1995 bonnieville delays when starting

[rtm1165]

this just recently started, i turn the key and there will be a delay before the starter starts the car or some times it wont say nothing at all,,the battery is fine and there is no pull on the battery. once it starts a couple of times it starts on time ( as soon as the key is turned) where shall i start to look for the problem???? thanks.....PLEASE HELP!!! I AM AFRAID IT WILL QUITE ALL TOGETHER ONE DAY.....

[randman1]

The circuit basically goes:

ignition switch ---- start enable relay ---- park/neutral switch ---- starter.

My first thought is the ignition switch is becoming worn. But first, just try cranking with the gear selector in neutral instead of park. With a test light you can test the crank wire as it travels to the starter. Begin by removing the trim panel under the column. Probe the thick yellow wire and turn the key to Crank. Observe the light to see if there is a delay at this point (ignition switch test). If not, recruit a buddy and check the thick yellow wire at the park/neutral switch on the trans. Have the buddy crank and communicate to you exactly then he/she gets to the crank position. Again observe the light checking for a delay (start enable relay test). Next up is the thick purple wire at the same switch (park/neutral switch test). If you have not experienced a delay in any of these test areas than the problem is most likely in the starter.

[rtm1165]

thanks man, it stop doing it for a while then all of a sudden it did it again last nite , i havent run any tests yet but i have a gut feeling it is the switch, i just tapped around the steering colum and the switch and it started right up within a few minutes, given the history of the car with me it seem that every thing is going bad in the interior, the lite switch, the inside lites, and now this. how hard is it to just change the switch????....oh yea it does start in neutral....

[randman1]

Ignition switch replacement will require a steering wheel puller. Some auto parts stores have a loaner tool program that you can take advantage of instead of buying one. It's been a long time since I've done one but from what I recall it's not very difficult after the steering wheel is off. Getting everything back together is a little tough as there is a stiff spring that must be compressed in order to slip a lock ring over the steering shaft. I believe there is a special tool to make this much easier but I was able to get it without any. I also think a new ignition switch will also have the VATS wires connected. this meand that you will have to fish the wire down the column.

[rtm1165]

thanks again man i was talking to one of my buddies he stated that the ignition switch may not be the problem and that if the key turned the switch it was still good ,,he stated it may be the switch under the steering colum,,i am guessing it is the same thing you arre calling the starter enable relay,,can that be changed???? how big a hassle is it???? awaiting your reply..

[randman1]

It's an enormous hassel to change that relay. It's attached to the wire harness that travels under the windshield behind the dash. You would have to remove the entire dash. Typically, relays have an extremely high sucess rate and do not fail often. I'm not sure that I totally agree with your buddy's theory though. Getting that test light and testing the wires in the locations mentioned above will isolate where the problem is.