car doesn't start
 

My car was working fine all day. I got some gas, went back to my house and an hour later i tried to go to the store and my car wouldn't start. It doesn't turn over or crank or anything. It makes no noise at all. It's not the battery because my headlights, radio, and windows work. I took off the starter and took it to pep boys and they said it was fine. It was running at like 9V and it got pretty hot when the guy was testing it. It also started to smoke a little, but he said since he got a voltage reading from the starter, the car should make some kind of noise when i tried starting it. Any ideas what is wrong? I notice when i try to start my car, the security light flashes. I don't ever really pay attention to my dash so i'm not sure if it normally flashes when trying to start the car. Thanks

you got a spare key? try that...if not..get one made..its like 30 bucks...the resistor in your key might have gone to hell.

yeah i've tried the spare and it still doesn't start up

does it do the same thing? your secuirty system is stopping you from starting the car. what year is it? stil have it under warranty? I had a similar problem happen to my car...but no security light..i brought it to the dealership..and they said they couldn't find anything wrong..but it worked for some reason after that. did you use your spare a lot? maybe both keys are junk? is the3 security light always flashing? the wires that hook up the vats could have broke.

my starter isn't on the car right now so i can't try cranking it up again. But before i removed the starter, i tried the spare key and it still didnt work and i never use the spare key. My car is a 2000 and the warranty expired. I might just get it towed to pontiac and get it diagnosed

My 98z would do that like atleast 1 once or twice a year. Samething ur car does you turn the key nothing happens i am not sure why it does that my autostart doesnt even work so i doubt it was my key i also tried 2nd key still did the same thing. It could be bad ignition switch. Is your car stick or auto see if you can push start it.

it's a stick

check your relays...the starter and ignition ones....oh and check other blown fuses

Your description of the parts store test says to me "replace the starter" .
9V what does that mean? The starter needs at least 12 plus volts.
"Smoking a little" I think thats like "a little pregnant"
Buy a NEW starter off ebay for $89 bucks and be done with it

check all your fuses in the box on the side of the dash. i was messing around with changing gauges once and got a set that went for a 2001 car and my car is a 98. gauges are year specific by the way fellas. anyway, i put the wrong year gauges in and blew the fuse for the gauges. the car would do nothing when i turned the key. no crank, no noise. headlights worked and all electrical stuff worked except the gauges. no odometer came on, or any of the lights that come on when you start it up and this is after i put my stock gauges back in. so i think you need to check all your fuses. better than buying a starter if you dont have too.

I don't know if you have the same setup as my '97 LT1 B4C, but when mine did that it was the ignition switch. It had to be replaced and required pulling the entire steering column (it's on top.)

This is a common problem on 93-97's--they had the part in stock at Autozone for ~$25. Maybe LS1's are different?

The indication of this problem is that all accessories work, but the instrument panel is totally dead and the car silent when you turn the switch.

update:

I took my car to pontiac and had it diagnosed. They said my ignition lock cylinder was basically worn out and i needed a new one. They quoted me $440 for the part, labor, and new keys. Is the lock cylinder something easy that i can change out?

I think i would probably have the dealer do it. I think you have to take the steering wheel off to take the ignition lock out. I wouldnt want to mess around with the steering colum with the air bag.

The part is under $30 at Autozone. While not easy, I replaced mine in the parking lot of a grocery store in an afternoon.

As GM Tech I think its your ignition switch your chip resistance signal wires might be cut,give it a check

I think there's a general misconception here about what it takes to replace the ignition switch. The switch is not inside the column and is not where the key goes in. It is a mechanical box that sits on top of the steering column hooked to an actuator rod. The only thing that makes this job hard is that you can't reach it without dropping the column down. That's only 2 bolts and about 8 cable disconnects.

I pulled the whole column because I have big hands, but that was only 3 more bolts in the firewall and 1 through the steering yoke (under the hood).