Car won't Start - Electrical? Please Help...

all bs · #1 10-09-2007, 10:14 PM

Hi there - here is my problem. In a nutshell I recently replaced my transmission on my 98 GTP with 188,500 miles. Since the replacement I've had ton of problems. I've had all the electrical issues where the traction control light comes on the HUD will flash and go to all 0's the tach and spedometer with jump, the car will sometimes stall once I come to a stop, the engne will act as if its misfiring sometimes.

I had the battery tested and it was said to be bad. I then replaced it and had the alternator tested. I tested ok. One day after replacing the battery all the issues went away.... Until

Lately I would start the car in the morning and it would sometimes click a couple times then start.

Then I let it sit over the weekend and went to start it and all I got was a single click.... the lights and eveything else come on and don't seem dim. I've since tried to jumpstart the car, took the battery back and had it tested changed out the ignition switch, and the starter. Once I replaced the starter the car started fine. I drove it 1/4 mile and it stalled at a red light. I only get a single click now..............?

I'm at a loss - the only thing I can now figure is that I have something wired wrong? How is the starter wired? I believe I have 4 wires - 2 single and a double connected to one stud on the starter and 1 purple wire by itself... is that correct?

I also noticed while changing the ignition switch that I have a wire harness that wasn't plugged into anything is a black wire and a green wire with a white stripe... Does anyone know what that is for?

Thanks for reading and any wisdom is greatly appreciated.

emt1134 · #2 10-09-2007, 10:20 PM

Did you replace the transmission yourself ? What you are describing are symptoms of either loose connections, or something not being connected.. If you did the work yourself, I would go through all the wiring again, check for unhooked connectors, loose/corroded grounds, etc..

BNaylor · #3 10-09-2007, 11:09 PM

Since the tranny was replaced make sure the grounds are good at the battery, inner fender grounding point and at the engine/tranny grounding stud which is where the grounds terminate. On tranny swaps sometimes the ground cables are left off or loose at that stud.

On that extra wire and electrical connector you see at the ignition switch and multifunction switch (MFS) wiring harnesses at the steering column it is not used so don't worry about it. It is part of the MFS switch harness and comes off one of the gray or black connector blocks. Just make sure it is taped up and secured out of the way.

all bs · #4 10-10-2007, 08:19 AM

Well.... I'm throwing in the towel

I called AAA and I'm having it towed to the stealership

$90 for a diagnostic and I'm sure it will only go up from there... I'll let you know what they discover.

all bs · #5 10-10-2007, 11:30 AM

Well the dealer just called.... They unhooked it from the tow truck and it started right up

I gave them the story so there going to wire it up and check some thing out.... Stay tuned.

all bs · #6 10-11-2007, 07:57 AM

The dealer couldn't find anything wrong...

The car is now for sale I'm going to ask $1,750 this may be a steal for someone who likes to tinker with these cars. Its a black 98 GTP with 189,XXX miles. I'll probably do a full write up and pictures over the weekend.

Thanks...

tblake · #7 10-11-2007, 01:28 PM

Did you check the VSS connector on the passenger sige of the tranny? Maybe its loose or corroded or something causing a bad speed sensor signal.

Replaced a Tranny once in a buick with a 3.8 Got it all together and it wouldnt shift past first gear and the speedometer didnt work. Checked everything out, and I forgot to connect the speed sensor again.

emt1134 · #8 10-11-2007, 01:57 PM

Don't give up that fast.... just because the dealer didnt find anything doesn't mean you can't. The dealer might have even just told you that because they didnt want to be bothered.. you'd be surprised at the things that go on in business

GPGT6329 · #9 10-19-2007, 10:18 PM

Hello everyone, im having the same issue with my 97GT after replacing my own transmission. I actually changed the fuel pump believing that it wasnt holding fuel pressure and that caused the stall. Of course it happened again. Anyway, in the morning i will be changing the ignition control module because thats where the tac signal originates so that may be the true issue. So hopefully this will work.

BNaylor · #10 10-19-2007, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPGT6329

Hello everyone, im having the same issue with my 97GT after replacing my own transmission. I actually changed the fuel pump believing that it wasnt holding fuel pressure and that caused the stall. Of course it happened again. Anyway, in the morning i will be changing the ignition control module because thats where the tac signal originates so that may be the true issue. So hopefully this will work.

Welcome to AF.

What is your specific problem? Any other symptoms? The ICM module receives and processes pulses for use by the PCM module to control ignition timing, fuel injection timing and info to the tach, etc. The source of the pulses is the crank position sensor which is two sensors in one.

GPGT6329 · #11 10-24-2007, 10:23 AM

About two months ago i replaced my transmission. at the end of sept the tach began to fall to zero but the car would stay on. weeks later it began to shut off shortly after the tach would drop. at times it would start right away, others it would take a few long cranks.

BNaylor · #12 10-24-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPGT6329

About two months ago i replaced my transmission. at the end of sept the tach began to fall to zero but the car would stay on. weeks later it began to shut off shortly after the tach would drop. at times it would start right away, others it would take a few long cranks.

It sounds like you have a bad crank position sensor (CKPS), wiring from the CKPS to the ICM module or a bad ICM module. But your symptoms is classic crank position sensor.

GPGT6329 · #13 10-24-2007, 11:10 AM

You r probably right. because i changed the icm on saturday, 2 coil packs and a few bad spark plug wires and it is still stalls. It just starts a bit better.

BNaylor · #14 10-24-2007, 11:19 AM

If you like DIY work then you can save money and replace it yourself. We have a procedure posted at our Tips & Maintenance forum. Sensor should cost around $30-$60 depending on whether you get an aftermarket or the GM/AC Delco. See link below.

Click here

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