starting problems 1996 grand am gt

[hlwoman]

hello i am a newby but i have a problem with my 1996. i have done everything i can think of and then some. my problem is it will turn over but not start. i can push start it. its a 2.4 quad with a 5sp trany. i have had the coils checked and the ignition module checked and they are good. new battery, plugs, wires. when i push start it my baby runs great. can you guys please help me with this before i pull my hair out

[GTP Dad]

Make sure you battery is good and that the connections to the engine are good as well. When you start a car you draw a lot of amps from the battery. If you are not getting enough voltage from it the car will not start regardless of the car turning over. If you push start it the car gets enough voltage since the starter is not turning and that is why it starts. I would try a new battery and check the grounds to see what happens.

Welcome to the forum!!!

[hlwoman]

ok i have tried a new battery and the same thing. all the wiring is good and i have a good ground on it also. what next? someone told me to check the ecu unit it could be sending a false reading is that possible?

[gmack221]

The only thing that comes to mind would be a starter that isn't turning over quick enough to start it. Does it turn over quick or does it sound like the starter is dragging. I have never heard of a problem like yours, but based on what your saying it sounds like you can eliminate the crank postion sensor, Ignition Control Module, coils, wires, plugs, & the wires between them. I wouldn't rule out the ECM (computer) but it seems like it should be good since it starts & runs. I would say your not having a fuel problem if it starts. Look into the electrical side of things.

Look at a wire schematic, trace the wires from you ignition, sounds like the one that runs the starter is working, but maybe your not getting juice thru the run circuit of the ignition. (just a thought) Does the rest of your electronics inside the car work? If not you could have a burnt fuseable link not putting power to that circuit or something. Also check all of your fuses, maybe you'll stumble on something stupid that you'd never thing of affecting it. good luck, keep us updated.

[hlwoman]

ok but do you know where i can find a detailed wiring schematic? i have the chiltons repair manual and i guess i don't understand it. i am not that good with wiring. rebuilding a motor is one thing but this is really weird. thanks for all you help i will get in there and try to follow wires

[GTP Dad]

Gmack221 is right, this is the strangest one I have heard of for a while. It is possible that there is an ignition switch problem, in that it will not sent power to the rest of the system when in the start position. Check to see if there are any burnt fusible links at the starter. If so this may be where the problem lies.

The wiring diagrams in the Chiltons manual should help out. If you don't understand them just remember that voltage flows from a power source, battery to the accessory with a fuse in between in most cases and the circuit must be completed by a ground wire somewhere in the system.