Everything works, but the car won't turn over.

SarahKaleone · #1 08-21-2004, 08:21 PM

I was just driving my car like normal...stopped at a friend's house for ten seconds. Went back out to the car, stuck the key in, turned it...NOTHING!!!!! No click...no sound, no give...nothing. Everything else works...the lights...the radio...you can start it from under the hood and it sounds like it is going to go..then it just quits. We tried to jump it...that was fine. The starter works. I have gas...I have oil...but I'm losing my sanity...help!

SpitAndDirt · #2 08-21-2004, 08:37 PM

Can you give any other details? What year and engine is it?

SpitAndDirt · #3 08-21-2004, 08:42 PM

I can't tell you if you have a problem with your wiring or not, because you say you can start it from underneath the hood. How did you do that? Did it just crank or did it start? Were you able to drive it or no? If it didn't start, you could be looking at bad battery connections. Do you have nasty battery connections? I bet your battery is underneath the washer fluid bottle isnt it? If you have those jumpstart posts, and used them, the battery is by passed. The battery may only have enough juice to run the interior accessories, but not enough juice to get the starter to crank over. I need more info in order to help you anymore. -Chris

SarahKaleone · #4 08-21-2004, 08:48 PM

It is a 3100...V6. 1996....

We jumped the starter and it started. It ran for about 5 seconds then stalled. My dad said that it turns over fast and he thinks there is a full charge...ignition maybe?

SarahKaleone · #5 08-21-2004, 08:49 PM

wasn't able to drive it, and the battery is brand new...I think I replaced it maybe 3 months ago

SarahKaleone · #6 08-21-2004, 08:50 PM

The security light is flashing also...maybe that is from the quick start we tried to do...maybe the key is bad. if it is a bad key, wouldnt it just not even give me lights at all?

SpitAndDirt · #7 08-21-2004, 09:09 PM

I don't believe that your key should give you any problems. As long as your pushing Unlock on your key transmitter before you try and start it again. Do you have a Battery gauge on your dash, what does it read with the key on? What does it do when you try and crank it? When it ran, did it run smoothly for 5 seconds, or did it idle like crap then die? Does the car have a alarm installed, if so some sort of kill switch? Is the car still hot when your trying to start it? I need conditions. Your ignition switch could be going out under the dash, it's not unlikely, but I need still more information. -
Chris

SarahKaleone · #8 08-21-2004, 09:27 PM

I don't understand the unlock thing. I havent seen it b4. NO Guage but it has a full charge. Ran smooth..but only when you jump it from the starter. It does not start with the key. It was hot the first time when we tried to start it, but it's cool today and it's not starting. I have tried it at random times throughout the day and still nothing when we turn the key. When we go to turn the key all the lights on the dash come on and the radio works and headlights and whatever...but no click in the engine...no sound...no response from the engine

SarahKaleone · #9 08-21-2004, 09:28 PM

nothing from the ignition

SarahKaleone · #10 08-21-2004, 09:45 PM

We checked all fuses...they are all ok. Put wd40 on the key and stuck it in the ignition to see if that helped. Didn't. im guessing what you mean by unlock is on my remote...did that...still won't start. It just doesn't make any sense. my dad is pretty good with cars but he is stumped. Nothing makes sense. It was running fine and then it just doesn't do anything.
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SarahKaleone · #11 08-21-2004, 11:03 PM

No alarm. In the owner's manual it says that if the sensor on my keky system senses that I am using the wrong key or a damaged key that the security light will come on and it won't let me use my key. If the key is damaged it won't start at all. We have looked at everything else that we can think of, but have no other clues. I can't find a website on the pass-key II system. I thank you so much for your help Chris.

SpitAndDirt · #12 08-22-2004, 12:13 AM

Oh, theres a reset proceedure out there, I know there is. In the mean time, are you using a key that is undamaged? Try this: remove both battery cables and touch them firmly to each other. This will cause all the residual power to be drained and there by "forgeting" anything that might have happened. You actually discharging capacitors in the computer. You won't screw up anything, but your car, if it starts will run funny for a few minutes because it has to "re-learn" its idle. Tell me what you find out. You should be able to take your VIN to the dealer...OR a locksmith that can make you a new key. I might try that first, just to make sure that your key is not faulty. -Chris

SpitAndDirt · #13 08-22-2004, 12:19 AM

There is one last area that needs to be checked. I forgot that you have fusible links down by the starter that may burn up giving you a no start condition. Should be like 2 or 3 of them. Check that none are broken and that you have checked every fuse you have.

SarahKaleone · #14 08-22-2004, 02:25 PM

We tried removing the battery cables and touching them together. We waited a few minutes, then put them back on. nothing. We rechecked all fuses and also checked the fusible links...nothing. Nothing makes too much more sense at this point. If it was going to start at all because of security issues, it would have at this point. We have to wait til Thursday to do anything else with it. I have a car lined up so I can go home and make sure my roomate is taking care of my pets, she is sometimes forgetful! Thank you so much for your help I'll keep you posted as to what happened! Sarah

SpitAndDirt · #15 08-22-2004, 08:36 PM

Sorry, I couldn't help you anymore, but it makes it so hard to diagnose a no-start without seeing, hearing, touching, and testing the vehicle right there. Hope that it doesn't end up costing you an arm and a leg to fix. Keep me informed, as I'm really curious to know what you find is wrong. -Chris

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