1996 Chevy Lumina won't start

samharris25 · #1 10-21-2008, 09:24 AM

I am havibg this problem with my car wher it will not start. I know some time back the keys was lost, and a new key had to be made. The car was cranking for a little while after that. The car has been sitting fo e about 4 or 5 months. I have just recently had some one look at the car. Telling the guy what I was told what may be the problem, and not really knowing. Which I was told by my fiancee that it was the starter. So thats what I told the guy. He replaced the starter, but that was not the problem. And I also had explained to him that the car keys had been replaced. So I ordered the ignition control switch, and had that replaced. He also installed a push button, to push after the car is turned over, in order for the car to completely start. After that, the car would start for about 5 seconds and cut off. I don't know what else to do. I konw he said that it could now be a relay switch. Which he stated it was located near the fuel pump. Can someone please help!! Can it be the fuel relay switch or the anti theft relay switch???

Schrade · #2 10-21-2008, 10:41 AM

Air, fuel, fire. If it won't start, check those. NEVER, EVER listen to a mechanic who is working on a car, and says it COULD be something. If a part is broken, it shows. If current is not where it is supposed to be, it shows.

COULD??? Tell him to grab a shovel, and put down the wrench.

Air filter OK?
Got fuel pressure?
Got spark?

Airjer_ · #3 10-21-2008, 11:27 AM

You need to find somebody that knows something!

You've already wasted a good chunk of change that could have been spent to find out what was really wrong. If a guy can't tell if a starter is bad they shouldn't be under the hood!!!

And then wiring buttons to keep it running? Heres a novel idea, figure out whats broke and fix it! Thats not directed at you personally but the clown thats been messing up your car!!!!!!!!

samharris25 · #4 10-21-2008, 01:11 PM

Thanks, for the advice. Also do you think that it could be the fuel relay or the anti theft relay?

yahwehsown1 · #5 10-21-2008, 02:54 PM

hAVE SAME NO START WITH 2004 MONTE CARLO ls. gAS HAND DOES NOT MOVE AND THERE IS NO START. wHEN THE GAS HAND MOVES TO RIGHT LEVEL THE CAR STARTS BUT WILL SOMETIMES DIE WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. wHEN IT WILL NOT START YOU HAVE TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES FOR THE GAS HAND TO GO BACK UP. cOULD THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT BE GOING BAD? CONSIDERING PURCHASE OF NEW PUMP! NEED HELP BAAAD! aLSO GETS MESSAGE LOW FUEL WHEN CAR DIES. HAS 3400 ENGINE IN MONTE.

Airjer_ · #6 10-21-2008, 03:05 PM

What engine?

I'm still not clear on what the car is doing. When you turn the key does the engine turn over? If its cranking and not starting than we can play the process of illumination.

I don't recall specifically if this model has a security or theft light. If it does and the anti theft is activated than it will illuminate or flash when its activated. If you don't see this than I would think that the problem is something else. I'm thinking it doesn't and the theft system disables the starter. Again this is off the top of my head. The small wire at the starter is the power supply that comes from the switch. It splits after the switch on one wire goes to the PRNDL switch which then supplies power to the coil of the anti-theft relay. The other wire is the power that goes through the relay and ends up at the starter solenoid. If its not cranking than it would be worth investigating this end of it to see if there is power to the starter solenoid with the key in the crank position.

Do you have spark while its not starting?

There is a test port to check fuel pressure on the fuel rail. If you push in the core does fuel come out? Can you hear the pump running? If you can't than do you have power to the pump? There should be 12 volts on the grey wire all the way to the connector at the pump. I would suggest checking for power as close to the pump as you can with the connector still plugged into the pump.

That should get you started (pun not intended)!

Airjer_ · #7 10-21-2008, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yahwehsown1

hAVE SAME NO START WITH 2004 MONTE CARLO ls. gAS HAND DOES NOT MOVE AND THERE IS NO START. wHEN THE GAS HAND MOVES TO RIGHT LEVEL THE CAR STARTS BUT WILL SOMETIMES DIE WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. wHEN IT WILL NOT START YOU HAVE TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES FOR THE GAS HAND TO GO BACK UP. cOULD THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT BE GOING BAD? CONSIDERING PURCHASE OF NEW PUMP! NEED HELP BAAAD! aLSO GETS MESSAGE LOW FUEL WHEN CAR DIES. HAS 3400 ENGINE IN MONTE.

The first thing I would do is check power and ground at the connector at the pump while its plugged in. I think it would be worthwile to make sure the basics are in order before spending the $$$.

Schrade · #8 10-22-2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samharris25

Thanks, for the advice. Also do you think that it could be the fuel relay or the anti theft relay?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbec1999

Air, fuel, fire. If it won't start, check those.

Air filter OK?
Got fuel pressure?
Got spark?

Check the air filter.
Check the fuel pressure - see youtube 'fuel pressure test'.
Check to see if you have spark.

Probably NOT anti theft. Anti theft re-sets after 8 minutes (or 10).

Schrade · #9 10-22-2008, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yahwehsown1

hAVE SAME NO START WITH 2004 MONTE CARLO ls. gAS HAND DOES NOT MOVE AND THERE IS NO START. wHEN THE GAS HAND MOVES TO RIGHT LEVEL THE CAR STARTS BUT WILL SOMETIMES DIE WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. wHEN IT WILL NOT START YOU HAVE TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES FOR THE GAS HAND TO GO BACK UP. cOULD THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT BE GOING BAD? CONSIDERING PURCHASE OF NEW PUMP! NEED HELP BAAAD! aLSO GETS MESSAGE LOW FUEL WHEN CAR DIES. HAS 3400 ENGINE IN MONTE.

Get a fuel pressure gauge, and a long enough hose to watch it as you drive. Watch for pressure drops...

Do all fuel pressure tests - see you tube 'fuel pressure test'.

Also, start a thread in Monte Carlo thread section - makes it easier to follow.

samharris25 · #10 10-22-2008, 08:41 AM

Thanks for the information, In response to your question. If you turn the ignition over the car will crank for about 5 seconds and then turn off. And yes the security light flashes

Bearwulf · #11 10-23-2008, 03:23 AM

Does the key have a chip in it? If so, any replacement key would have to be made at the dealer.
Have you tried disabling the anti-theft before trying to start?

samharris25 · #12 10-23-2008, 09:45 AM

Yes the key has a chip in it, How do you disable the anti theft?

samharris25 · #13 10-23-2008, 09:48 AM

I did check the air filter and I do have spark. Also I did to the fuel pressure check, that was fine. The fuel pump is good

Schrade · #14 10-23-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samharris25

Yes the key has a chip in it, How do you disable the anti theft?

Anti theft, when activated by a faulty or dirty key, will not let starter engage. If the starter engages the motor, it is not anti theft problem (pocket lint on keys CAN do this)

If it IS anti theft activated, it will reset in 8 minutes (or 10), and you should be able to start.

Air, fuel, fire.
Air filter is ok you say...
Fuel pressure is good (what is the fuel pressure, anyway?)
And you have spark... (all 8 plugs? check the primary (coil) wire).

Spark timing is all that's left, if you know for sure that these things are good. Even with timing WAY off, there should be some popping firing, cause gas does burn, if you have air, fuel, and fire.

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