Will not start sometimes, sometimes fired right up

SHERRYODOM1

MEMBER
1999 CHEVROLET LUMINA
210,000 MILES

Get in car, turn the switch on, fuel gauge goes straight to fuel, car will not start. Leave the switch on might take one minute, ten minutes, or four hours. Fuel gauge will click off full and car will fire right up. Someone told me it might be the security wire located on the ignition cylinder or the ignition switch. Which one of these two is the security wire attached to. I have been stranded so many time in the last month, I could scream.

Friday, September 1st, 2017 AT 10:50 PM

1 Reply

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

When the problem is ongoing, does it crank okay? Is there a security/theft lamp on the dash that is on or flashing? If the vehicle cranks okay when problem is ongoing and no security lamp on, the security system wouldn't be my first thought.
If it cranks good but will not start, check the basics. Have a helper crank it while you check for spark at the plugs. If spark everywhere, use a gauge and check proper fuel pressure and fuel injector pulse. Have to test when problem is ongoing. Any applicable trouble codes? To check codes, at the least, you need an obd2 code reader.

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Saturday, September 2nd, 2017 AT 10:44 AM