Will not turn over

Tiny
JBROWN3912
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE
Okay here is my nightmare: Customer's car would not start after sitting overnight. Turn the key on and everything is normal. If you try to start it you get nothing. I tried a new ignition switch with no luck. So I put the old one back on. I also tried the lock cylinder with the pass lock on it because the key would hang up and you could partially remove the key with it on. Still nothing. It will turn over if you jump the starter terminals across but will not start. I tried a BCM and reprogrammed the pass-lock security system again, which takes over thirty minutes, and still the same symptom.
No remote starter or any other aftermarket parts. BCM does not have anything to do with the starting system. No codes. Ignition switch is throwing all the right voltages. The problem is in the starter relay. It has b+ through the 40 amp fuse in the power distributor box and at the relay terminal. The system works like this. Ignition switch sends two signals to the PCM, a crank signal and a crank relay signal from the PNP switch, this signal tells the PCM to ground the relay which sends the 40 amp power to the purple wire that goes to the S terminal on the starter. I have correct power to all wires except the PCM is not grounding the wire that switches the relay. So after triple checking all wires, one would say PCM, so I got one and had it programmed and still same symptom. I have a fellow tech that works at a GM dealer and he does no have an idea either. Anyone want to give it a shot?

Please help!
Do you
have the same problem?
Yes
No
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 AT 11:47 AM

16 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
There is a starter relay that sounds like it is not working. Here is a guide and the starter wiring diagrams to help you test and see how the system works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the diagrams (below). Please run some tests and get back to us.

Cheers
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 AT 6:27 PM
Tiny
JBROWN3912
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
I wish I would have thought of that before the relay was melted. So I replaced it and the car is fixed! I love this site thanks again. :)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 9th, 2010 AT 2:43 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.

Cheers
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 13th, 2010 AT 6:13 AM
Tiny
RICHARDGILLE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE
  • 2.6L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
Replaced ignition switch, key cylinder, and relay. Cranked for a while. Doing it again.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 3:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
If you are saying the starter motor will not crank, I would have check voltage and ground for the starter motor.

Give me a second for posting starter wiring.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 3:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
There is an early and late production starter circuit, I do not know which one you have? At the starter, black wire is battery voltage, hot all the time. The purple wire S terminal at the starter, goes hot with the key in the crank position, that circuit is wired through the starter relay. You may need to check voltage and ground for the control side of relay.

I would rather see you do some voltage and ground testing instead of trying different parts. There is also a neutral switch involved.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 3:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ERICREED
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2000 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE
  • 180 MILES
Fuel pump was not running, I used ether to see if it would fire and sure enough it did! So I replaced pump. And still no fuel? Not engaging relay and no power to pump what do I look for now? Please need help fast only vehicle we have and need it running.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 3:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
If there is power to the relay and not out, check to make sure the relay itself is bad.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 3:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ERICREED
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
It has always been hard starting since we got it, but yes power to one side of relay but not through it replaced with new one same thing happen?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 3:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
That is odd. Can you check for power from the switch?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 3:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AUGUSTINA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE
I just replaced ignition because it locked up, lights are coming on but car will not crank or start.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 3:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
So the theft light is on?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 3:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AUGUSTINA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes, the security light is coming on blinking.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 3:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Here is the pass lock relearn.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 3:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SORTOES
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Went to start the other morning and when I turned the key all the lights on the dash were flashing and the gauges were bouncing up and down to the point where the temperature gauge and the fuel gauge popped over the pin at the top of the gauge. I have checked all of the fuses replaced the starter checked the ignition switch and still I am not getting any power to the "S" terminal on the starter. Could the problem be the neutral safety switch or what else could it be/ I have to do the work myself because I cannot afford not to.
Please help if you can.
Anthony Stinebaugh
Albuquerque, NM.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 3:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
The only time power will go to the "S" terminal is when it starts and no other time. If it is not doing that then check the items in picture.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 AT 3:41 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links