Intermittent engine not cranking?

2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM
108,000 MILES
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JOE 32
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
So i went to work the other day and car cranked up fine and when I went out to go to lunch it wouldn't crank. had to get a jump. It was fine until today went out to go to work car acted like it was going crank but didn't. came in to call for a jump went out about had the battery tested Thursday they said it was good.
Apr 14, 2012 at 12:11 AM
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SQM
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

First make sure the battery gets properly load tested.
As if you can jump the vehicle and it runs good then next time it does not start you can jump again it points to a bad battery.
It could also act this way if the battery is not the correct size or does not have the proper cold cranking amps. When this happens the battery will test good but it won't be strong enough to start the car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-battery-works
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Another possibility is if there battery terminals are corroded it can act as a bad battery. Make sure the terminals are clean. Also the battery cable, make sure it is secured and clean.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

I have attached diagrams for your reference.

Please let me know of any questions.

Thank you.
Aug 14, 2021 at 11:54 PM
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