Engine will not crank over?

Lets see if the starter is getting a trigger signal this guide will show you how.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

and this guide will help you reset the alarm in case that is the problem as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

Please run down these guides and report back.

Yep, the new starter we got was defective, got a AC delco unit turns over great! thanks for the guides.

I have a 2005 pontiac grand am, I went to start it after class this morning and it wouldn't start. All the lights came on but not the radio. This has happened before but the radio did come on the problem was that it was not in park all the way. I took it out of park and put it back in about 5 times. Also yesterday on my way to class, the car was making a weird clicking noise that sounded like my turn signal was on but it was much faster then it would slow and it stopped after 5 min. I don't know if that info would help.

Are you saying it cranks good but won't start or it won't even crank? If it cranks good but won't start, have a helper crank it while visually check for spark at the plugs. If you have spark everywhere, use a gage and check fuel pressure. Can't rule your security system, at the moment, is the lite on or flashing?

It doesn't crank. It gives a little murmuring sound for about 5 sec then it stops.

Have the battery tested and the charging system. If you have a digital multimeter, we can help you do some testing.

my car wont start and the starter in good the battery is brand new and the quel is good too i dont know why my car wont start all the electrical starts my radio and the lights and the locks and the windows all work the engine will make no noise and i have no idea whats wrong with this car

No crank at all/nothing/nada:

Could be the starter, starter relay, park and neutral switch and ignition switch assuming the battery and connections are good.

Was fine driving and then gauges stopped working and it started cutting out when stepping on gas, would not shift in into lower gear in auto transmission while driving. Now it will not turn over but can hear fuel pump turn on. What ever happened did blow one fuse, now gauges work. I can start it from starter it will start and then shut off every time. I have switched all relay fuses around and did not work, battery is good and has over a half tank of gas in it plus a new starter. Replaced the whole ignition but still did same thing so put the old one back in and took used one back. I was having problems with security having to wait until it stopped blinking and then it would start but before this light has been stuck on. If you have any idea about this problem I would greatly appreciate it, thank you.

Hello,

It sounds like the immobilizer is engaged. Does the security light flash when you try to crank it over? Here are the wiring diagrams for the starter motor and security system so we can see how it works. There is a starter relay that needs to be checked. Here is a guide to help us get started:

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

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

I drove my car to the store and when I got in to leave my car wouldn’t crank. I can hear the starter make a click noise. My headlights and radio and power windows work fine. Please help.

Welcome to 2CarPros.

First, understand that it could be a weak battery even though the other things are working. I am going to provide a few basic tests to determine if it is a connection issue, weak battery, or the starter. I suspect it may be the starter, but lets be sure.

First, confirm the battery terminals are clean and tight.

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

Next, load test the battery following this link:

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

If the battery terminals are clean and tight, the battery checks good, then I suspect it is the starter. Follow this test:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Here are a few links you may find helpful when testing the starter and wiring:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

______________________

Please understand that since you hear only a click from the starter, any of the three things I mentioned could be the issue. If you determine the starter is bad, here is a link that explains in general how one is replaced:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

_____________________

Here are directions specific to your vehicle for replacement:

2005 Pontiac Grand AM V6-3.4L VIN E
Procedures

STARTER MOTOR REPLACEMENT

REMOVAL PROCEDURE
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
3. Remove the flywheel inspection cover bolts.
4. Remove the flywheel inspection cover.


pic 1

5. Remove the electrical connections from the starter motor.


pic 2

6. Remove the starter motor mounting bolts.
7. Remove the starter motor.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

pic 3

1. Install the starter motor to the engine.

NOTE:
- Before installing the starter motor to the engine, tighten the nut next to the cap on the solenoid BAT terminal. If this terminal is not tight in the solenoid cap, the cap may be damaged during installation of electrical connections and cause the starter motor to fail later.
- Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

2. Install the starter motor mounting bolts.

Tighten the bolts to 40 Nm (30 lb ft).


pic 4

3. Install the electrical connection to the battery terminal on the solenoid.

Tighten the battery terminal nut to 17 Nm (13 lb ft).

4. Install the electrical connections to the S terminal on the solenoid.

Tighten solenoid S terminal nut to 3 Nm (27 lb in).

5. Install the flywheel inspection cover.
6. Install the flywheel inspection cover bolts.

Tighten the flywheel inspection cover bolts to 10 Nm (89 lb in).

7. Lower vehicle.
8. Connect the negative battery cable.

______________________

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

check for loose wires like starter cable, engine ground, body ground etx.

also try resetting anti theft on this. see pic

I have had the starter tested and that was not it. Any help would be appreciated. This is the second time it has done this, the first time it was able to be started by doing something to the starter. however; this time it did not work. i had the starter taken off and tested when tested it was fine. the lights and everything inside works it will just not turn over.

If the starter is good, you need to check to see if there is power to it in the start position. If there isn't, you need to work back to the starter relay, ignition switch... NOTE: Always make sure the battery is fully charged and all connections are clean and tight.

STARTING PROBLEM: 2004 Pontiac GrandAm SE; 3.4L V6; Fuel Injected; VIN ID "E"; 102,000miles; Was running fine, then wouldn't start. Turn key to start - NOTHING...no solenoid click, no starter turning. Battery OK (power windows, lights, wipers, etc. all work fine)...jump-staring from another vehicle didn't work. Tried direct "jump" across starter/solenoid terminals....solenoid engaged, starter ran, & engine turned over (sounded OK), but even w/ key ON, engine didn't start. Checked relays & fuses - all seem OK. I'm stumped. Possible ignition key/switch problem? Open to all suggestions - especially those that are simple, I can do myself & are free/cheap! THANKS!

try resetting anti theft like it shows in pic, GM changed anti theft around the age of your vehicle but this may not be correct. ifyou have a manual check in that as well fro resetting security system. a lot of times with no starts this is the problem.if it still doesn't stat have a pro scan it as it still may be a security issue but he will need to find problem with it.

Thanks for your quick response! The Dashboard Security light had crossed my mind as a possible cause of the starting problem....it's been ON constantly since I had some cooling system work done on this car last November. However, the car's started & run OK since then, so I've ignored the light. Anyhow, I tried your suggested fix and, WOW, it worked! My Grand Am now promptly starts & runs fine....restarted 3-4 times...all OK...and, best of all - that pesky Security light is no longer glaring at me from the dashboard. MANY THANKS & have a great week!!! JM

Security light has been flashing every once in a while.Yesterday, after running a couple of errands, the car wouldn't start at all. Not sure if it's the antitheft system, starter, calanoid, or something else. Had to be towed home. Any suggestions?

If its cranking over the starter is doing its job -I say have the anti theft device checked out

When the problem occurs, are you saying it cranks good but won't start or it won't even crank? If it won't crank, did you try cranking in neutral? Battery has a full charge and connections are clean and tight? You can check the circuits at the starter relay.

I had a security relearn procedure right in front of me, went to look at something else, now, I can't find it again? Try to start vehicle, if security lite is on or flashing, leave the key on, see if lite will go out, may take 10 minutes or so, then cycle the key to off, try to restart.

I have a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am. My car won't start unless I get a jump. No lights come on either. My battery is a few months old. Is this my alternator causing the problem or wires?

Have charging system checked and battery load tested.

Once car is started, take a meter and measure voltage across batt. terminals, should be near 14 volts, if it isnt, the charging system is not working, if it is working, take the battery in and have it load tested, if battery is ok, you may have a draw that is draining the batt. overnight. In this case you would have to perform a battery draw test.

I have a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am and about two weeks ago it would not start. I thought it may have been the battery, so I had a relative give me a jump to see if my car would crank. It started and then immediately died. Being that it died so quickly, we figured it was the battery and purchased a new battery. The new battery was installed and the car immediately started. It cranked a few times was driven around that same day and then when I attempted to crank it for about the fifth time that day, it would not crank. I thought the cell in the battery may have been no good so I took the battery back and had it replaced under the warranty. The new battery has done the exact same thing. The car cranked a few times and now it will not. I have been told it may be my alternator. However, I took the car to Auto Zone and they ran a test on my alternator and I was informed that my alternator is fine. I do not know what is going on and I need my car. Can someone please tell me what may be the issue? I am at my whits end and cannot seem to find out what is wrong with my car at all.

Your car has all the symptoms of an alternator that isn't charging for one reason or another. I think I would have the charging system tested someplace other than autozone. Those guys aren't techs, just parts salesman.

I assume you are having these problems during the day when the car is being used. If this issue is showing up first thing in the morning after the car has been parked all night, then you need to test for a parasitic draw on the battery from something not shutting off.

Car was running fine recently then one day after being ran for about 30 minutes around town I got in it and turned the key but absolutely nothing was happening. Battery was tested at 100%, then the starter tested bad so I replaced it. Still nothing. Fuses look fine and I don't think it's the ignition switch because all the warning lights come on.

Hello,

It could be your alarm or the starter has gone out here are guides to help you fix the problem

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down these guides and report back.

My 2004 Pontiac Grand Am with 46,000 miles has decided it won't start. About a month ago after getting gas the engine wouldnt turn over, nor make any effort to start at all. All the lights and radio and power windows and such worked. We had it towed to the dealer and they said that it was just a loose connection to the computer and that they were only going to charge us for the diagnostic test since they barely did anything to it. Tonight after being in the grocery store for about an hour it did the same thing. I really don't want to have to pay another $200 to have the darn thing towed and have another diagnostic test only for it to be something really easy to fix. Has anyone ever heard of something like this before? Is it possible that I may be able to juggle some wire somewhere to make the connection better. Thank you very much

$200 for a tow? You should get AAA -- $51 a year covers your towing needs. :wink:

As for the jiggling a wire issue, if it has anything to do with the ECU again, well that is behind the dashboard on your vehicle.

Check the battery connection. It is unusual in all the cases I have worked on to have a problem like this with such a new vehicle. Do you not have a warranty on it?

So my car wouldn’t start. Got AAA to put a new battery in and still wouldn’t start. Was able to jump and take it to the shop. Mechanics say there’s nothing wrong they can find with the starter, alternator or anything and that it’s starting fine for them? The only thing that needs replaced is my serpentine belt, which I agreed to do. What could it be or was is it just a one time thing?

Hello,

This sounds like you have a bad spot in the starter motor which can pop up from time to time. I would check all battery connection and then replace the starter motor here is a guide with diagrams below to show you on your car. Use AC Delco starters

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

The car will turn over strong and is not starting.

I have put gas in this car.

I have hooked it up with jumper cables to another car running.

I also sprayed starting fluid into the breather while turning the engine over..

It will turn the engine over strong,and try to start, but it will not run.

The car has always cranked without hesitation before now.
Can you give me your opinion, and some more test to try?

Hello, put a gage on it, check fuel pressure. I'd probably double-check for spark at the plugs. Can you check for codes?

Engine Performance problem
2003 Pontiac Grand Am Front Wheel Drive Automatic

When i go to start the car, all lights turn on, and it chugs but just doesnt have that extra "UMPTFF" to fully turn over and on. Do u know what the issue might be?

Derek

Is it starting and immediately shutting off?

Is the security light on or flashing when you try to start it?

2003 Grand am won't crank when you hit the starter. Not a dead battery, as all electrical remains on when I hit the key. Starter doesn't even click. I shorted the starter with a wrench, and it turned over just fine, but did not start.

Suspect problem is ignition switch. Check small solenoid wire on starter when key in start is there voltage on wire?

There are number of possible causes including the neutral safety switch, ignition switch, starter relay and a couple of fuses and it all has to be checked out.