car will not turn over, however illuminations and every thing else comes on fine

[aubie1]

I have a 1999 ponitac gran prix 3.8 gt. Every so often i try to start the car and get nothing exept for all the instumental panel and radio coming on. I have cleaned battery terminals, bought new battery, new plugs, wires, pcv valve. all maintenence done recently.Thought it may be ignition switch but was told may be something called neutral safety switch. Could this be main cause, if so where is it located and what does it do? Please help guys. At whitts end. Thanks

[GravityAmp]

My 90 gpse did that and I could wait 5 to 10 min. and it would start just fine.I changed ignition switch and havent had prob since

[aubie1]

Originally Posted by aubie1

I have a 1999 ponitac gran prix 3.8 gt. Every so often i try to start the car and get nothing exept for all the instumental panel and radio coming on. I have cleaned battery terminals, bought new battery, new plugs, wires, pcv valve. all maintenence done recently.Thought it may be ignition switch but was told may be something called neutral safetyswitch. Could this be main cause, if so where is it located and what does it do? Please help guys. At whitts end. Thanks

Well thanks gravity amp. I think ill try that neutral safety switch first since its only 27 bucks but if that doesnt work ill change the ignition switch.

[GravityAmp]

Let me know if it cures your prob (nuetral safety switch) I hope it does the it for you take care ....peace

[jessep28]

I doubt it since it seems it's an off and on trouble but did you check the alternator?

Electronics will run but you won't get the car to turn over. Basiclly when the alternator can't supply enough power for car when running it takes power from battery and eventually it is drained.

[aubie1]

Originally Posted by jessep28

I doubt it since it seems it's an off and on trouble but did you check the alternator?

Electronics will run but you won't get the car to turn over. Basiclly when the alternator can't supply enough power for car when running it takes power from battery and eventually it is drained.

How can check my alternator? I changed my battery about a year ago and havent had it go dead since. Also found something else. Car wouldnt start yesterday morning. Still havent put neutral safety switch on cause i had to order it. I put the cars gear shifter between neutral and drive with foot on the break and car started right away. Found the neutral safety switch and it wasnt stuck but felt like it was sticky. Thanks

[SUERED]

Three years ago my sister in law complained of the same thing on her '95 GP 3.1. Except that it was sporadic. Sometimes start, sometimes nothing. I was suspicious of the starter and replaced it. No problem since then. The ground strap connecting the starter with it's piggyback mounted solenoid looked punie and feeble looking-- worn. I think it was cutting out at times on start. The starter is in a bad location in my opinion--it sits up front and gets crapped on by weather factors which affect it's condition over time. If yours is in the same location, I would look at that possibility--electrical malfunction connected with the starting system.

[gahunter33]

My wifes 91 grand prix had the same problem today and
suered hit it right on. I looked at the starter and it appeared at first glance that the tiny wire connecting the two together were fine but I happened to bump it while the wife was turning the key and when it made the connection, it fired right up. I have never had a starter do this before but I guess theres a first time for everything and Im happy thats all it was. Now for the fun part, removing it and fixing it.

[SUERED]

Thanks for the support. It feels good to have a positive input. Pardon my ignorance but I think I missed on describing the ground strap. I actually think that puny strap is the 12V lead from the solenoid to the starter. I assume that because the starter is always grounded by being mounted. Without the car here, and the fact that my keister is resting on this sofa---I shot off that other remark by sheer memory power. The larger cable connections on the starter system are always troublespots after some years---they should all be checked for corrosion and tightness.

[gahunter33]

You are correct, it is the 12v power for the starter. I didnt realize what it was until I dropped it down to fix it this afternoon. I bought a crimp on o-ring connector and reinstalled it within about a half an hour. Wasnt anywhere near as bad as I had expected it to be. Hopefully the fix will outlast the starter.