2002 won't start

[wt02]

Lately, after drives of an hour or more, my 2002 Montana will not start if I
try to start it shortly after turning it off. Twice I have had it towed to a garage only to have it start before getting it on the computer. This is getting
frustrating as a garage can do nothing if its running.

[clgentry]

I have a 2002 Montana also and it does the same thing as yours, won't start after driving. Mine only does it if the A/C is running.

[wt02]

Originally Posted by clgentry

I have a 2002 Montana also and it does the same thing as yours, won't start after driving. Mine only does it if the A/C is running.

After an hours drive I went straight to a dealer. After three tries it wouldn't start and they were able to check it out. Turned out to be the fuel pump.

[PreyTel]

Originally Posted by wt02

After an hours drive I went straight to a dealer. After three tries it wouldn't start and they were able to check it out. Turned out to be the fuel pump.

I wonder if this is the case with mine? I thought it was the 10amp fuse for the CRANK. seemed that if I cleaned the contacts and wiggled it in the socket, the Van started up. Otherwise, all the gauges would light up - and there was a clicking sound behind the glove box. Took to the dealer - couldn't duplicate/fix. Took it to a mechanic - Couldn't duplicate/ can't fix.

thanks

[jfdepaul]

I had a similar problem along with intermittent traction control and ABS problems. I have access to all of the fancy equipment because I work for an OEM. I turned out to be very simple. The starter wiring and battery cable were not wired very well. They simple took all five wires and bunched them together and bolted them down. What happens is that after the insulation on the wires takes a set and compresses afters years of heating and cooling, the wires end up loose and cause intermittent problems.

The wires should be splayed or placed in a star pattern. This way only the metal part of the connections touch. I also had to remove some heat shrink of the battery ternimal to give it good contact. I was really pissed off as this problem has cost me much money and frustration. I replaced my ignition switch, towed it to the dealer, removed the lower portion of my dash and checked out the modules. I replaced the battery when I did not need to.

I have seen many problems on this forum that I had and since I fixed the problem almost 8 months ago, I have had not one single problem like I did before. Please pass this fix on to others!!

Good Luck!

[PreyTel]

Originally Posted by jfdepaul

I had a similar problem along with intermittent traction control and ABS problems. I have access to all of the fancy equipment because I work for an OEM. I turned out to be very simple. The starter wiring and battery cable were not wired very well. They simple took all five wires and bunched them together and bolted them down. What happens is that after the insulation on the wires takes a set and compresses afters years of heating and cooling, the wires end up loose and cause intermittent problems.

The wires should be splayed or placed in a star pattern. This way only the metal part of the connections touch. I also had to remove some heat shrink of the battery ternimal to give it good contact. I was really pissed off as this problem has cost me much money and frustration. I replaced my ignition switch, towed it to the dealer, removed the lower portion of my dash and checked out the modules. I replaced the battery when I did not need to.

I have seen many problems on this forum that I had and since I fixed the problem almost 8 months ago, I have had not one single problem like I did before. Please pass this fix on to others!!

Good Luck!

Thanks for the Info! However, The van has already been towed to the repair shop. Hopefully they will figure it out without incurring to much $$$. I will post back the results! Thanks!

[PreyTel]

Originally Posted by PreyTel

Thanks for the Info! However, The van has already been towed to the repair shop. Hopefully they will figure it out without incurring to much $$$. I will post back the results! Thanks!

Update: 2002 Montana Minivan has been repaired by third party autoshop. $10.00 for the tow from my house to shop. $70 for the first hour/diags. $100 for parts and labor. They replaced wires/parts relating to the Ignition switch. Wife talked to them, so I don't have the full story. Sorry. But it was the ignition. .. THANKS!

P

[toolkit2]

I have a 2000 Montana with a similar problem. Occasionally (but never at a dealer shop) it won't start. Battery seems OK - lights and everything are as bright as normal. Turn key and get nothing (or maybe a faint click - but not like the starter gear moving). This only sometimes happens, and often clears itself up after a while - or maybe even just by turning the key on and off a dozen times.

Twice I've had the thing towed to dealers (two different dealers) and both times it works by the time they get it. They checked everything out and said all is OK - but it's hard to diagnose a problem when it isn't present.

The problem seemed to start right after we got a new battery installed at a local NTB shop, so I have been suspicious of the battery as well as anything near the battery that the installer might have bumped or loosened.

Where is this collection of wires that are mentioned above? Is it in (under) the fuse/relay box? That box sits right over the battery in the 2000 Montana and would have to be moved to install a new battery.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

[PreyTel]

Originally Posted by toolkit2

I have a 2000 Montana with a similar problem. Occasionally (but never at a dealer shop) it won't start. Battery seems OK - lights and everything are as bright as normal. Turn key and get nothing (or maybe a faint click - but not like the starter gear moving). This only sometimes happens, and often clears itself up after a while - or maybe even just by turning the key on and off a dozen times.

Twice I've had the thing towed to dealers (two different dealers) and both times it works by the time they get it. They checked everything out and said all is OK - but it's hard to diagnose a problem when it isn't present.

The problem seemed to start right after we got a new battery installed at a local NTB shop, so I have been suspicious of the battery as well as anything near the battery that the installer might have bumped or loosened.

Where is this collection of wires that are mentioned above? Is it in (under) the fuse/relay box? That box sits right over the battery in the 2000 Montana and would have to be moved to install a new battery.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

8:22am EST. I just called the repair shop to get the scoop on the repair.
They replaced the Starter Relay under the hood somewhere. The auto repair shop we used: Bill Brown Auto located in Canton, Michigan. 734-455-3344. Like you, Toolkit2, we had our van into the dealer last year because of intermintant starts - and they couldn't figure it out. Then the problem returned this past Sunday occurring more often than before!! Hope this helps you! Good Luck!

[1999montana]

This happened to me during the first month of ownership on our '99.

The engine wouldn't turn over, but everything else worked, (windows, lights, accessories) so it wasn't the battery. Tapped the starter with a hammer, then took a screw driver and crossed the battery lead across the solenoid on the starter from underneath, and away it went.

Turned out to be a bad solenoid, but also a flat spot in the starter armature. GM replaced the starter under warranty, of course.