97 Lumina Won't Start

[theropods]

My 97 Lumina sedan won't start. It turns over and then dies instantly when you let go of the key. Then it won't start again. I charged the battery fully and it held the charge. It just won't start. From reading other posts it looks like the key might be a problem, I am getting a new one tomorrow. Any other thoughts? Thanks.

[jeffcoslacker]

Just a guess, but it sounds like the contacts that allow the key to complete the circuit might be going out. If the new key doesn't work for you, you might have to have the lock cylinder replaced. The key chip should either work or not work, so I doubt that is the trouble.

[theropods]

Thanks. I will check that out as well.

[36Red]

i have had a similiar problem with my 97 lumina not starting

It only gives me this problem when it is raining, but when i turn the key to crank up the engine I dont get any response (not even a sound) from the engine but the radio will come on -- as will everything else electrical

I tightend up the lines on my battery and I did find some corrosion on the battery --- Could this corrosion be causing my engine not to start?

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by 36Red

i have had a similiar problem with my 97 lumina not starting

It only gives me this problem when it is raining, but when i turn the key to crank up the engine I dont get any response (not even a sound) from the engine but the radio will come on -- as will everything else electrical

I tightend up the lines on my battery and I did find some corrosion on the battery --- Could this corrosion be causing my engine not to start?

Could be, a sketchy connection at the ground side can cause this, or a bad contact at the starter. Is this AFTER you drive in the rain, or just WHEN it is raining. The starter is on the front of the motor, where it can eat road spray during rain.

[36Red]

I would have to say my car only gives me this problem AFTER i have driven in the rain

and my ground wire was about 3/4 of a turn loose, and the battery is between 4-5 years old (i think)

[36Red]

i just proved myself wrong - Earlier this day (Typical West Texas Day) it was already fairly hot and my car gave me the same problem starting and nothing on the car was wet or damp

so even after tightening up my battery and scraping off some corrosion off aswell - my engine still acts like it is not getting any power out of my battery

[36Red]

bump

[jeffcoslacker]

Did you check the connections at the starter? Saw a lot of them do this because of bad connections at the bottom end. Do you have other primary power when it happens? Lights, radio etc?