Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Problems starting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 7, 2008 | 08:09 PM
  #1  
downtown_ss's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Default Problems starting

I have an '02 Trans Am and recently have been having problems starting, but only every once in a while. Sometimes it will start right up but if it doesn't start it will not even try to turn over. Its not the battery or alternator because ive tested them. If I mess around with it long enough i can get it to start so Im thinking it might be something with the ignition. I was wondering if anyone has had this problem too and what they came across?
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2008 | 08:27 PM
  #2  
MATTREDSS's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 558
Likes: 0
From: Southern Maryland
Default

There are two little wires in the ignition that will get pulled, wear or tare over time. Also have had your vats checked out?

Matt
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2008 | 11:59 PM
  #3  
blubox's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Default

If sometimes it just cranks right up with no preblem at all then sometimes it doesn't do ****. Not even a click click click click then you might wanna check to see if you battery terminals are clean. Sometime they get caroded and you could have problems starting. If they are clean then maybe scrape into them to make sure it's metal to metal touching and no type of coating or film. Sometimes there will be a coating and you can't even see it.

If that doesn't help then might wanna check to see if your body ground it good. If it's good then check your power cable going to the starter. and the ignitions wire that's on the starter also.

These are just a few "FREE" things to look at before taking it somewhere. You can either buy terminal cleaner or just use veniger, if you don't have any vinigar soda will actually work because of the acid but would suggest venigar or terminal cleaner.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2008 | 12:30 AM
  #4  
the_merv's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (88)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 21,019
Likes: 893
From: The Beach...
Default

Starter Solenoid going out possibly..
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2008 | 11:42 AM
  #5  
Golf&GM's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 948
Likes: 4
Default

I had the same problem when I first bought my car. It turned out that the nut that connects the cable to the battery was a little loose, it was more than hand tight but it wasn't competely snug. I tightened it up and never had the problem again. Next time it won't start check your dome lights and radio, if they won't turn on then you've got some problems connecting to the battery.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2008 | 07:34 PM
  #6  
ramair21's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Cali
Default

Originally Posted by the_merv
Starter Solenoid going out possibly..
Thats what i was thinking.....

I had the same issue with this. Starter was the problem. Good Luck
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2008 | 08:48 PM
  #7  
downtown_ss's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Default

Yeah I will check the battery over good but i dont think thats going to be the problem. Because when it will not start the lights and radio come on just fine.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2008 | 09:10 PM
  #8  
blubox's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Default

Originally Posted by the_merv
Starter Solenoid going out possibly..
Originally Posted by downtown_ss
Yeah I will check the battery over good but i dont think thats going to be the problem. Because when it will not start the lights and radio come on just fine.

You might be able to jump it with a screw driver by going accross poss n neg. on the starter. Just touch the screw driver accross both next time it wont start (on the starter). Also can bang the **** out of it and see if the bendix will jump out and catch.

Only do this after you've checked everything else out very thuroughly.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:41 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE