Engine won't start?

Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Christinate, did you tell them you needed soft/theft system codes pulled?
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ANDREW47167
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 172,000 MILES
My car has a new battery in it but wont crank over it sounds like it is dead but the battery is brand new. Sometimes when I try to give it a jump start it will try to crank over more. I took it to a shop they said it was the coil packs then I took it to Autozone they said the O2 sensors were bad. Could a bad alternator or starter cause it not to start right? Could it be the coil packs or the O2 sensors? Please help!
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
If you are saying the battery is new, yet the car turns over slowly, then remove and clean all battery connections.

If problem persists, remove starter and have it bench tested at most autoparts stores.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ANDREW47167
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Where exactly is the starter located at I have looked and only thing I coul dsee is under the motor and I have no idea how to get to that can you explain how I get to it and remove it?
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
Starter access is best under car. It is located where trans and engine attach.

The starter has a large wire from battery attached to it and solenoid switch.

Disconnect negative battery cable before removing starter.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROB7267
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
I changed everything possible to get my car started but, it still wont start.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Is it cranking over and w/n start? If so do below to determine if its fuel or spark problem

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if so, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, cap and rotor, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testing

If both fuel and spark is present-check the valve and ignition timing, this will lead you to problems
with compression and valves opening and closing at the wrong time/broken or jumped timing
belt/chain.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROB7267
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes I have a white spark and I am getting plenty of gas and all the fuses are good, Coukld it be the computer how can I check it is there an code box under neath the dash on driver side of car?
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the fuel pressure if its within specs and if the injectors are pulsing
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROB7267
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes they are pulsing what can I do to get it started?
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Did you actually check the fuel pressure with a gauge if so and its within specs-and you're getting spark-time to check the valve and ignition timing as suggested earlier.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACKIEMCC38
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM
Computer problem
1996 Pontiac Grand Am 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic? Miles

I want to buy this car and it wont start they tell me it has to be reset codes put in by dealer can you tell me what codes need put in and if I can do it myself
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Is the security light on and blinking
if so turn key in the ignition switch to ON and leave it until security light go out and stop blinking
it may take 10 or so min
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SRKMAMA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM
Engine Mechanical problem
1996 Pontiac Grand Am Front Wheel Drive Automatic

Hi,
I have a 96 pontiac grand am SE. 2.4 quad 4 engine. Last week my car just quit starting. She will start to turn over, but then she stops dead. If I try to start the ignition again she just stops dead again. We have replaced the starter, checked the battery. No body seems to be able to figure out what is wrong with my car.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Welcome to the forum, are you saying the starter won't even crank? Or it cranks good but won't start?
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SRKMAMA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The starter will start to crank and then just stops dead. If I try to start it again after that it doesn't do anything. We changed starters, checked the voltage from the battery.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Did you check the small purple wire at the starter solenoid, with the key in the crank position, that circuit should be hot. If it isn't hot, possibilities, neutral switch-- ignition switch-- wiring circuit. Do you have a theft system?

If there is good voltage and ground for the starter, and no starter action, you might remove spark plugs and accessory belt, see if you can turn crank by hand.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SJGK4H
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 15,400 MILES
The car needs to have the gas pedal depressed to start. There are no truoble codes
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
If you would unplug the mass air flow meter and then start it and see if it starts and idles. The mass air flow meter is between the air filter and the throttle body. Let me know how it goes.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SJGK4H
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
No difference or worse.
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Thursday, July 30th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM (Merged)

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