99 Olds Intrigue GLS 3.5, Random No Start, Ignition Switch?

Hey Folks,

Hoping some of you could weigh in on my problem. Randomly our car would not start after running some errands around town, with no hint that something might be wrong. It appears to be more electrical, the starter doesn't even get the chance to turn over. A good Samaritan gave us a jump and that worked...

As I turn the key, the guage cluster goes sporatic and it appears that the power (lights) go weak; then just a click (not starter, but electrical sounding). I charged and tested the battery and it is fine. My Starter has been replaced once (3 years ago). What has me baffled is this: It will start just fine every morning like nothing is wrong. My wife drives it to work and it wont start on its own for the rest of that day. IF I jump it, it starts up just fine....so far it has always started with a jump and will continue to run with no problems, so I don't think it has anything to do with the alternator. I used the Intrigue battery on my truck and it started the truck, so battery seems fine.

After some research on this site, I am thinking it is the Ignition Switch. Is it possible that a dirty contact on the Switch could be "over-ridden" by jumping the car? Higher current? What is driving me nuts is the fact that it will start the next morning just fine (so far)...

There are no code lights and I have already replaced the CAM/Shaft sensors just a few months ago. My belief is that it is the Ignition Switch or possibly a nearly-bad wire on the Starter (selinoid).

Any advice appreciated.

Mike

Could be your ignition switch, or it also could be your anti theft system acting up.

I did a series of regular tests and they all pointed to the battery being bad. Took it BACK to Checkers and after 30 minutes of proving it to them, they finally gave me a new battery (warranty). They were nice about it. The car starts fine now thus far. I will return to post if the problem returns.

Your problem is what happened to my father in law. His car would not start so he called me up and I went down to boost him. I tried turning over the car first and it did start, but turned over slowly. We then drove to my house and we went to Walmart to purchase a new battery. I installed it and his no start condition went away for a short time only though. I eventually had to replace the ignition switch after unsuccessfully trying to repair it.

I hope this is the end of your trouble, but from my experience, do not rule out the ignition switch just yet.

to add to what hoppy2 stated, there are directions to replace the ignition switch on this forum. Do a search on "ignition switch" and it should come up? it will save you a couple hundred dollars doing it yourself.

Thanks for the tips folks. I do have the Ignition Switch Forum saved in my internet favorites folder....I will keep my fingers crossed that it was the battery, but if not, I am sure that is most likely the switch.

Thanks,

suspect batteries need to be load tested.

Since the car turned over or was jumped -a faulty ignition becomes less probable.

Most Intrigues have gone thru their first battery. 2002 Intrigue 5-7 years max on a lead-acid car battery.

Clean those connections, use a dialectric grease, and/or cover them.

I had this same exact problem last month. Just like you described. I replaced the ignition switch and the problem did not go away. I then replaced the starter and I haven't had a problem since.