Fustrated with Montana that won't start

[Bigdog24]

I'am pulling my hair out... This 2001 Montana has been a great vehicle. Then like many of them out there it got a intake leak... Pontiac nor the dealer would work with us on the issue so it took some hard earned money...to fix it

So here is the problem: 5 days after the dealer fixed the leak we were getting weird electrical problems and the van just stopped. The dealer did not tighten the wiring harness at the alternater and forgot to tighten the battery back in postion and it slide into the pully cutting into the postive cable..... They were real nice and said they fixed it up and everything is fine.

NOW two weeks later my wife says its acting funny again, and it won't start... turn the key no guages work the raido display says ERROR on it. the ABS and battery lights are on and when you try to start it, it just clicks. Got it once to turn over very slow for a few seconds.

Checked all the fuses "Look good have voltage going to them"
The Battery has 10-12Volts checked with a multi meter
Replace that cut postive cable and still no changes. At this point I need help...... I can't even roll up the window..

[GTP Dad]

If you have 24 volts at the battery you have major issues. 14 volts is optimal with the car running. If you have more than that there are major issues with the battery. You problem sounds like you may have a damaged battery or a burnt fusable link at the starter. I would try to jump the van to see if it starts. If not, then you will need to check the starter. You can jumper across the starter terminals on the solenoid to see what happens. If it turns over then the issue with the ignition switch.

[Bigdog24]

My fault actually 10-12 Volts coming from the battery. Tried jumping it..didn't change the symptoms at all... how do you jump it at the starter

[davidson5557]

Sounds like you need a new battery. The dealer may have screwed it up with the electrical problems that they encountered. 10-12 volts is a little low. Take the battery out and have it checked.

Mark

[GTP Dad]

The battery is certainly bad or at least below where it should be. To jump the van take another fully charged battery and connect the positive terminals together using jumper cables. Then take the black jumper cable and attach to the charged battery and to a metal point on your van preferably the engine block. Attempt to start the car. If the battery is bad then it should start or at least turn over. Try it and let us know what happened.

[Bigdog24]

When I jump it at the starter, do I just take a screw driver and touch (cross) both connections at the solonid?

[GTP Dad]

Touch the terminal that has the battery lead going to it and then touch the one connected to the solenoid. They should be next to one another. If the starter is good and there is good battery power the starter should turn the engine over.

[Bigdog24]

Thanks for all the help>>> Got it running... Took the battery out and had it checked at Advance Auto and it was drained (low on Amps)but still good. After a good charging I put it back in and the Engine started right up. We took the Van to Advance Auto were they checked the Alternator and ultimatley we found that the voltage regulator is bad... When the dealership failed to tighten the cable correctly it must of damaged the regulator....We took the Van in to the dealer to fix a leak and it has been back in the shop every week for the last 3 weeks to repair there mistakes and tighten everything back up......dealerships are not reliable as they use to be

Thanks for all the help....It saved me Money and a lot of time...