When I try the ignition nothing fires up - totally dead - won't start

2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
110,000 MILES
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2000SF
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What do I need to replace? The passlock module? I was in a small accident with my Sunfire a few years ago. The engine was still running right after but there was damage to the fan and rad so I turned it off. It sat for about a year and then was moved - at that time when I turned the ignition it still brought everything up - the gauges etc.

Then it sat untouched for couple of years and the battery went dead and was replaced. I have now taken it to get repaired but when I turn the ignition there is now NOTHING, no response at all from the engine. What can I do to get some response from the engine?

I had a similar problem with a 2001 Malibu that I had - it just died one day after I shut it off and when I took it to the dealer they said that it wouldn't recognize the codes and had shut itself down. Part of the security features. I believe they replaced a module (passlock?) at a cost of about $500.

I have asked at a local GM dealership they said there is no reason it should not start.

I have tried the 10 minute thingy that I was told about (and that worked on my Malibu) but that does nothing for my Sunfire! Please help - I don't want to take it to the dealership and have them work on it for hours if they don't know what to do with it. The car isn't worth that much any more!

Can you tell me what I can do to get it to start? Or what I need to have replaced on it?

Please let me know if you need any additional information to help.

Thanks!
Jan 31, 2012 at 9:36 PM
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CADIEMAN
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load test the battery and check the connections.start here
Jan 31, 2012 at 9:49 PM
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2000SF
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Done that - nothing wrong with any of that.
Jan 31, 2012 at 9:57 PM
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CADIEMAN
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youll need to check the voltage at the starter and for start signal on the seloniod. when the key is in crank position.
Feb 1, 2012 at 1:31 AM
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2000SF
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Thank you - I will check on that. I really don't think that is the trouble though. Have had issues with the Passlock system before and I think this has something to do with this.
Feb 1, 2012 at 8:42 PM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Does it have a chipped key? The battery may have gone dead in the key.

What did you find out with checking power to the starter and the solenoid with key on? It sat for awhile, make sure none of the wires have been chewed through.
Feb 3, 2012 at 3:14 AM
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CJ MEDEVAC
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I'M GONNA HOLD STEADY ON THE CONNECTION THING!!

SOMETIMES IT'S JUST A MATTER OF GETTING IN THERE, AND GIVING IT SOME "TOUGH LOVE".....NOT TINKERING AROUND!

TRY THIS STUFF, BE DETERMINED WITH THE CONNECTIONS!!!


THIS IS SORTA GENERIC...AND I USE IT OVER AND OVER, AS I HUNT AND PECK REALLY SLOW!

YOU COULD HAVE OTHER PROBLEMS

INSURE YOUR BATTERY IS GOOD...AND ONCE YOU ARE RUNNING, YOUR ALTERNATOR IS CHARGING (CAN BE CHECKED FOR FREE AT MOST AUTO PARTS STORES)

USUALLY ITS SOMETHING EZ TO DO--IF YOU DO IT RIGHT



YOU COULD HAVE FAULTY RELAYS OR FUSES.....SAVE RELAYS FOR LAST! (IF ANY)

CHECK YOUR FUSES!!!---YOUR OWNERS MANUAL MAY SHOW YOU LOCATIONS THAT YOU KNEW NOTHING ABOUT!

REMOVE AND REPLACE "SUSPECT" FUSES SEVERAL TIMES--THIS MAY SCRAPE OFF CORROSION AND GIVE THEM BETTER CONTACT!

THIS WILL WORK FOR YOU, PROVIDED THAT YOUR BATTERY IS GOOD---OR YOU CAN BE JUMPED OFF!!!

REMEMBER "NEW STUFF" CAN BE BAD TOO!

YOUR STARTER MAY BE BAD!

YOUR SOLENOID MAY BE BAD!

RELAY PROBLEM

EVEN IGNITION SWITCH

BATTERY COULD BE BAD!

BEFORE YOU START BUYIN STUFF

Try the stuff below (actions),




IN MOST CASES THIS IS THE PROBLEM!



PEOPLE GET LAZY!----THEY DO NOT ACTUALLY DO THIS STUFF

IT BITES 'EM IN THE BUTT...THEY COULDA BEEN RIDING LONG AGO!




TAKE STUFF LOOSE (REALLY! YOU ARE NO EXCEPTION!!!--EVERY ONE OF 'EM!) -----CLEAN-----"SCOOCH" THE CONNECTORS AROUND----TIGHTEN THE NUTS OR BOLTS WELL!!!!

-----DO NOT JUST PASS OFF ANY BIG CABLE CONNECTION AS, "IT LOOKS GOOD".

IF IT IS A MECHANICAL CONNECTION...IT NEEDS TO BE CHECKED



PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE BATTERY POSTS---CLAMPS---CABLE CONNECTIONS TO THE CLAMP (I'M TALKING ABOUT THE OLD STYLE "SQUEEZER" DEALEES, CLAMP TO CABLE)

IF YOU HAVE SIDE POST TERMINALS---TURN THE RUBBER INSIDE OUT/ REMOVE THE BOLT/ SCRUB THE FLAT CONNECTOR WITH A WIRE BRUSH OR SCRAPE IT WITH A KNIFE, TILL IT'S CLEAN---SAME FOR ITS MATING SURFACE ON THE BATTERY!

MANY TIMES THERE AIN'T MUCH SLACK IN THE CABLE----NO WHINING!!!---YOU GOTTA GET IT CLEAN, ESPECIALLY IF YOU CAN SEE "GREEN CRAP" CAKED ON 'EM!

YEAH, IT'S NOT EZ TO GET IN THERE, BUT LOOK AT WHAT YOU WILL GO THRU IF YOU DON'T!

THIS IS WAR--YOU GOTTA CHECK IT ALL--ANY CONNECTION---POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE THAT A BIG CABLE BOLTS TO....GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY!

IF A CABLE GOES TO A BOX--IT GOES ON THRU IT---CLEAN CONNECTIONS COMING AND GOING---TO WHERE EVER THEY GO!

EVENTUALLY YOU WILL REACH THE STARTER CONNECTION (POS)-----AND THE ENGINE/ BODY (NEG)

DON'T TELL THE SHOP, AS YOU GIVE 'EM YOUR $$$---WHILE WHINING---"I WAS TOLD TO CLEAN THAT CONNECTION, AND I DIDN'T!!!"

AS YOU PROGRESS, TRY TO CRANK HIM UP---YOU MAY FIND EXACTLY WHICH CONNECTION WAS THE PROBLEM!

I'VE SEEN THIS SAME CATASTROPHE, MANY MANY TIMES (I SAW IT NOT LONG AGO), AS I WAS ABOUT TO "CAR DOLLY" A FRIEND, WHO SAID HE HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM. I FOUND OUT EXACTLY WHAT WAS GOING ON, SO I DID THE INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC CHECKS. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY I FOUND IT WAS THE SIDE POSTS ON THE BATTERY CONNECTIONS)

.......AND IT'S SO SIMPLE TO FIX!..........SAD THING, WHEN I GOT THERE, NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE 'CEPT AN ATTEMPTED JUMP START....I WAS GONNA HAVE TO PULL HIM 40 MILES, HE WASTED 3 HOURS OF MY TIME. LAZY, LAZY, LAZY

YOU COULD BE RUNNING BEFORE YOUR "CALVARY" ARRIVES!

IF I HAD A QUARTER FOR EVERY TIME I HAVE ENCOUNTERED A BAD STARTING SYSTEM CONNECTION---FIXED EZily WITHIN 10 SECONDS TO 3 MINUTES TIME....I'D BE SO WELL OFF!

RETURN WITH GOOD NEWS!

THE MEDIC
Feb 3, 2012 at 4:35 AM
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2000SF
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Sorry to report that I have tried all of the above and still won't start.

Battery is good - recently new and holds a charge just fine
No corrosion
Fuses are good
Spark plugs too

No reason why it shouldn't start!

Any other suggestions??
Feb 4, 2012 at 8:54 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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See if it will start if you spray carb cleaner in the intake. If so, you have a fuel delivery problem. See if the injector is being pulsed, using a noid light. Check the fuel injection relay and the fuel pump relay.

Make sure it's getting spark. If not, check the crank and/or cam sensor. Check the ignition relay.
Feb 4, 2012 at 10:14 AM
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CADIEMAN
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we still dont have the voltage at the starter whyll cranking.if it was the the passkey the security light would be on.
Feb 4, 2012 at 7:03 PM
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CADIEMAN
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try holding the key in start and tap on the starter to see if it cranks. or you can use a screwdriver to connect the battery wire to the ingition wire on the seloniod the engine should turn over.
Feb 4, 2012 at 7:12 PM
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