Help! Car wont start
07-26-2012, 08:20 AM
#1
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Help! Car wont start I just got my Firebird a couple weeks ago and its been running amazing. No issiues at all until this morning when I get in the car and it just doesn't start at all. Pretty depressing way to start your morning haha. I get no response from the engine at all, I turn the key and nothing. I just drove 250 miles from Bradenton to Miami yesterday and it drove amazing and all of the sudden it decides not to start this morning. Battery gauge sits right in the middle. Not sure what else it can be. If anyone has any idea please help me out! I wana get back on the road asap!
07-26-2012, 09:27 AM
#2
Do you get interior lights? And sounds like the guages are working. Sounds like a bad draw or something was left on. Common issues with dead batteries is clicking and flashing of interior lights but if its nearly completely dead sounds like a serious dead battery or a horrific draw.
Try jumping it to see if you have power?? If you actually get power and jumping it helps, have the battery and Alt tested to see if they are in working order and go from there.
Try jumping it to see if you have power?? If you actually get power and jumping it helps, have the battery and Alt tested to see if they are in working order and go from there.
07-26-2012, 09:53 AM
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I tried jumping it but it didnt work. Turn the key and nothing happens at all. No little clicks or anything. The gauges and electronics turn on. Everything but the engine works. The security light comes on for about 5 seconds then turns off. I've been reading through some stuff about the common problems with the VATS system and it seems like a huge pain in the ***. My security light doesn't flash or remain on though. Its only on for a few seconds so I'm really hoping its not a stupid security system issue.
07-26-2012, 10:17 AM
#5
Sounds like the Ignition relay when I had the same issue.
In the engine bay, there are two fuse boxes on driver side.
Open the lid for the fuse box closer to headlight.
You 'll see two square relays about size of 3/4 inch.
One of them is the ignition relay and other one is for AC.
First try removing it and re insert it , for any reason it could just be loose.
If that doesn't work you can swap them out and see if the car fires up.
If it does, it was just a relay problem and you can get a new one for the AC one you just used.
If it still didn't fire up & you know for sure your AC worked during your trip, then problem maybe the starter.
In the engine bay, there are two fuse boxes on driver side.
Open the lid for the fuse box closer to headlight.
You 'll see two square relays about size of 3/4 inch.
One of them is the ignition relay and other one is for AC.
First try removing it and re insert it , for any reason it could just be loose.
If that doesn't work you can swap them out and see if the car fires up.
If it does, it was just a relay problem and you can get a new one for the AC one you just used.
If it still didn't fire up & you know for sure your AC worked during your trip, then problem maybe the starter.
Last edited by bad_408_vert; 07-26-2012 at 11:01 PM.
07-26-2012, 10:30 AM
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Sounds like the Ignition relay when I had the same issue.
In the engine bay, there are two fuse boxes on driver side.
Open the lid for the fuse box closer to headlight.
You 'll see two square relays about size of 3/4 inch.
One of them is the ignition relay and other one is for AC.
First try removing it and re insert it , for any reason it could just be loose.
If that doesn't work you can swap them out and see if the car fires up.
If it does, it was just a relay problem and you can get a new one for the AC one you just used.
If it still didn't fire up & you know for sure your AC worked during your trip, then problem maybe the starter.
In the engine bay, there are two fuse boxes on driver side.
Open the lid for the fuse box closer to headlight.
You 'll see two square relays about size of 3/4 inch.
One of them is the ignition relay and other one is for AC.
First try removing it and re insert it , for any reason it could just be loose.
If that doesn't work you can swap them out and see if the car fires up.
If it does, it was just a relay problem and you can get a new one for the AC one you just used.
If it still didn't fire up & you know for sure your AC worked during your trip, then problem maybe the starter.
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07-26-2012, 11:10 AM
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Alright I'll try that now. My dad just informed me that when he tried to move my car from behind his this morning it didn't start and when he got out the alarm suddenly went off. So now I'm pretty sure its a VATS issue but I'm not sure how to go about fixing it. If this is the case though then I still don't get why the security light doesn't flash or remain on.
Last edited by badformulaLS1; 07-26-2012 at 11:19 AM.
07-26-2012, 12:12 PM
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Tried using a screw driver to prop it up but still haven't been able to get it up high enough to where I can get a good enough grip to pull it out. And after further googling nevermind the VATS. I didn't know it was normal for the security light to come on for a few seconds then turn off. I guess I just never noticed it since it was never a problem. So for right now it doesn't seem like a problem with that. Once I get these damn relays out hopefully that takes care of it. If not, how can I tell if the starter is the problem?
07-26-2012, 07:28 PM
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No one else has any advice or suggestions?? I would really like to get this fixed or at least figure out what the problem is before I have to have it towed to the shop tomorrow.
07-26-2012, 08:15 PM
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I don't know what it's called but go to radio shack and get a voltage checker. Comes with a ground clamp on one side and a spike probe on the other. Clamp the ground to the frame and put the probe on the positive terminal at the starter. The tool is cheap and it'll tell you if it's electrical or the starter. If it's getting power, then tap on the motor. Might have a flat spot
07-26-2012, 08:44 PM
#16
At this point, based on experience.
You should call local auto parts store & see if they test starters & alternators.
Pull yours and get it tested.
If in fact you need a new starter, take yours for a core.
Not sure if advance auto has stores in Miami but they have pretty good online coupon codes for parts.
Good luck
You should call local auto parts store & see if they test starters & alternators.
Pull yours and get it tested.
If in fact you need a new starter, take yours for a core.
Not sure if advance auto has stores in Miami but they have pretty good online coupon codes for parts.
Good luck
07-26-2012, 08:58 PM
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At this point, based on experience.
You should call local auto parts store & see if they test starters & alternators.
Pull yours and get it tested.
If in fact you need a new starter, take yours for a core.
Not sure if advance auto has stores in Miami but they have pretty good online coupon codes for parts.
Good luck
You should call local auto parts store & see if they test starters & alternators.
Pull yours and get it tested.
If in fact you need a new starter, take yours for a core.
Not sure if advance auto has stores in Miami but they have pretty good online coupon codes for parts.
Good luck
07-26-2012, 09:02 PM
#18
Ok, you got some wrong advice in this thread. Your engine isn't cranking at all so that has nothing to do with the ignition relay. If it was cranking then you could have an ignition relay problem.
SOO, that being said, try replacing the STARTER relay or swap it with your A/C relay. If that doesn't fix it then I would get a test light or volt meter and see if you have power going to the starter solenoid. If you do, then your starter is bad.
Do those two things and go from there. This is assuming you don't have a VATS issue which it sounds like you don't.
SOO, that being said, try replacing the STARTER relay or swap it with your A/C relay. If that doesn't fix it then I would get a test light or volt meter and see if you have power going to the starter solenoid. If you do, then your starter is bad.
Do those two things and go from there. This is assuming you don't have a VATS issue which it sounds like you don't.
07-26-2012, 09:31 PM
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The security light turns on for a brief moment then turns off. As far as I know this is normal. Thank you lt1pwr1, I will try that. Hopefully it works.