96 won,t start=

[jamesmetairie]

a friends 96 lumina won,t start . he says acts like it,s ignition switch. suspects it,s passive security system. any idea,s appreciated.

[jeffcoslacker]

Try giving the starter a whack with a light hammer while somebody holds the key all the way over to "start", sometimes on GM's the starter will hang in a dead spot, jarring it will get it turning again.

My '97 went through a period of that a month or so ago, I was prepared to put a new starter on, but then it didn't do it anymore after I cleaned up the terminals at the starter.

It'll probably wait for the coldest week in the winter to crap out...so I can lay on the ground and fix it...


If the starter is cranking, ignore the above. If your friend has a spare key, try it. Sometimes it will contact differently if the VATS system is what's keeping it from starting.

Otherwise, the usual suspects, IM, crank sensor, etc.