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Car won't start

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Old 01-24-2009, 02:33 PM
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Unhappy Car won't start

Ok, I have checked these threads for over an hour now, and haven't found the answer I am looking for. Here is my problem:

I have a 2001 Camaro SS with 116k miles. I was having similar problems that others have had (car would have a rough idle and then just die, after one or several restarts it would run normal, it has died on me while driving down the road, and the starter has also done the rapid clicking thing when you turn the key).

I took it to a shop (dealership) and they replaced the starter, the original starter was resting on the headers, so I bought a mini starter (PowerMaster PN 9509), which worked initially. The jack@$$es at the dealership mounted the starter on the header as well and as a result fried that starter too. I got another starter, installed it myself (away from the headers, it's a clockable starter), and now it won't crank at all.

I have a new battery, new starter, battery terminals are clean, good connections with the battery wires, and now when I turn the key, nothing happens. Initially the starter made the rapid clicking sounds, but now there is an eerie silence. The fuel pump activates, along with all the gauge lights, and I don't think it's the VATS because the security light is not on, nor is it burned out.

Initially, when I measured the volts from the battery to the starter it was 11.9, yesterday it was only 9.5. Also, when I had my wife crank the engine, it was only about 3.5 volts at the starter. Finally, the resistance in battery cable was about 1.5 (if I measured it correctly, which I am not sure I did).

I am about to shoot this car, so if anyone wants to help, it would be most appreciated. A keg of beer for anyone to come out and help me fix it! I live in Maryland FYI
Old 01-24-2009, 02:44 PM
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Have you tried to stark with a charger on the battery.
Old 01-24-2009, 03:12 PM
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nope, I don't think the battery itself is the problem. I cranked the ignition with a volt meter on the batt and still got 12+ volts.
Old 01-24-2009, 03:28 PM
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Is there is any thing wrong with the battery cable, batery to starter. Bare wire exposed and touching any thing.
Old 01-24-2009, 04:33 PM
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Replacing battery cable now. Will let you know..... Sometime tomorrow (ugh )...
Old 01-24-2009, 06:16 PM
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why haven't you checked the alternator? It could be working half *** and not charging your battery all the way.
Old 01-25-2009, 01:43 AM
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Originally Posted by LS6427
why haven't you checked the alternator? It could be working half *** and not charging your battery all the way.
Same thing happened to me on my old LT1 and it was the alternator Unfotunatly it took me months to relize this lol.
Old 01-25-2009, 06:24 AM
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Deal with the latest problem-no cranking. Do you have volts at purple wire on starter while cranking?

Last edited by lovin myls1; 01-25-2009 at 06:27 AM. Reason: mistake
Old 01-25-2009, 10:33 AM
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Sorry, forgot to mention that its a new alternator. Volts at the starter Batt wire was 9.5, volts at the starter IGN wire while cranking was 3.5
Old 01-25-2009, 01:12 PM
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By IGN wire you mean the purple wire? Should be 12 volts- that 12v comes from the theft deterent relay- you need to see if you have 12 going into relay on the yellow wire as well as the brown wire while cranking.
Old 01-25-2009, 02:33 PM
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Correct, IGN = Purple wire. An interesting note, while changing out the Batt cable, I found a portion on the IGN (Purple) wire that got burned. I am now off to check if the relay got shorted out from the IGN hitting ground.

I am not sure where the relay is, so please let me know...until then I'll be out in the garage like a blind man at an orgy....just feeling my way around!
Old 01-25-2009, 03:29 PM
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Crap! I just helped a guy with same kinda problem but his was a '96. wires are different color in my '99 service manual.You want 12volts on Red wire and Dk Green wire at starter relay.Manual says underhood electrical center2 is location.Sent you a PM




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