I bought a 1998 Chevy Lumina LS (I think LS anyway) from a dealer about 3 weeks ago. It came with a worn out remote that would lock the doors and open the trunk, but the unlock button wouldn't work that well. If any button at all was pressed, the car wouldn't start until you could get the unlock button to work (which usually took about 5 minutes of pressing to get it to unlock the doors). Anyway, I guess this was a security feature, but the key would turn, but the engine wouldn't turn over at all. Anyway, I bought a new remote and programmed it about a week ago, and the car has been working fine since.
Until yesterday that is. I know the remote is working great. Everything locks, unlocks, and opens right away, but now my car is just intermittently not starting for no apparent reason. I have read some posts on the forum about starting issues, but I want to make sure of some things.
I did also receive a new key a week ago because I lost my keys canoeing. Yesterday, I started my car up and went out. Drove to Petco, got out, got back in, and it started right up. Drove 2 feet to a different store in the same shopping center, and when I came back, it wouldn't start. I played with the remote several times, called somebody, kept trying, and after about 5 minutes it finally started. Drove it to Wal-Mart, went in for 10 minutes, came out, and again, wouldn't start. Again, played with the remote, closing/opening doors, retrying, and called someone again. Again, it finally decided to start after about 5-10 minutes. This time drove it home.
Stayed home for 3 hrs or so, then went to Home Depot. Started right up when I left the house. Was in Home Depot for a bit, went outside, and once again, refused to start. Tried everything I did earlier, but refused to work. Called someone yet again, and told them to come pick me up. Kept trying for like 30 minutes or so, but wouldn't work. Finally, right before the person was almost there to pick me up, it started. Brought it home, turned it off, had someone look at it, but tried to show them what it had been doing, but it kept starting just fine.
Today, called Chevy. Said it sounded like loose connections between the battery and starter. Said if it was an ignition switch, it probably wouldn't start at all, and if it was the starter, it would probably make noise when trying to start. But it doesn't make any noise at all. All the accessories and lights come on, but nada when you try to start it. Anyhow, they wanted $80 to check connections, but can't see it until the 24th! I need it way before then. So I had the guy come over and check the connections between the battery and starter, and he said it all seemed tight.
Anyway, I was reading something about the chip sensor and security function, and I tried spraying some Electro-Wash in the ignition (couldn't find canned air right now), but that didn't work. I have no lights on at all when the car is running. The only time I see the security light is when I start the car. Also, I thought I would mention the starter is an aftermarket starter (ACDelco), so is probably pretty new. Can't tell how old the battery is, as it isn't punched anywhere. So I have no idea at all what is going on. As I stated before, the car was running just fine, and now is crazy on when it decides it wants to start or not.
Sorry this post is so long, but I thought I would put as much information as possible to see if this can't be figured out. I really need my car (who doesn't?), but my kids and myself are starting school soon, and if I don't have this car, I will have to borrow my ex-husbands prelude with no a/c and tons of other problems in it.
Please help!