Engine wont start, clicking noise

[jwieman]

I really hope someone can help, my engine will not start, it just clicks one time each time i try to start it. I have had the battery checked and that was good, replaced the starter and still does not work. Any suggestions?

[richtazz]

Have you checked the battery cables, both positive and negative, for corrosion/damage? What year and engine do you have, different models require different troubleshooting approaches.

[DJ Dannis]

How have you had your battery checked? What is the voltage before you try to crank and while you hit the starter and hear the click. Try to see how far the voltage drops... the battery would be my first guess. You can get a good reading off from the battery while nothing is using it. We'll start with the easiest stuff and I'm sure others will pitch in... Also, have you tried starting with a battery charger on the battery in the start mode? Just some ideas. Other help will be on the way

[jwieman]

The car is a 1999 Grand Prix GT with a 3.8 engine (non-supercharged). I had the battery tested at autozone, which they claimed it was a good battery. I do have some corrosion around the positive battery terminal, but I scrapped it off. When i pulled the old starter out, the casing for the gear box was completely snapped off of the starter. Hopefully this info helps.

[richtazz]

Did anything else happen that led to your no start situation? With the old starter being broken, it sounds like your motor is siezed. Can you roll the engine over by hand using a socket on the harmonic balancer bolt?

[jwieman]

Could you tell me where to find the harmonic balancer bolt? Also, could you explain in further detail what I would be looking for?

[jwieman]

I am assuming that if an engine is seized it = blown?

[jwieman]

I was able to manually turn a pully located at the bottom of the engine. Is that the bolt you are referring to?

[richtazz]

The harmonic balancer is what the main belt pulley in the center at the bottom is attached to. If this can be turned by hand easily, you have serious problems (a broken crank). If it takes effort, but still turns, then at least the motor isn't siezed and the crank isn't broke. Before the starter went and broke, did the starter ever engage after the engine was started (bad ignition switch), or did it ever make any scary clanging/ screeching noises (bad flywheel/starter drive)? Also, is the click a loud clank, or a faint click? Have the new starter checked too, it's possible you got a bad new one.

[jwieman]

I really appreciate all of the advice that has been given thus far.

The harmonic balancer did not turn easily, but it did turn. There were no indications that anything had gone bad other than my car started to spit and sputter right before all of this started to happen. It was after a 25 minute drive and I was accellerating after a complete stop. It sounded as if the engine was not getting gas.

Prior to replacing the bad starter, but when the car would not start, i was hearing a faint click, it did not sound as if it was coming from the engine, but it was coming from under the hood. Now, with the new starter, i hear a much louder click, and that click is coming from the engine. When the key is turned, it sounds as if something is firing in the engine but it is just for a split second.

[jwieman]

Does anyone know if a auto trouble code reader will work on the 99 grand prix gt?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by jwieman

Does anyone know if a auto trouble code reader will work on the 99 grand prix gt?

Are you referring to an odb-ii scanner?

Any odb-ii scanner should work or you have a problem. However, some may only readout generic DTCs where the better ones will readout GM Extended Codes.

[richtazz]

On the starter issue, the click you are hearing could be the starter relay energizing, or the starter solenoid engaging. You need to see if you're getting power to the "s" terminal on the starter. This wire (normally purple), should only be hot in the start position. If no power there, then you need to check the starter relay in the underhood relay center, and/or try starting the car in neutral instead of park, as the transmisison safety switch may be faulty in the park position.

[fst100]

could be the ignition module located in the steering column.

[churley]

I had this problem about a month ago. You said the battery has been tested and is ok..is it fully charged? Connect the starter to the battery(not sure how to do it, my father did it for me). If the starter turns and the battery is ok...theres a good chance its the ignition switch in the stearing column. Cost about $125 at the dealer.