car won't start
 

Not really sure if this is the right place but i don't know where else to put it....

I was out tonight and the car was running fine and had no problems whatsoever up to this point. So I parked the car in a lot for a couple of hours or so. When I went back to the car it wouldn't start. I have headlights, dome lights, and the alarm works but when i put the key in and turn it i have nothing. None of the accessorie functions work and no dash lights or anything light up. I was thinking that it was probably the lock cylinder but just wanted some opinions on what you guys think it may be. Thanks

Maybe its the key. My aunt's honda had to have a new key made b/c the battery in the other one went dead and the car needs the signal from the key to start the car. Try another key, I am not sure if ours work that way though:( .

Try cleaning the contacts on the key (the resistor) and in the keyhole carefully with alcohol on a q-tip.

Tommy :)

What is the security light in the dash doing ????

When I lock the car it flashes once, other than that it's off.

I have also tried both sets of keys so I know it's not the key.

Now when you turn key on & the dash does it's bulb check does the light flash, stay on or go off?

If there is a problem it may also set a trouble code w/the PCM.

If it goes out then you prolly have a conventional no crank problem.

ok im new to LS1's so this is probably a long shot, but on my buddy's 3rd gen, this would happen to him every now and then because his VATS system is faulty (vehicle anti theft system). all he does is disconnect the battery for a while, then reconnect it and the car starts right up. just a wild guess, good luck!

I tried disconnecting the battery and letting it sit for a while then reconnecting the battery but that didn't work.

As far as the bulb for the alarm. When i get in the car and put the key in the ignition and turn it on the bulb does nothing. That bulb is supposed to come on for like 2 seconds and then go out, correct?

As far as scanning the codes that would be impossible because I have no ignition power.

Is it possible that a vehicle could forget what key it's programmed for?

this may be stupid but is there a main fuse or a relay that could be bad, is subscribe to the kiss theory, Keep It Simple Stupid, and i have a hard time believing its anything with the key, ive had an ignition switch go bad once but the car was 15 years old and i always had way too many keys on my keychain, now i only carry a couple,

ive also had corroded ground cables that would allow enough juice to light lights but not turn the starter you could tell this but turning on the interior light and try starting the car if the light doesnt dim its in the startet cuircuit, if it does dim then then check your ground cable

Everything that normally has power with the key out like headlights, dome light, alarm, horn works. When you put the key in and turn it I get nothing. It's like the car doesn't know that the key is being turned.

I have checked all fuses and such. Battery voltage is good.

Basically I just want to rule out that the alarm isn't doing something weird before I go ripping apart the steering column.

Sounds like the ignition cylinder to me.

Wait a sec,


You turn the key on do the lights, I.E.> headlights ,dash lights, & dome lights still work?

When you crank does it loose all power?

Or as said B-4 there's a blown fuse.

There are no blown fuses I have checked them all. I have no dash lights as in the guage cluster it is black when you turn the key to on position and I do not lose power to headlights or dome or anythign when trying to crank.

Ok just trying to get it strait the dash lights never come on?

Most dash lights should go off in the crank position.
Does the radio work?
Does the wipers work?
Does anything work in accessory?
Power windows?

It helps narrow things down by knowing what is operational & not.


Sure you got a good connection at main power distribution box behind the drivers headlamp.

It has the 6 gauge batt. cable going to it.

Otherwise it could possibly be an ignition switch problem.

It is mounted on top of column & "slight disassemby may be required".
Trying to help it kinda hard 2nd hand.....

Ok just trying to get it strait the dash lights never come on? Let me clear this up, the dash lights as in the backlights for the gauges work when you turn the headlights on, but the "idiot" lights and such that you would see when turning the ignition to the "on" position without starting the car do not work.

Does the radio work? no
Does the wipers work? no
Does anything work in accessory? no
Power windows? no

It helps narrow things down by knowing what is operational & not.
The only things I have found to be operational are the headlights (high and low beam), hazard lights (but not blinkers), dome and map lights, backlights for the instrument cluster and heater/radio controls, and power seats. Everything that normally would work with the key out of the ignition.

Sure you got a good connection at main power distribution box behind the drivers headlamp. Yes the connection is good.

The next step would be to see if the ignition switch is recieving power & then distributing it when on.


Your gonna need a volt meter & a wiring diagram.

Then you need to remove the bolster/knee panels &
then unbolt column from the dash support.

The column will then fall into the seat & you can now access the ignition switch on top of the coulmn tube.

Make sure the actuator rod moves when you put key in & rotate to start.

The rod should move down , it slides the contacts of switch.
(If this is it you can unbolt switch & activate it to start & move the car)

If it doesnt move then it broke the lock cylinder, or the rotator gear or the rack.

Thanks appreciate all the help