KeithZ28ss

iTrader: (1)

I got an 01 Camaro that won't crank at all. I got a new starter (3rd one), new battery, new positive battery cable with clean connections everywhere, 12 volts at the battery, and also at the starter while attempting to crank. When I tried using a screwdriver at the battery on both the IGN and BATT posts, all I get is a spark and, from what my wife says, "activity in the cabin of the car" like the clock turns on and the gauges twitch. When I try and use the key, everything is normal until I turn the key all the way forward. When I do this, all the gauges drop like there is no battery juice, but the battery is still registering 12V.

The starter is a Power Master (PN 9509), clockable starter, and as I have said before, this is the third one, because based off of what I have been told by others, if I get 12V to the starter and it don't crank, then its a bad starter. I am starting to think that that isn't the case.

Any ideas? This is the third weekend in a row I have been tinkering with this issue. It is starting to get old!

wrencher

iTrader: (2)

Voltage drop.
Got a bad connection somewhere by the sound of it. Once you try to load it with the starter 200+ amps the bad connection will show itself. Hows the ground connection at the block on the other end of the negative cable?

KeithZ28ss

iTrader: (1)

I will double check, but I think the ground is ok, I cleaned all the connection points 2 weeks ago, but I'll recheck it anyway.

It has been my experience that most of these issues are caused by minor things...wish me luck.

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

How old is your battery? (You need amps to crank the engine, not volts. Even though you may see good voltage, the capacity of the battery to deliver power could be diminished.)

Try jump starting your car with jumper cables. If it works, then you should take your battery to your local auto parts store to get tested.

KeithZ28ss

iTrader: (1)

battery is brand new

wrencher

iTrader: (2)

Look at this, this is what I'm talking about;

http://www.excelauto.com/online/Tech.d/strvdt.html

02'z

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like a ground problem. Check the block ground down by the starter.

Scoggin Dickey

iTrader: (34)

Can you roll it over by hand to make sure it's not locked up?

KeithZ28ss

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the link, I'll check that out on Thursday...my next "shop day"

I'll also double check the ground

And I am not sure if I can roll it over by hand....how would one go about doing that?

wrencher

iTrader: (2)

Get a socket on the crank bolt & turn it over to make sure it turns over.
If you can hear the solenoid click & engage the starter bendix but the motor refuses to turn that is a problem

KeithZ28ss

iTrader: (1)

Motor turns when I turn the crank bolt. So, no worries there.

Where is the damn ignition switch at on these cars??? I have been looking everywhere, online and under the hood, but I can't find it. $20 says it has been right under my nose. Anyone point me in the right direction?

KeithZ28ss

iTrader: (1)

Also, the ground on the block is clean and tight

KeithZ28ss

iTrader: (1)

I'm giving up, taking it to a shop. This electrical stuff is beyond me. Now the freakin parking lights won't turn off!!! WTF!?!?!

Car is freakin possessed!

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

Did you ever try jump starting it? You said your battery was new, but that doesn't necessarily mean that its good.