General Maintenance & Repairs - Car won't start!

Well it is Friday the 13th, and my car wouldn't start this morning when I tried to leave for work. The battery is not dead, but when i turn the key to start it, absolutely nothing happens. There is no clicking, nothing.

This happened to me once before and I just let the car sit all day and it started normally in the evening. However, that didn't work this time. Any ideas what could be wrong?? Thanks.

How do you know the battery is not dead? You can have enough voltage to light up the dash and work some lights, but not enough amps to turn the car over. Start w/simple stuff first, check the connections for being loose/corroded, battery voltage, security light on or flashing, etc.

one of the two wires going to the ignition cylinder could be severed and that will stop your car from turning over or doing anything at all . . . it's not fun to replace, ask how i know lol

How do you know the battery is not dead? You can have enough voltage to light up the dash and work some lights, but not enough amps to turn the car over. Start w/simple stuff first, check the connections for being loose/corroded, battery voltage, security light on or flashing, etc.

Battery is brand new (maybe 3-4 weeks old), and is putting out enough power to turn on everything in/on the car.

And to top it off, I hooked a jump box to it this morning and still absolutely nothing :(

Forgot to mention that before, sorry.


Any more ideas?

Make sure the connections are tight, and see if you have about 12.7V on the cables. Security light on/flashing?

All connections look good. The security light does nothing while the car is just sitting there unlocked. Then when I open the door it starts blinking, and when I turn the key to on, or to start it, the light goes off again.

have the resister in the key tested. like i said if your ignition cylinder went out it's no fun to replace

Check the starter relay in the fuse block under the hood. My car did this exact same thing and it was the relay. Swap it out with the fan relay and see if it helps. Id put $$ on it that it's the relay.

have the resister in the key tested. like i said if your ignition cylinder went out it's no fun to replace

Do I take it to a dealership to do this?

Check the starter relay in the fuse block under the hood. My car did this exact same thing and it was the relay. Swap it out with the fan relay and see if it helps. Id put $$ on it that it's the relay.

Alright, I'll try it. Thanks.

Ok, so I went out to test the relay, but decided to try the car first....

it started lol. This is so crazy.


So I fixed nothing, and now the car is fine :confused: Thanks for the help guys. But I would really like to avoid this happening again the the future, so I guess I'll still have my key tested.

All connections look good. The security light does nothing while the car is just sitting there unlocked. Then when I open the door it starts blinking, and when I turn the key to on, or to start it, the light goes off again.

my car done that last week it was a security problem you can by pass it thats what i done, the mechanic told me i would prob need a new key if i dindnt by pass it

next time just be ready to do the VATS bypass because it might happen again if it happen before and this time it might not turn on without the bypass

My $$ is still on the relay.

As Pwebbz said, the relay is the best place to start (well, the battery but you already ruled that out). Swap out the IGN relay with your starter relay.

Be wary though as I had a similar issue and it was my ignition switch. That sucked to fix after having to drop the steering column.

yea me to its got to be the relay switch couse mine did the same thing

Wow I had this same problem today. I'd been having it off and on for a few weeks, but the car eventually would start when i fiddled with the clutch. Today after work I get in the car and nothing. I ended up replacing the clutch interlock switch and still nothing. I jumped the car off another one so I'm sure it's not the battery. Could it be the starter relay on mine as well?

yeah still have your key checked

Fixed mine today. Turned out to be the starter itself. All the relays were working fine.

Fixed mine today. Turned out to be the starter itself. All the relays were working fine.

What was happening when you tried to start it?

Same problem here. Mine quit starting at work after I drove it in this morning. I'll switch the relays once I get back to work and see if she'll fire up.

Switched Relays, purchased a clutch switch/neutral switch and still nothing.

Switched Relays, purchased a clutch switch/neutral switch and still nothing.

Did you have your key tested?

Haven't made it to the dealer to get it tested. What readings do I suppose to get if I'm testing it myself?

Haven't made it to the dealer to get it tested. What readings do I suppose to get if I'm testing it myself?

there is a chart online that says what readings your supposed to get.. I believe there are 15 different # keys.. you have to use a voltmeter to get the reading.. from harbor freight they are $2.99

found the chart.. http://www.thirdgen.org/vats_passkey_system, and another useful site, http://shbox.com/1/pass_key.html

when you get the voltmeter, place the black prong on one side of the metal chip, and the red prong on the other side..

Thanks for the links they're pretty helpful. The key read fine. The security light goes out withing 3 secs. Also checked the ignition switch a few mins ago and it's sending power to the clutch switch.

Problem solved. Starter Solenoid kept locking and unlocking. HUH. Thanks for the help guys.