car not starting....
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From: waterloo IL (near STL, MO)
car not starting.... when i first got my car, it would do this once in a while. but now it is atleast half of the time, it will not start. i turn the key, and the electronics turn on, but that is it. after turning the key for literally 20 times, it will randomly fire up as if there never was a problem. i make sure the clutch is pressed all the way down. i am not sure how to go about finding out the problem. has anyone else had this happen? it is extremely frustrating how often it wont start...ugh
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
Is this after driving for a while or when its cold? I had a buick that wouldn't start when it was hot after driving for a while. I was told it was the starter selenoid but never replaced it because it was my winter beater. Could be anything in the ignition system.
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From: waterloo IL (near STL, MO)
that would make sense. but as far as my car goes....no, it doesnt matter if had been driving it for awhile or if had been sitting for days. i am trying to think of some sort of pattern for why it randomly starts when it wants. but i am coming up short here. any other suggestions people?
Originally Posted by zach_ws6
that would make sense. but as far as my car goes....no, it doesnt matter if had been driving it for awhile or if had been sitting for days. i am trying to think of some sort of pattern for why it randomly starts when it wants. but i am coming up short here. any other suggestions people?
If that doesn't help, you may have to take a look at your ignition switch and see if you have a loose connection.
Another idea is to swap your ignition relay with another one. Sometimes that helps.
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From: waterloo IL (near STL, MO)
i have noticed a pattern finally. for the passed few days, i have done a little experimenting. i have been starting my car with the driver's door still open. it fires up each time (knock on wood). then last night i accidently shut the door, and you guessed it, the car would NOT start. after a few minutes, the car started up again, with the door open of course. idk if this is a weird coinsidense, or if it is related some how. i do know that my security light has been on ever since i got my car (it shuts off and comes back on 
) so maybe it has to do with the whole issue...
) so maybe it has to do with the whole issue... I am having the exact same problum as if I wrote this post!
I have been under my car tracing wires all night and they all look good, I put in a new starter relay too but it still dose it!! I went to blockbuster the other day to drop off some movies and the damn thing would not start for a hour! pisses me off cause you never know when its going to start and when its not... let me know if you find anything
I have been under my car tracing wires all night and they all look good, I put in a new starter relay too but it still dose it!! I went to blockbuster the other day to drop off some movies and the damn thing would not start for a hour! pisses me off cause you never know when its going to start and when its not... let me know if you find anything
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I'm having the the same problem as well. I think it has something to do with VATS . I remember reading a post about this a while back and it was related to the key switch and a relay of some sort under the dash near the steering collum but I haven't found the thread yet.
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Teching In
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 25
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
battery? i know this is probably common sense but check the battery. I had the same problem with my cam and i would take it to a shop and it would start fine and a couple of days later i would be trying to start it forever and then randomly it would start up. It would happen once in a while to twice or 3 times a week. I took it to so many shops and when i would take it to a shop it would start of course with my luck. I got the battery tested and it tested fine. Finally a mechanic told me that it was the battery and the cell was dead or borderline. So it would keep a charged and sometimes it wouldnt. Replaced the battery and has worked ever since. Just a possibility? Hope it works out
check all fuses and relays...i had my car do some **** to me like that and it was a STUPID EFFING FUSE inside the car, a little *** 15 fuse one too...i think it was the one for the dash in general...killed everything if i tried to start it, power/radio/lights everything lol...its probably not ur problem but just wanted to let u guys know its a possibility cuz that lil fuse had my car parked 3 days before it hit me to check for the retardo fuse box 
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: North Dallas
I have been doing a little searching and it seems the guys using tunes just "edit" out the vats function. I also saw a post that said its the tumbler thats going bad, replace that and a key and it should be fine.
Right now the car is starting up fine, but it was also posted if the car will not start disconnect the battery and reconnect it and it might start up. Haven't had the chance to try that out yet.
If you see the security light the flashes three times that means the key is bad and needs to be replaced.
Right now the car is starting up fine, but it was also posted if the car will not start disconnect the battery and reconnect it and it might start up. Haven't had the chance to try that out yet.
If you see the security light the flashes three times that means the key is bad and needs to be replaced.
I have removed VATS with hptunner that has nothing to do with it in my case.. Ive replaced starter relay too, and have snuged up all power and ground cables even the one that runs to the wheel well and block..
However when I have the problum and the car wont start, Ive noticed that if I pull on the cable that runs from the battery to the fuse box with the starter relay it will start right up... wierd thoe my car only has 40k miles and the cable looks good as new but if this works a few more times I will replace it and see what happens.... and yes the cables on the battery are tight and clean..
However when I have the problum and the car wont start, Ive noticed that if I pull on the cable that runs from the battery to the fuse box with the starter relay it will start right up... wierd thoe my car only has 40k miles and the cable looks good as new but if this works a few more times I will replace it and see what happens.... and yes the cables on the battery are tight and clean..
I have found a solution lfor this.... OK when you get into your car and it wont turn over, take the blunt part of your hand and KNOCK THE **** out of the key. there is a problem w/ your 1.) key cylinder 2.) the electronic ignition and there is nothing you can do about it except replace it or put a push botton start w/ a toggle switch. Mines has been doing it for ever and this is my solution and it works just about every time. Thanks
It took about 20 turns to get mine to fire tonight. It turns over great, and has fuel. I think its the ignition switch. I had my key tested and it tested out fine. Im going to try deleting VATS in EFILive.
Originally Posted by ATCFLYBOY02
I have found a solution lfor this.... OK when you get into your car and it wont turn over, take the blunt part of your hand and KNOCK THE **** out of the key. there is a problem w/ your 1.) key cylinder 2.) the electronic ignition and there is nothing you can do about it except replace it or put a push botton start w/ a toggle switch. Mines has been doing it for ever and this is my solution and it works just about every time. Thanks