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1997 Pontiac Sunbird Turn the key and the nothing happens

Tiny
PISTOLAGRANDE
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 PONTIAC SUNBIRD
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
My son's car won't start. You can turn the key and nothing happens. It seems to have plenty of battery power, the lights are bright, and the accessories all work, but the engine doesn't even crank. I know older car had starter relays, but I don't know if newer ones still do, or even where to look. Any suggestions?
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 AT 11:04 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Shift it into neutral and try it. May be a neutral saftey switch.

Try rapping on the starter while someone holds the key in the crank position. Does it start?
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 AT 11:26 AM
Tiny
PISTOLAGRANDE
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  • 2 POSTS
Ok, I just went out to try that, and the THEFT light is now on. What causes that to come on and how can I get it to turn off.
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 AT 11:41 AM
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
You need a scanner to retrieve the codes. First I would try a different key. IF nothing changes you need to get the codes.
The troubleshooting charts all seems to narrow this down to a bad IPC-instrument panel cluster, ignition passlock cylinder, wiring issue or an ignition switch.
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 AT 12:03 PM

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