95 Grand AM Electrical System:Starter Assembly

[scully1979]

Hi Everyone! I'm new to the forum so bare with me. Earlier this year I had to take my car in for a recall on the Electrical System: Starter Assembly. Well after the relay was added it ran great for about a week and then it wouldnt start again, the same as before the recall. So now the routine has been either to turn the switch over until it finally catches OR shorting out the starter with a wire (which by the way is now the only way it will start!) My question is will the dealership be responsible for doing the recall over since it's the same problem or are they going to try and sell me something, saying it's not the recalled part causing it? My dad drives a 95 Buick Skylark that had the same recall and once his was replaced he had no more problems. Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

[GTP Dad]

Welcome to the forum! Take the car back to the dealer and have them check the relay they put into the car. It appears that the relay has gone bad and is causing your problem. It should have lasted longer than you state and they should replace it for free. Dealers are funny places and I am not a fan of returning a car to a dealer for service. If they check the repair and find that the problem is something else, you may want to take it elsewhere to have it repaired.

Being a 95 there is a possibility that the problem lies at the starter solenoid or at least the wires leading to the starter. The ignition switch may also be worn to the point where it won't engage the starter. You may want to check some of these items before you take the car to the dealer. Good Luck!

[scully1979]

Okay guys, here is my next question. When we test the starter according to the Haynes Automotive manual ( by connecting a jumper lead to the S terminal and the battery +) we get nothing. However, when we connect to the motor terminal and the battery + the car starts. Where now does the problem lie? When the switch is turned over I still get a clicking noise which we thought meant that the solenoid was working properly. FYI, after running the 12 volts over the relay that was installed we got a click, so the relay is working, right? Thanks alot for any replies, this has been a nightmare to figure out !! Thanks again.

[catback23]

I'd say if jumpering the S terminal with the battery + terminal doesn't work and you have the right terminals the solenoid is bad...Is the clicking you hear coming from the solenoid? Does the solenoid even click when you jumper it? A solenoid can still be bad even if it does click, I would say since you jumpered it and it didn't activate the starter that it's bad unless the battery and starter connections on it are in bad shape. If they appear corroded, dirty, or greasy try cleaning them up. Good luck with it hope this info helps even if only a little.

[GTP Dad]

I would have to say that the problem lies in the ignition switch. For some reason you are not getting voltage from the ignition circuit to the starter. If you jumper across the terminals and the car starts then the solenoid and starter are good. Before going to the expense of changing the solenoid, crawl under the car or put it on a lift and check the wires to the solenoid. Sometimes, especially on earlier Grand Am's there was a problem with the wires breaking or corroding to the point where they would not work. If everything checks out then I would go the ignition switch route.