2000 grand am wont turn over

[dmccune67]

ok i have a 2000 grand am Gt with 3400 motor it started up just fine went to turn around in the drive way the dash lights came on where the ABS sensor is bad, but if u shut it off and started it back up they would go out so i shut it down and went to start it back up and all it does is click, so i thought it was the starter and replaced it, still only clicks. I called GM dealership they said more then likely it is the plastic piece the ignition switch goes in to so i just replaced it and does the same thing.


Any help would be appreciated

[thephantom1492]

There is a relay in the fuse box under the hood for the starter, check it up.

[dmccune67]

how do i test a relay? or is there not a way to test it?

[dmccune67]

i have read and read about the starter relay says relay #54 in the fuse panel under the hood and the diagram on my car says unused so i have no idea

[thephantom1492]

First, did you checked for a blew up fuse?
Underhood fusebox, "IGN-SW BATT 1", a 40A fuse

Power path:
Battery positive, RED wire to underhood fusebox 40A
Fuse to RED wire to ignition switch
ignition switch to YELLOW wire to underhood fusebox.
There is no relay on this car, they just bypassed it in the fusebox.
Fusebox to YELLOW wire to transmission park neutral switch.
switch to PURPLE wire to starter solenoid

Battery positive to RED wire (BIG one) to starter. Your alternator connect to this point too btw, so don't be surprised to see 2 wires on that starter bolt.

What I would personally do:
- Try to start the car normally. Notice the no start.

- Put transmission on neutral, try to start. If it start then your park neutral switch is defective.

- Confirm that the fuse isn't blew up.

- Try to move the battery wire terminals. you should be unable to move them. Also verify for excessive oxidation at the battery terminals

- With a multimeter, verify that your battery voltage is atleast 12.4V. Even 12.4V is low. If bellow charge the battery.

- Then verify that you do NOT have a third party alarm or remote starter. If you do, then suspect it.
- Many of them have an anti-start feature. For alarm it's to prevent theif, for remote it's to prevent starter grinding (as in try to start a car that is already running)
- If no anti-start feature, but remote starter, they actually need to tap on the wire. They are supposed to avoid cutting, but just strip and solder. Sadly, many place just cut and twist.
- If they do, verify that the relay they used is fine and no wiring issue. The usual wiring place is just behind the ignition key, beside the radio. They often break some plastic to reach the wires.

- Then I'ld go at the starter with a multimeter or a test light
- Verify that from ground to the big wire you do have 12V
- Verify that when you turn the key to start (helper needed) that you do have power to the smaller wire
- If you do not have power on the big wire, you have issue there. This big wire is the main power wire.
- If you do not have power on start position on the smaller wire, you need to check at the transmission... This smaller wire is the "control" wire.
- You can confirm that the starter is working by shorting the big wire with the small wire. it should cause the starter to engage. BE SURE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS ON PARK OR YOU COULD GET KILLED. Remember, doing this could cause the engine to start, and you bypassed the interlock safety!

- If no power on small wire, check the transmission park neutral switch. It should have 2 wires: yellow and pink, check yellow.
- If no power on yellow at start position... then the problem is between this point and the ignition switch, probably a third party anti-theif module that you missed.


I assume in this test that the ignition switch is correct, as you replaced it. It would be doubtfull that both are defect, but might want to check the yellow wire with a multimeter or test light.

[Tech II]

If it clicks, check the battery cable connections, that they are clean and tight....check voltages like the Phantom suggested.....

[aleekat]

Jump it. See what happens

[dmccune67]

ok i went to test the small wire goin to the starter and i was by myself so i just took a pair of pliers put and put them on the key and wedged it to the start position went under the car to test the small wire i heard click click click then the car just fired up but i seen blue smoke come out from under the fender well, so im assuming there is a broke wire somewhere in that area gonna check it out tomorrow, i was getting 12.9 volts when i tested the battery, same at the big positive on the starter.. i did have jumper cables hooked up to the battery when it finally did fire up but the battery is not even 3 months old so i dont think that was the culprit..

thanks for the advice guys

[thephantom1492]

blue smoke is a big teller.

You have a damaged wire, follow the wires, one is probably burned up