2003 weird no start problem

[03cavPA]

I searched to see if anyone has been experiencing this problem, but I haven't found anything similar.

My 03 has an irritating intermittent problem with no crank, no start. When it happens, all the dash lights will illuminate, but no power to the starter. Turn the key off and on a few times, and still nothing. I've even tried the "wait for the anti-theft to reset trick."

I've replaced the ignition switch and the starter relay, but no change. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. It's not related to wet/dry weather, or any other common condition that I can see.

Here's the kicker: on a hunch, the first time it ever did it, I pulled the BATT and the IGN fuses out of the fuse block and reinserted them. It started right up. Every time it does it now, pulling those fuses and reinserting them will result in a normal start up. I've looked at the fuses and the fuse block for corrosion, but it all looks good. The battery terminals are clean and tight.

I've looked for loose wires, etc., but it all looks good. Why would pulling and reinserting those fuses remedy the problem?

The theft light on the dash doesn't blink when it happens, but I'm wondering if it's related to the anti theft system? If it is, then it's a darn poor system if yanking a couple of fuses will reset it. Plus, what I've read about the passlock tells me that it will crank but not start. This one doesn't crank, like there's no juice to the starter. I hear the relay click, but I can also hear a relay-type click further down the backside of the engine, and I'm wondering if there's a solenoid problem, perhaps?

I'm also wondering what is resetting with pulling the fuses, 'cause it starts every time with pulling the fuses.

[muff34]

so what happens if you only pull one fuse ? have you tried that or do you know that you have to pull both for sure? maybe a bit of corrosion right in the back of fuse block that you can`t see unless you pull it out ????

[Classicrocjunkie]

Sounds like a dead battery to me....

[muff34]

Altho I won`t dispute the dead battery theory ,I would think that he may get the click from the starter if it was that close to having enough power to start it . pulling a couple of fuses then re-inserting them and away it goes would make me think of other elecrical issues. What the heck might as well try another battery if he can get a loaner from someone to try first. Maybe test the relays as well before buying more new parts. Maybe and this far fetched when pulling the fuse and re`inserting it is tickling the/a relay just enough to get it to go...lol. It`s electrical so anything can happen, just my

[03cavPA]

Battery is good, but I'm probably going to replace it anyway, since it's the original AC Delco and it's going on 4 years. It's been doing it since I bought it in '05, and the dealer's response has always been -- everyone say this together now -- "we can't duplicate the problem."
It's so intermittent and unpredictable, it's hard to troubleshoot it.


I went out yesterday and cleaned the battery terminals and retightened them, then I pulled those fuses again and took a really good look at them, They have some normal oxidation on them but no corrosion. Fuse block sockets look fine. I cleaned the oxidation off the fuses and put them back.

When it happens, I have to pull both BATT fuses. Just pulling one or the other won't do it. Without fail, though, it starts right up after pulling the fuses and putting them back in. I don't know why I thought of doing that the first time it happened, but it works like a charm.

The next time it happens, if I'm not by myself, I'm going to get someone to hit the key and I'll tap on the starter/solenoid to see if that yields any results first. I'm still baffled by the fuse pulling fix. What am I resetting when I do that?

I thought about the iffy relay, but I changed that already. Same with the ignition switch.

I know these damn things have had electrical gremlins all over the place, and I figured it was one of those things that would take forever to track down. It gives us something to discuss and brainstorm, and I very much appreciate the feedback. Keep it coming.

[muff34]

lol lol. get a torch tip cleaner then and clean the contacts in fuse block. blow it out with compressed air . may look good outside but crap inside. just watch how hard you smack the starter .lol

[03cavPA]

Yeah, I hear that. I'll leave the BFH at home, so I'm not tempted to use it next time.

I know people like the AC Delco batteries, but I've never been overly impressed with OEM tires or batteries. Time to upgrade the battery anyway, since it's at end of life, so I'll go that route and take it from there.

This one has been a real head scratcher at times.

[muff34]

ya I`d be one of the ones who like AC-Delco batteries. `00 sunfire still has original battery. Had a `91 Sunbird with AC-Delco battery lasted till`99 . And it got no favours from me cccold in the winter plugged in once in a while....lol I won`t hesitate to buy another Ac to replace this one

[03cavPA]

Thought I'd post the fix, in case anyone else has this problem.

I got a new battery from Advance a couple of months ago, since it was time anyway. Got the highest CCA they had.

Then I went through the fuse block again, in case I missed something. One of the small 10 amp ign fuses seemed a little loose in the plug. I took it out, cleaned it up, and tightened the plug for a snugger fit.

No problems since. Works for me.

[kirkwood158]

Thank God someone actually helped by posting back about problem and the fix.............. WAY TOO COOL THANKS DUDE

Question: was the fuse in the same compartment as the bat ones you where pulling

[03cavPA]

Yeah, it's in the fuse block in the engine compartment next to the battery. It's one of the small 10 amp ones, marked IGN as well.

I was concentating on the big 40 amp BATT and IGN fuses, since pulling them worked, but I went back and checked them all, just in case, and found one of them looser than it should have been.

It might have been a combination of a slightly weak battery and a weak connection on that fuse, but it starts like it should every time now.

Just goes to show -- don't overlook anything when troubleshooting.