Car won't start, crazy electrical stuff. Help please!

[amhinton1969]

Ok, I started the car this morning ('99 Intrigue) and noticed I had no odomitor(sp) or radio displays, also noticed the led's in the hvac controls were dead as well.

I figured I'd popped a fuse. As I went to the garage for a test light I noticed the headlights were on (Beautiful sunny day) as I returned from the garage the car died and wouldn't re-start.

All the fuses checked out fine. I did notice that when I disable the auto headlights (1 click on the e-brake) the displays and led's come back on. When I turn the headlights back on manually via the switch on the column the displays and led's go out again. Car still won't start. Also, I don't hear the fuel pump hum that little bit before I start it like normal.

I'm semi-mechanicaly inclined and can't afford to take it to a dealer. I checked the neg. battery cable and then went on a loose ground hunt. No luck so far. Any Ideas??

Anthony

[LittleHoov]

So we have a working fuel pump fuse, but not a working fuel pump is that correct? Have you checked for fuel pressure? There will be some residual pressure built up in the lines, but if you push in on the Schrader valve (looks like a bigger tire valve on the fuel rail) gas should come shooting out and not stop when the fuel pump is working.

Is this a no crank situation or a cranks but wont start situation? I didnt gather that from your post.

Did you check/ clean the positive battery cable?

[amhinton1969]

I checked and cleaned both postive and negative battery terminals. Turns over like a champ, but it won't fire. I will checke the fuel pressure this afternoon after work.

Thanks
Anthony

[amhinton1969]

Ok. I've got no fuel pressure either.

The fuel pump fuse is fine. Is there a controller somewhere that signals the fuel pump relay to kick on that ALSO ties into the auto head light? Like for the dimming of all the displays and led's.

Today the displays came on, but when I held my hand over the sensor until the lights came on all the displays went out again.

Since all this started going on at the same time I'm leaning toward them all being connected somehow.

Anthony

[LittleHoov]

I believe the ignition switch can cause all of those problems when it goes fruity, but Im not entirely sure, Ive never experienced them firsthand, and havent done much research on the issue, because what I thought to be my ignition switch turned out to be battery cables.

[Jimmy Olsen]

The reality is that modern cars are so complex that many times it best to let the dealer work on them. I know I do. It's fun to try and figure out how today's cars work but the mechanics at the dealers know these cars better than any one else.

[panzer dragoon]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Olsen

The reality is that modern cars are so complex that many times it best to let the dealer work on them. I know I do. It's fun to try and figure out how today's cars work but the mechanics at the dealers know these cars better than any one else.

-true, but the GM mechanics charge $88 an hour where I live and an Intrigue is at most worth $5k (2002 model). Most Intrigues are in the $2k-3k value range.

=If you can't fix it yourself, it may not be worth fixing.

=People are coming to this forum with their $2-3K Intrigues (with problems) they just bought and are expecting us to diagnose/fix them.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Originally Posted by panzer dragoon

-true, but the GM mechanics charge $88 an hour where I live and an Intrigue is at most worth $5k (2002 model). Most Intrigues are in the $2k-3k value range.

=If you can't fix it yourself, it may not be worth fixing.

=People are coming to this forum with their $2-3K Intrigues (with problems) they just bought and are expecting us to diagnose/fix them.

I agree that people come here for help in dx'ing their Intrigues which, while not currently worth much, is a fine modern car. To those who have capability to fix their Intriques my hat is off to them.

However, my view is that preventive maintenance guidance is probably just as important to holding the owner cost down as is specific repair advice, i.e., lack of maintenance is probably responsible for a lot of the inquires here.

The current market value of the Intrigue is not a totally revelant guide to determining if one should pay a good amount of money to get the Intrigue repaired. The main factor is how many miles one can expect to get out of the Intrigue once the repair is made v. the cost of the repair.

[dtownfb]

I have a 2000 Intrigue GL with 138k miles on it. I appreciate all the help i have gotten from all of you with regard to fixing some of the issues I have had with my car. Because of the information I've gotten from this board, I now am comfortable changing my own oil, changing the coolant, changing the PCV valve, lubing the ISS, diagnosing code P0101, etc. this information alone has saved me hundreds of dollars at the dealer.

Because the Intrigue is out of production (mistake by GM) and desire for these vehicles is about the same as a 1975 Gremlin, if you do run inot a high cost repair, you really need to make the hard decision on whether it is worth it to repair or dump it. I'm beyond that point now. My car is probably worth $1000 as a trade if the dealer wants to sell a car; maybe $1500 private sale.

[panzer dragoon]

Originally Posted by dtownfb

I have a 2000 Intrigue GL with 138k miles on it. I appreciate all the help i have gotten from all of you with regard to fixing some of the issues I have had with my car. Because of the information I've gotten from this board, I now am comfortable changing my own oil, changing the coolant, changing the PCV valve, lubing the ISS, diagnosing code P0101, etc. this information alone has saved me hundreds of dollars at the dealer.

Because the Intrigue is out of production (mistake by GM) and desire for these vehicles is about the same as a 1975 Gremlin, if you do run inot a high cost repair, you really need to make the hard decision on whether it is worth it to repair or dump it. I'm beyond that point now. My car is probably worth $1000 as a trade if the dealer wants to sell a car; maybe $1500 private sale.

I believe you are undervaluing your Intrigue and I feel it is worth ~$3000-$4000

But you have a point. If you buy a 5-9yr old car that has not been maintained, expect to put some money into it to get it to run right. You maybe looking at $500-1000 (battery, alternator, tires, ignition switch, CKP, CPS) And that is $500 not including a GM serviceman at $60-100 an hour.

I am unsure if this forum is in the proper format to even handle these type of problematic cars. You almost need a forum dedicated just to the Intrigue with diagrams, video etc. This forum can correct maybe 1 or 2 problems at a time, but when you have multiples and people using crappy parts (e.g., spark plugs) or improper maintenance (e.g., DexCool not swapped) this forum isn't really gonna work. + the newer people usually don't have an ODB2 reader etc = they are coming with many problems and little to diagnose their problems with little technical ability + tools.

I am looking forward to $500-$1500 Intrigues because I believe they are great cars to drive if maintained properly. Few cars are better. GM has newer engines that are similiar to the 3.5L LX5.

I would even be interested in buying Intrigues and helping other people out for parts. Trading or whatever.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Originally Posted by panzer dragoon

I believe you are undervaluing your Intrigue and I feel it is worth ~$3000-$4000

But you have a point. If you buy a 5-9yr old car that has not been maintained, expect to put some money into it to get it to run right. You maybe looking at $500-1000 (battery, alternator, tires, ignition switch, CKP, CPS) And that is $500 not including a GM serviceman at $60-100 an hour.

I am unsure if this forum is in the proper format to even handle these type of problematic cars. You almost need a forum dedicated just to the Intrigue with diagrams, video etc. This forum can correct maybe 1 or 2 problems at a time, but when you have multiples and people using crappy parts (e.g., spark plugs) or improper maintenance (e.g., DexCool not swapped) this forum isn't really gonna work. + the newer people usually don't have an ODB2 reader etc = they are coming with many problems and little to diagnose their problems with little technical ability + tools.

I am looking forward to $500-$1500 Intrigues because I believe they are great cars to drive if maintained properly. Few cars are better. GM has newer engines that are similiar to the 3.5L LX5.

I would even be interested in buying Intrigues and helping other people out for parts. Trading or whatever.

I live in a small city in Oklahoma and am seeing more Intrigues driving around than ever before. This forum is valuable both for those folks who are doing to work on the car themselves as well as those who want to have some idea what is wrong before taking it to the dealer.

[maxwedge]

I agree with panzerdragoon here. The issues stated in some forums require on site diagnosis and cannot be performed from a desk, general info and trying to point someone in the right direction in most cases is about all we can do. A scanner, knowledge of electronics and wiring diagrams are a prerequisite and we are still unable to determine the extent of the skill levels of most the posters. These discussions can go on for an unreasonable length of time as guess work and vague suggestions take over.

[amhinton1969]

Originally Posted by panzer dragoon

=People are coming to this forum with their $2-3K Intrigues (with problems) they just bought and are expecting us to diagnose/fix them.

Well, true, my Intrigue may only be a $2 to 3k car, obviously with problems. However it's value to ME is far greater. I've had this car for about 5 years and except for the occasional gremlin it's been flawless. I've changed the oil religiously every 3k miles, replaced the belt and a hose when I noticed them looking rough BEFORE the caused any problems. My family and I have taken many trips in it and it is a comfortable, beautiful and until now a very reliable car.

I am not here expecting someone to fix/diagnose my car, I was simply hoping to get a little guidence from someone who may have had a similar problem, or at least determine if it might be something I can fix myself or if it is best served taking it to a qualified mechanic.

Anthony

[maxwedge]

Understood, in the future if more posters made it clear what their focus was, we could be more precise with our advise.

[kmohr3]

I think you guys are under valuing your Intrigues a little too much. According to Kelly Blue Book my '02 Intrigue GL is worth $9400 retail, $8065 private party, and $6800 trade-in.

To back this up a little further, I looked at www.cars.com and most of the 2002 Intrigues within 100 miles of the Chicago area are selling between $8900 and $10,000. If they've been maintained well and are still cosmetically sharp they may be worth more than you think.