97 Grand Am SE... lights up... nothing happens!

[McGyver2u]

Hi everyone....

I have a '97 Grand Am Se 2.4 liter quad 4 automatic... 117k ... occasionally ran rough over the past 6 months... each time I added fuel system cleaner to make it run right again (feared catalytic converter is going due to mileage)

This last time, it happened almost instantly two blocks from home... ran horrible and when I tried to start it the next morning after the engine cooled, it originally tried to start.

Before trying, I replaced the air filter, and used carb cleaner in the throttle body (had oil inside), cleaned the battery terminals.

When I attempted to start it after this, it fired but failed to start. As I continued to start it, I turned it back off when I heard grinding like the teeth on the starter or flywheel was messed up...

Tried a few minutes later... same thing and then all lights went out completely...

An hour later, the lights came back on but nothing as if starting in gear. The check engine light is on, oil light, auto theft light, and battery light is on.

I then removed the starter and solenoid and tested and inspected at autozone... checked out ok and reinstalled. Tried to start, but battery was drained... charged the battery and still nothing... jumped it... nothing.

Removed and tested battery... it was bad so I replaced with new battery since last one was 4 yrs. old... still nothing.

Rented computer code reader from auto zone... OBD-II #CP9135. Here are the results:

Codes: Pass... No codes returned

MIL: Off

I/M: Misfire
fuel system - ready
comprehen - ready
catalyst - not ready
heated cat - not appl.
evap. - not ready
Sec Air - not appl.
a/c refridg - not appl.
O2 sensor - not ready
HO2 sensor - not ready
EGR - ready

My possibilities are narrowed down to neutral safety switch, ignition switch, ignition lock (had problems turning completely off in the past when parked), or what I think most likely is that anti theft system is preventing it from trying to start.

Already tried to reset passive lock system with 10 min. on start position then off X3 with no difference.

Any suggestions? I am trying to do everything myself since I really don't have the money and I need to get it going so I can go back to work... it has been a week dealing with this piece of crap!

Thanks for everyone's ideas,

Sincerely yours,

Don Martin
[email protected]

[GTP Dad]

There are several possibilities. First check to see if you have fuel pressure. The car sounds like it is not getting fuel. The other item is to check for spark. I recommend that you purchase a can of starting fluid and while cranking spray it into the throttle body. If the car starts then the problem is with the fuel pump. If it doesn't start it may be with the ignition module, crank position sensor, coils and etc. Try the starting fluid post again whether it works or not.

[stetzz05]

wow tough one! if dash lights come on when turn the key and battery is up, then i would head toward starter relay, but not firing when cranking is whats confusing. have you tried to start it in neutral?
i have exact same car and have also had many probs with the coil pack( might explain rough running and no start) good luck

[McGyver2u]

thanks for your help... yes I have tried to start in neutral and park with the same no results...

Don

[gmack221]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

There are several possibilities. First check to see if you have fuel pressure. The car sounds like it is not getting fuel. The other item is to check for spark. I recommend that you purchase a can of starting fluid and while cranking spray it into the throttle body. If the car starts then the problem is with the fuel pump. If it doesn't start it may be with the ignition module, crank position sensor, coils and etc. Try the starting fluid post again whether it works or not.

yeah what he said ...

is your started cranking the engine over?
If the motors not cranking then its something other then a spark issue.
does sound alot like a security problem, or maybe an ignition problem if the motors not cranking over

if it cranks check for spark and let us know the results (also if missing spark tell us which cylinders you have no spark)