterday about removing the ignition switch and cleaning it. I was hoping to attempt this over the weekend. My key will sometimes get stuck and I have to jiggle it for what seems like forever, but it always turns in the end. VERY ANNOYING!:banghead:

A lot of people are telling me it is the starter. BUT, the thing is I don't always have the start problem..more often than not lately though. I'm going to wait until this evening to see what the code reader says. I just hope it doesn't cost a ton of $$$ to get to the problem.

THANKS guys!

If your turn the key 20 times for starting but hear the click instead of cranking it may be a bad ignition switch. Check your battery volts see if your car starts right away with another car jumping it. Next approach run a wire to your starter for a postive connection to the positive starter wire screw it in. Better a red wire loop it next to your positive battery terminal and cap it good. Have somone in the car ready to start the car as you connect the starter positive for a short time if it cranks and runs its the ignition switch. 1st I'd removed my ignition switch since I know it the most possible cause my car acted just like that.

The codes that came up on my car are:

PO335
PO340
PO385
PO335
PO340
PO385

I realize that the last 3 are the same as the first 3. IS this is a normal reading?? I am clueless to this stuff.

THANKS!

PO335-Crankshaft Position A Circuit Malfunction

PO340-Camshaft Position Circuit Malfunction

PO385- Crankshaft Position Circuit B Malfunction

Okay the Crankshaft Position Sensor is definetely shot, which would explain a cranking but not starting issue, but Ive never heard of one causing the vehicle not to crank at all that just doesnt make sense.

I dont think the Camshaft Sensor will prevent the vehicle from starting on this engine, but I think it will make ir run poorly.

Sounds to me like youve got 2 bad sensors, and still possibly a bad ignition switch. Could also be a bad crank relay or something small like that.

PO335-Crankshaft Position A Circuit Malfunction
PO340-Camshaft Position Circuit Malfunction
PO385- Crankshaft Position Circuit B Malfunction


A faulty camshaft position sensor will give you hesitant starting. I am surprised your car starts at all with the faulty A/B CKP sensor = usually only one goes bad.

You can search this forum for those codes. =they are common problems.

I think we need some clarification.

Is the car not starting or is it not cranking? As in when you turn the key does it turn the engine over but not start or does it do nothing.

when my crank and cam sensors went out the first time, I had a hell of a time starting it. Some days it would work, others it would takes 10-15 tries. After I got them replaced it worked fine.... until my crank sensor went out again which Im workin on now:banghead:

Yes, the car is starting. After it starts it seems to run fine.

The problem is...when I try to start the car - it will make a clicking sound each time I turn the key over (1 click per turn). It may take 2 times or more. But eventually it does start. However; it doesn't do this all the time...Some days it will start up normally. Last week it seemed to be giving me more trouble with it. My friend came over and pulled up those codes but since then, the Service engine light has not been back on. (?) The past couple of days the check engine light has remained OFF and it has only given me trouble once over the weekend. I have the sensors ordered - they will be in tomorrow. So, we'll see. I still have people telling me to change the started b/c it sounds like the cylinoid (sp) is bad. Can't I just change the cylinoid instead of the whole starter???

The solenoid is built into the starter, so even if it is the solenoid you still have to change the whole thing, the solenoid is not serviceable.

ok, thanks!!!!! :)

Listen to the codes when it comes to the cam and crank sensor. It's a very common issue with the intrigue. Crank sensor seems to fail more often than the cam though (based on what i see posted on the forum).

my cam and crank failed six months apart. Both had codes that showed up each time i had starting issues. As soon as they were replaced each time, my starting issues disappeared.
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I would put any thoughts of the starter completely aside and as something separate to your current problems. You may have to do it at some point, but get the sensors out of the way first. I actually did have to change my starter because of a bad solenoid.

Starter Solenoid Thread (for reference) (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t649677.html)

There's the thread for that in case you want to see my experience with the starter replacement.

starter or ignition switch:

If you turn the key and hear the relay click: -the starter should turn over. When it does not: You either don't have enough current to turn the engine over (Voltage is actually OK, a wiring/corrosion issue) or the solenoid (electric switch that pushes out and engages to the flywheel to start the engine) is dirty/stuck/faulty.

-but you also have OBD2 fault codes.

If you are turning your key off/on 20 times, hearing the click it's either a weak battery/wiring/corrosion or the solenoid of the starter.

the CKP sensor and starter could be replaced at the same time (starter comes out to replace the CKP sensor).

Frencse, definately pay attention to the trouble codes and get those taken care of first, those are your first priority. Crank sensors are notorious for intermitten starting problems on GM vehicles. OBDII is a very intricate diagnostic system and OBDIII even better. Those troble codes are there for a reason. So listen to them. I would also take Sparcx`s advice about the starter and disregard that for now(not saying that you could have a problem there too but....) for now get the sensors replaced. You said you had them ordered so hopefully that fix`s the problem. Just curious does your security light come on or blink when you try to start it?