2001 Grand Am Wont Start

[PieterMC]

I really don't know anything about cars. When we try and start the car up the engine is turning over but will not actually start. The car has a 2.4L engine.

We just noticed one burnt out headlight the other day. Can a headlight that is burnt out drain the battery?

Does anybody have any suggestions what this could be?

[GTP Dad]

The burnt headlight has nothing to do with your starting problem unless there is a short in the wiring. I would get the battery recharged and try to start it again. If the engine turns over too slowly then it may or may not start. Also, check to make sure you are getting spark and fuel. If you don't have either then the car will not start. A low battery will sometimes not allow the ignition system to give full spark and that could result in the no start condition.

[Mr. Luos]

There are so many things to create this.

Since you didn't mention it cranking slowly, I will assume it cranks at a regular speed, just doesn't fire.

My best guess.....fuel system.

[PieterMC]

I think the best thing I can do since I really do not know anything about car repair is to get it towed somewhere for them to look at it.

Thanks for the advice!! This is a great forum.

[PieterMC]

Well I get it towed to get it looked at. It magically starts first time once they start looking at it. They could not find anything wrong with it.

Has anybody else experienced this?

[psychobuff]

Originally Posted by PieterMC

Well I get it towed to get it looked at. It magically starts first time once they start looking at it. They could not find anything wrong with it.

Has anybody else experienced this?

Just to ease your worries a little. I also own a 2001 Grand Am GT. On several occassions i have gotten in the car, turned the key and it will sound like its turning over but it just wont fully start. What i usually do is try not to freak out. Turn the key back off, then turn it on again and if it starts turning but doesn't start try to tap the gas peddle a couple times. This works for my car. I dont know why, but it does. Hope this helps.

[worldofcars]

Originally Posted by PieterMC

Well I get it towed to get it looked at. It magically starts first time once they start looking at it. They could not find anything wrong with it.

Has anybody else experienced this?

My son is going through this right now. He couldn't get it to start; ended up with the car being towed. The mechanic couldn't find anything. It happened again 2 days later only this time the Security light was flashing and the Security System was engaged (the computer thinks it is the wrong key). We learned how to bypass that and got it started (with a jump to a now dead-battery). The mechanic couldn't find the problem again and is guessing at the battery going below the proer level and causing problems with the sensor in the key lock....this reads the current through the key and sends it back to the computer. It hasn't happened for 2 days now BUT I spoke to the Service Advisor at a delear this morning. To him it sounds like a Remote Starter causing problems with the Computer reading of the current being fed through the key? Interesting...he didn't know my son has a Remote Starter and has had a few problems with it...causing him to stop using it for the past month. We are going to pay the $35.- at a local shop to get the Remote Starter (3-4 years old) removed versus spending the next $200 on a new Key/Sensor Module assembly (which could also be the problem)...Won't know if this is the problem, but we'll spend $35 and see if the dealer's right? Good luck!

[ozarkstud]

When you turn the ignition do the dash LEDs light up?

I had this problem where my 2001 GA SE would not start all of a sudden. The stereo and other items that run off the switching voltage would turn on but the dashboard remained off, so the car would not start. It turns out it happened to be a loose fuse socket. Be jiggling the fuse on the drivers side dash the lights came back on. I also discovered loose electrical connections can also cause the "Check Engine Soon" light to appear.

Hope this helps.

[brittyb22]

PieterMC,
I have a 2001 grand am gt and i have the same problem, but mine is a 3.4l so i dont know if there would be adifference but mine does that too. It turns over but wont start.....Do you mess with your locks? everytime i mess with my locks it does it....first of all do you have a security system on it?....and do you have the original key to it because if you dont that is your problem right there.....if you have the right key,try this ....when it does it again put your key on to the ON position....the security light will flash....leave it there until it goes off....it will range from anywhere from 11 to 15 mins. when it goes off....turn the key to OFF and then try to start it.....works on mine everytime. It has something to do with the Auto theft defferance system.

Originally Posted by PieterMC

I really don't know anything about cars. When we try and start the car up the engine is turning over but will not actually start. The car has a 2.4L engine.

We just noticed one burnt out headlight the other day. Can a headlight that is burnt out drain the battery?

Does anybody have any suggestions what this could be?

[Guard_gnome]

I was having trouble with my lock cylinder that is in the ignition, so i changed it out with a new one and now the cylinder works great but the car wont start, everything electrical works fine but the start does nothing. When you turn the key the power flashes like it wants to start but nothing else happens, i was wondering if anyone has run into this problem or has any idea why its doing this.

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF Guard_gnome.

Sorry but you'll need to start your own thread on this.

We dont bring up posts older then 3 months
This outlined in the Community Participation Guidelines which you should have read.

THIS IS CLOSED!