Engine won't crank over?

Tiny
JOSEPH KELLERHALS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 33,000 MILES
Once in a while my Malibu will not turn over at all. I turn the key and the starter does nothing. The battery is new, the dash lights come on, the running lamps come on, but the starter does nothing. The transmission is in park.

After towing the car from my garage to the shop, it started first try for the mechanic. He can't figure out the problem. Could there be an electrical problem that was fixed by moving the car? This has happened twice in two months and will probably happen again.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EUGENE123
  • MECHANIC
  • 273 POSTS
Sounds like to me that your starter solenoid is going out because sometimes they work and sometimes they dont when there going bad
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VULCANKRON
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 124,000 MILES
My car started when I picked up from mechanic this morn had wheel bearing replaced. I went to one store and it started up fine there and went home. I went to leave my house and it started I went back up and stalled. I went to start it wouldnt start. I got it running for min but wanted to stall and kept accelerator rev then it stopped. After that wouldnt turn over just ran the battery dead. There no check light engine on and never had prob starting the car. Any ideas.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,136 POSTS
It sounds like your battery is dead and possibly even the charging system. Start by charging the battery first even before having it tested. A low battery will always fail a load test
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-1
Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VULCANKRON
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I had my car on jumper cables and when I went to start it still wouldnt turn over.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,136 POSTS
If the battery is dead enough cables wont work. If you have a battery charger use that, if not take the battery uot and go to a parts store. They all charge batteries to test them.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 9:58 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VULCANKRON
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 126,000 MILES
I asked this question once and got one reply. My car ran earlier today and was fine starting and when I went to leave 3rd time it started then stalled. I started it again it fluttered for lil bit then stalled. I did this till battery died. I used jumper cables to jumpstart my car and it had plenty charge just wouldnt start anymore ideas then dead battery or car needs recharged. I neve had this problem before. Fuel pump maby and I have no leaks and all my fluids are topped off. Also I have no check light engines on either thanks.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,136 POSTS
If the engine is turning but not starting then the battery is fine. It could very well be your fuel pump then if that's the case. You can put a funnel in the gas tank and turn on the key while someone listens in the funnel. You should hear a hum briefly when the key is first turned
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HOMER1967
  • MECHANIC
  • 875 POSTS
Yeah, it could be the fuel pump. Have someone tap on the center of the fuel tank with a rubber mallet while you are trying to start it and if it starts then, you'll know it is the fuel pump. Or you could also try a few drops of gas in the throttle body or a shot of starting fluid.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VULCANKRON
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It was fuel pump gonna cost me 575 fix it hes giving me 100 dollar discount would been 675 good thing this happen when I was home
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HOMER1967
  • MECHANIC
  • 875 POSTS
I'm glad you got it taken care of.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)

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