2000 Chevy Monte Carlo Car wouldn't start twice

Tiny
CLAREBOH
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 68,000 MILES
Both times car had been running for about 20 min. Stopped normally for about 30 min. Attempted start and only got clicks. Thought it was a dead battery. 2nd time tow truck was delayed by heavy traffic so it took an hour. Having nothing better to try, I turned the key about every 15 min. On the hour, the engine turned over on the first try. On the way to my service guy, I heard strange click sounds like turn signals only more rapid.
Both times service guy checked battery and the rest of electrical system with everything working fine. It started in the service bay just fine and again this morning. Is this some car computer thing?
Saturday, August 7th, 2010 AT 10:28 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
If you just get clicks, that sound like a sterter solenoid pulling in, it could be loose connection. The battery cables should be checked for tightness, as well as the battery cable connection at the starter. Sometimes the power stud on the starter solenoid can be loose. If all appears correct, it could have a starter that is malfunctioning. This could be more common when hot. The way to catch it would involve checking for a signal at the starter when it is failing to crank. If you are getting signal, it most likely is a starter fault.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, August 7th, 2010 AT 10:43 AM
Tiny
CLAREBOH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
A logical answer. But as I said in the original message, service guy checked out starter & battery both times I had the problem. Unless you are saying this is the only reason and my mechanic doesn't know what he is doing. If that is your conclusion, please be clear.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 8th, 2010 AT 7:40 AM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
I am not saying he does not know what he is doing, and this may not be the only cause for this type of concern. From what you described, the no crank with a clicking, it sounds like a poor/loose connection, or thermal concern. To 'check' something can be as general as a visual inspection, and I have no way of knowing how thorough the check was. If the problem was occurring at the time, a check would include some test equipment like a multi-meter or a test light. The clicking and not starting told me to start with the basics, the 'click sounds like turn signals only more rapid' may be another story. Focusing on the no start, the simplest approach would be to check the start signal at the starter solenoid, and like I say, if it is getting a signal, the starter is faulty. Did the check include scanning for any trouble codes? There is one bulletin that I came across that may, or may not apply.

#PIC3064B: 2000 - 05 Chevrolet WB Delayed Crank or No Crank - kw click crank delay DTC hard ignition intermittent long mode no nocrank nostart power start voltage - (Feb 15, 2005)

Subject: 2000 - 05 Chevrolet WB Delayed Crank or No Crank

Models:

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in the PI.

Condition/Concern:
No crank or delayed crank, may be necessary to hold key in start several seconds until vehicle cranks and starts.

Recommendation/Instructions:
FOR A NO CLICK NO CRANK CONCERN:

If the BCM does not send the VTD code to the PCM, the PCM will not energize the crank relay even if there is battery voltage at the PCM on the crank circuit 806. The BCM will not send the VTD code until the ignition 3 is at or near 0 volts and ignition 1 is at battery voltage or if there is a power mode mismatch. NOTE: If there is a power mode mismatch due to a wire or terminal concern the BCM will not set a DTC if this occurs before the vehicle is started. If the engine is running and there is a power mode mismatch DTC B1440 will set. The ignition switch power modes should be checked on the scan tool and if necessary at the BCM connectors for correct operation.

FOR A DELAYED CRANK CONCERN:

If any after-market devices are connected to CIG/AUX fuse circuits 143, remove the device and re-evaluate the concern. These circuits are blunt cut and are provided to accommodate after-market devices. Refer to document number 859128 for the wiring schematic. Any after-market device that utilizes a capacitor as part of its electrical architecture can cause the ignition 3 buss to slowly bleed down from 12 volts to 0 volts when battery voltage is removed from the buss during crank. The BCM will not send the VTD code until this ignition 3 buss is at or near 0 volts. This bleed down can take several seconds depending on the size of the capacitor in the after-market device. If removing the device resolves this condition, the device must be removed or relocated to different circuits.

Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

Models:
(2000 - 2005 Chevrolet Impala) and (2000 - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 9th, 2010 AT 9:40 PM
Tiny
CLAREBOH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
This really helps. My service guy has taken car of the car for 5 yrs. However he works on a lot of different makes and models. He has always seemed honest and straight forward. He will not, however, make suggestions when a test doesn't pass or fail. I guess his attitude is that this
is a dealer mechanics problem.
I can work with this.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 10th, 2010 AT 5:54 AM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
Let me know, and I can try and be of further assistance if need be.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 13th, 2010 AT 9:33 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links