Cannot start 1999 Lumina

[alberto98]

I do not know. Sometimes this car drives me nuts. When it does not start, it is lke if it did not have any electrical curent at all. Other times, the fuel pump makes intermitent noises.

[alberto98]

Sometimes, when I try to turn the engine nothing happens at all. It is like there was no power at all in the ignition system. After that, the alarm is activated and it goes crazy. That is why I figured out that this was a problem related to the alarm system.

[basic122]

Well I tried all of the suggested ways to get my 1999 Lumina and the only way I got it running was with the screwdriver on starter. Could someone point me in the right direction on any other ways to get my car running? Thanks in advance (there is no power coming to the starter on the small wire to the solide ) purple wire

[tblake]

could be your starter kill relay for the VATS system, or could be a faulty ignition module. Check all your ignition fuses.

[Blue Bowtie]

Originally Posted by Hearts88

No offence, but what does the miles of the car have to do with the Chip?

What he is referring to is that on the ignition key on some of the Lumina's there is a black "chip". Electronic chip. When you insert the key not only do the tumblers have to line up for the key to turn but the "programing" on the chip has to match whats inside the sterrring column.

That "chip" is nothing more than a resistor pellet. There are 15 different resistances used by this GM VATS system to combine with about 10,000 different key pinning combinations to make a thief's job that much harder. There is nothing in the column-mounted lock cylinder but a pair of leaf contacts to connect to the resistor pellet on the key. The wires from this run down the column to the BCM.

Try cleaning the leaf contacts in the lock cylinder with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol. Make sure the ignition key is clean. AVOID any type of spray lubricant in lock cylinders, since these only tend to gum up and insulate the contact leaves. Lock sylinders should ONLY be lubricated with powdered graphite - That goes for the door and deck lid locks, too.

Beyond cleaning the key and contacts, you can check the connector at the base of the steering column, or start diagnosing the VATS using the factory troubleshooting procedure.

[basic122]

I want to thank Tb lake and blue bowtie With your help the car now starts . It was in the ignition switch where the problem was . Again thanks for the information, because without it I was giving up.

[richtazz]

I would start by disconnecting and removing the aftermarket alarm/remote start unit. They rarely get along with OEM security systems, and can cause all sorts of issues. Most use a spare key plugged into a module to fool the BCM into thinking the right key is inserted so it will start. If the chip/transistor in that key is bad/dirty/missing, it will cause the alarm/remote start to go stupid.

[Blue Bowtie]

AMEN to that, richtazz!

Aftermarket alarms, remote start and lock systems are made to SELL, not to be installed on vehicles. Sometimes, the hardware is just fine, but the "professional" installations leave a lot to be desired - Butt spliced crimp connections, no solder anywere, no fusing or protection, incorrect wire colors, poor insulation and wire protection techniques, lazy wire routing, etcetera.

Some of them are junk no matter how careful and meticulous the installer might be.

[tblake]

well, my remote starter works 100%. I had it installed professionally, and the hardware was carefully researched, and by no means was cheap. I can start my car from a quarter mile away, and thats the cheaper of the 4 models. LOL. I have also installed a bunch alreadt, 2 were cheap ones, and one was the same model i have. Guess which one didn't start causing problems within a month.....

[richtazz]

My opinion on A/M remote starts, if it comes with a DIY installation video, you might as well start now, as it will make you in the near future.

[tblake]

yeah, both of the shitty ones i put in came with the DIY manual. I didnt follow them, sometimes i dont think those people know what they are talking about either. "Find the purple starter soloniod wire, cut it and attempt to start your car with a key. If it doesnt crank, crimp them backtogether along with the blue wire from the remote start unit". ITS CALLED A MULTIMETER!!!!!!!!!! But yeah, ne shitty one was a boa made by dei that came from target, and the other was a shitty bulldog that came from wall-mart. Mine is an ultra-start made by AST, i had to order off the net. It had everything needed, minus the DIY guide. The best part was lock and unlock and trunk are all on one remote along with start and it looks just like my factory remote key fobs. Gotta love it.

[richtazz]

excellent, sounds like a nice unit, didn't know there was such a thing.

[tblake]

www.ultrastarters.com, i have the 1250

[tblake]

i guess the dont make the 1250 anymore, the 1270 is the closest to it. Looks to be the same. I got mine for 80 from a different site shipped to me.