1997 Chevy Lumina Starting

DRAGONHELL

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA

1997 Chevy Lumina Front Wheel Drive Automatic

There are times when the vehicle will not even turn over. BUt there is power running through the vehicle because all the equipment in the cab comes on, but the motor will not turn over, much less make the attempt. But when you let off of the key, there is some sort of sizzling goig on around a few of the sections in the cars motor. Fiddling with cables seems to work SOMETIMES and I have a hard time with my car overheating as is because of a leak in the radiator. PLEASE HELP! :(

1 Reply

MIDDY

MEMBER
30 POSTS

Got a couple of things going on there. Bummer to have two problems at once.

You mention that wiggling wires will sometimes get your starter to turn. It could be a loose connection at the starter, and that would be good because it's the cheapest of all possible fixes. I would sure get under there and check that first. Disconnect the battery before you get any tools up near that starter.

If those starter wires aren't loose, then pay real close attention to what wires you can wiggle to make it go. Come back with that information.

Coolant leak - get under the hood, car off & cool. Wipe away any fluids that might be visible. Start up the car & let it run and warm up while you're watching under the hood with good light. Once it's warm, you will hopefully be able to identify where the fluid is escaping. Hopefully a hose, those aren't too expensive & fairly easy to replace. Water pump is pretty easy to replace on that car and also not too expensive, $30 plus or minus a ten-spot. If it's coming from the radiator itself, that's not good. A little bit of work to get it out, somewhat expensive to repair.