1996 Chevy Lumina won't start

sschmal · #1 02-04-2008, 07:15 PM

I have a 1996 Chevy Lumina with the 3.1L engine. I was reconnecting the battery. When I was tighten the positive on the battery the wrench touched a screw and there was some sparks. (the keys were not in the ignition and the neg was attached). With the battery now connected, the car will not start. Nothing happens when I turn the key. Dashboard lights come on but the engine does nothing. The windows, doorlocks, radio, windshield whippers, lights all work. When I open the door a bell rings, there is a clicking noise and the light in the ash tray flashes. I have checked all the fuses in the 2 engine compartment boxes and the one on the side of the dash. Can't figure out why it won't start. Did I mess up some of the electrical. Thanks for your help.

Blue Bowtie · #2 02-04-2008, 08:43 PM

Disconnect the battery again. Always remove the negative first and connect it last, to avoid such problems. While the battery is disconnected, disassemble the positive power node stud on the LF corner electrical center. Inspect each connection there and check the wires a few inches back from the connection/terminal for damage.

Once the power node is cleaned and reconnected, and after about 20 minutes of the battery being disconnected, reconnect the battery - Negative side LAST.

Cross your fingers.

sschmal · #3 02-05-2008, 02:11 PM

Thanks for your reply.

Tried that and it still doesn't work. Any other ideas?

Seems like something needs to be reset. All my other power works. Just when I turn the key all the way nothing happens. Makes a 2 beep chime, a clicking noise and the ashtry light blinks. Like it is trying to give a code for what is wrong.

loosenut74 · #4 02-05-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sschmal

Thanks for your reply.

Tried that and it still doesn't work. Any other ideas?

Seems like something needs to be reset. All my other power works. Just when I turn the key all the way nothing happens. Makes a 2 beep chime, a clicking noise and the ashtry light blinks. Like it is trying to give a code for what is wrong.

you blew the fusable link... its in down by the starter, it hooks into the wiring, there is a "main" cable that comes from the battery, that will be tied into this "wiring", on the main cable stud on the starter, there is two of them, test them both, one of them blew when you grounded the positive to the negative...if that dont help, look to the signature below....loosenut...

P.S. by the way if the check engine light does not come on and stay on in the run position only, the ECM (computer) is not getting power, and will not run spark and fuel injectors... i.e. blown fusable link....

j cAT · #5 02-05-2008, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sschmal

I have a 1996 Chevy Lumina with the 3.1L engine. I was reconnecting the battery. When I was tighten the positive on the battery the wrench touched a screw and there was some sparks. (the keys were not in the ignition and the neg was attached). With the battery now connected, the car will not start. Nothing happens when I turn the key. Dashboard lights come on but the engine does nothing. The windows, doorlocks, radio, windshield whippers, lights all work. When I open the door a bell rings, there is a clicking noise and the light in the ash tray flashes. I have checked all the fuses in the 2 engine compartment boxes and the one on the side of the dash. Can't figure out why it won't start. Did I mess up some of the electrical. Thanks for your help.

why did you mess with battery? you had clicking but starter did not engage? did lights dimm when attempting to crank engine? what is battery voltage with key in crank positon? lots of questions! wire to starter has fusable link but you shorted out battery not starter feed at starter.need meter but the computer usually gets damaged in these accidents........

loosenut74 · #6 02-05-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j cAT

you had clicking but starter did not engage?

the clicking he heard was the fuel pump relay... not the starter... in his own words "I turn the key all the way and nothing happens"...

sschmal · #7 02-05-2008, 11:20 PM

Thank you for all your replys.

Not sure if it matters but I didn't ground the positive to the negative, did the postitive to screw nearby.

Also, the Makes a 2 beep chime, a clicking noise and the ashtry light blinks all start when I connect the battery. I don't even need to put the key in yet.

loosenut--not sure what you mean here "if that dont help, look to the signature below"....does that mean look at the website http://www.topspeedautogroup.com/?

I will look at the fusable link you mention.

Thank you again.

loosenut74 · #8 02-07-2008, 01:42 PM

yep... I have the wiring diagrams, just cant post them on this site...

j cAT · #9 02-07-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sschmal

Thank you for all your replys.

Not sure if it matters but I didn't ground the positive to the negative, did the postitive to screw nearby.

Also, the Makes a 2 beep chime, a clicking noise and the ashtry light blinks all start when I connect the battery. I don't even need to put the key in yet.

loosenut--not sure what you mean here "if that dont help, look to the signature below"....does that mean look at the website http://www.topspeedautogroup.com/?

I will look at the fusable link you mention.

Thank you again.

you will need meter and knowledge of wiring diagrams some electrical experience to find your problem as i believe relays and possibly computer damaged. when connecting battery clicking is common. ashtray light blinking is very strange with ignition key not in car....what is battery voltage with key in crank position? what is battery voltage with no key just headlights on? you must have a meter no meter you will require tech to fix.......

sschmal · #10 02-10-2008, 01:01 PM

Thank you all for your help. Turns out the problem was a car alarm attached to the car. I didn't know I had one. Just bought the car a year ago. Unplugged it and the car started right away.

Blue Bowtie · #11 02-10-2008, 01:54 PM

Aftermarket car alarm? Put it in a bench vise, strike it soundly with a reasonably large, heavy hammer (wear appropriate personal protective equipment). Repeat this as many times as necessary to alleviate the accumulated frustration caused by poorly designed and installed automotive electronics. The next time you consider installing an alarm, remote start system, GPS, or other electronic automotive accessory, remember (by this example) the eventual disposition of any of this equipment in hopes that you don't waste your time and money on such things in the future.

Actually, some of them work, some of the time.

j cAT · #12 02-10-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sschmal

Thank you all for your help. Turns out the problem was a car alarm attached to the car. I didn't know I had one. Just bought the car a year ago. Unplugged it and the car started right away.

hopefully the alarm installation did not involve messing with the oem wires. i have seen many a electrical starting problem caused by idiot half assed connectors that any person with any electrical experience would never consider using for anything..........

Bearwulf · #13 02-11-2008, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sschmal

Thank you all for your help. Turns out the problem was a car alarm attached to the car. I didn't know I had one. Just bought the car a year ago. Unplugged it and the car started right away.

Even factory alarms are supposed to be disabled before disconnecting battery. Otherwise problems like this will occur. The man didn't know that it had an alarm.

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