starter relay

my brother has a 2001 lumina 3.1. today he calls me and says his car won't start, his lights work, so it's not the battery, and he said it's done it before on very cold mornings. i tell him to turn the key to the on position 2 or 3 times, then try to start it, he does and it works. i told him to change the starter relay(if it has one) but he can't find it, and i can't see the car to find it myself, he lives in Minnesota about 14 hours away. does anyone know where it is? and does this sound right to you all? (the relay being the problem) by the way it's not in the fuse boxes under the hood. any info would be great, thanks

When you say it will not start you are referring to it not cranking or it cranks but will not fire ?

The repeated positioning of the key to the "On" position, not "Start" ?, would lead me to believe there is a problem with the fuel system ?

According to my wiring diagram: IGN SW Maxi fuse 50 amp -> IGN SW -> FUSE 7 -> PARK/ NEUTRAL SW -> THEFT DETERRENT RELAY (coil) -> (Starter Enable) THEFT DETERRENT MODULE. Theft deterrent relay closes allowing Yellow wire to pass voltage through relay to the purple wire on starter solenoid.

Is "Security " light on during this ?

Let us know.

when he tried to start it it would not turn over. but the lights will come on, so i don't think it's the battery. i'm not real familiar with his car ( i'm a diesel guy). i don't know if the security light was on i'll have to call and ask. could it just be the starter?

Attach a test light to the starter solenoid wire and a good ground. Turn key to "Start" position. If light illuminates starter bad, if not check relay, park/ neutral switch, fuses , and power out at the ignition switch.

Please disregard the first PM let's try the second PM, Must have been sleeping.
Check your Private Messages.