Alero won't start, no dash lights

[lemond]

Hi
Here are the specifics:
2003 Alero 3400 V6 Approx 82,000 miles Well maintained.

It wouldn't start yesterday morning. Wouldn't even turn over. There were no dash lights at all but the headlights, radio, wipers etc all worked.

Battery was tested and is fine. I tried my spare key as well as the key I use everyday. Didn't work.

My mechanic can't find anything wrong. He hooked it up to the computer and there aren't any error codes either.

Any ideas?
Thanks
Mary

[Ralph123]

The only time you get codes is when your car is polluting.
Do you hear a click or multiple clicks when you turn the key?

[lemond]

Originally Posted by Ralph123

The only time you get codes is when your car is polluting.
Do you hear a click or multiple clicks when you turn the key?

No. I didn't hear anything.

Mary

[Ralph123]

could be your ignition switch.
Check all the easy things first.
*Does your security light come on?
*Have you tried starting in neutral?
*Check all your fuses
*Check your battery connections, clean and tight.
When you put the key in the RUN position do you get a bulb check on the dash for a few seconds?

[Ralph123]

Check your battery ground too and all the other grounds you can see under the hood that they are clean and tight.

[lemond]

Is there a way to test the ignition switch?

The security light did not come on. None of the dash lights came on. There was no bulb check. But my headlights, radio, etc all worked.

I didn’t try to start in neutral. What does that do?

My mechanic checked the battery connections and the fuses. I’ll ask him if he checked the grounding. (He is an independent mechanic – not a dealership. He said he’s never seen this before.)

Thanks
Mary

[Ralph123]

Double check the IGN fuse. Check for voltage at the fuse location. If you have voltage there then it's time to pull your steering wheel off and check your ignition switch for voltage going in and out of the switch with the key in the start position.

[lemond]

The car would not start at the repair shop. It was dead with no dash lights just as I described. He checked the starter, the battery, fuses/relays and looked for any loose wires. He found nothing wrong and made no repairs. He tried to start it again and it started fine. He shut it off and restarted it a dozen times and it worked every time. He kept it overnight (outside his shop) and it started the next morning. I picked it up after work that same day and it started on the first try. I took it home and it sat overnight (outside - not in a garage). The next morning it's dead again. This time I had it towed to a dealership because my mechanic said he's too busy and isn't familiar with this problem.

If I have a fuse or electrical problem would it be intermittant or would it happen every single time?

[lemond]

PROBLEM SOLVED!

The bottom of the internal fuse box block assembly was corroded and causing all of my problems.

Thanks for your help Ralph123. Your were right about checking the fuses.

[Ralph123]

Thanks, It didn't seem like your ignition switch was getting ANY power so it almost had to be something in the fuse link.

[Sweet_T_Home_Bama]

I've had my Alero for one year and have had to run without gauges working on it. I replaced the gauges and that wasn't it. I then unplugged the radio, because the speakers in the car don't work either and found wires that had burned through the rubber surrounding them. This was causing a short in the fuse box and elsewhere because the radio is on the same circuit with the gauges. I had someone put black tape around all of the bare wires and the gauges started working. Now all the lights are on like Service Vehicle Soon, Change Oil, Service Engine Soon and another light. At least they work9-)

[Sweet_T_Home_Bama]

Read my posts about the gauges and the wires behind the radio. Gauges didn't work and we unplugged the radio and the wires were completely burned through the rubber. There were bare wires behind the radio. I'm surprised the car didn't spontaneously combust.

[Sweet_T_Home_Bama]

I would have the battery tested to make sure you are getting fire from that. If battery checks out and alternator, then check fuses and surely the ground wires. An unplugged ground wire can cause the vehicle not to start. I found that out with my Ford Explorer.