Car randomly not starting

[boomhower]

My wifes car is a 2003 Chevrolet Impala with the 3.4 engine. It will randomly refuse to crack. It acts like it has no battery juice at all and doesn't even attempt to crank. But the battery is fine, everything else works. Eventually it will fire up just fine. We have eliminated the security deal as that will cause the injectors not to pump fuel but the starter will still turn. We have also eliminated the transmission neutral sensor. Other ideas?

 

[Possessed Freak]

We have also eliminated the transmission neutral sensor.

How? Did you try to start it in neutral (assuming an automatic)?

 

[boomhower]

How? Did you try to start it in neutral (assuming an automatic)?

Going off what my mechanic told me. He was mechanic at a Chevrolet dealership for 20+ years before starting his own place. He has been spot on with everything else he has done for me so I have no reason to doubt him now. He was honest with his assessment, he didn't know what the issue was and didn't want to throw parts at it but gave some ideas what it may be. The main problem is we can't duplicate the issue when he has it. It's random. He said he is 100% sure he can trace the problem if he could get it to do it when he has it. Sometimes it will do it three times a day and others once a week.

 

[Elganja]

i would put money that you have a bad ground somewhere or maybe the starter needs to be replaced (even if it appears to work fine every now and then)

you said you have thrown some money at it in another thread, what have you tried?

 

[jlee]

Have you checked/cleaned/tightened the battery cables yet?

 

[boomhower]

i would put money that you have a bad ground somewhere or maybe the starter needs to be replaced (even if it appears to work fine every now and then)

you said you have thrown some money at it in another thread, what have you tried?
__________________

Haven't tried anything for this particular problem. He troubleshot it while I was having some other work done on it.

Have you checked/cleaned/tightened the battery cables yet?

Yeah, they are fine.

 

[Vette73]

Not sure if its your car or you got bad information but my Corvette (2001) will NOT crank when the security system is activated. The Security light will blink when it does this and not crank at all. I hit the unlock button on my remote and it starts right up. Next time it does it hit the unlock button on the remote then try and start again.

If that does not pan out tracing it should be easy. Start at the starter and work your way back. When the key is turned is there a signal at the solenoid of the starter? If no then back track until you find the break.

A no crank issue is one of the easier things to fix. And no offense to your mechanic, but if he has been working on cars for 20+ years he probable knows more about Carbs then fuel injection. When I first became a auto-tech I specialized in port fuel injection. i.e. I know how to diagnose a car with electronic fuel injection, not rebuild a carb. Many shops would have me look at cars they already spent time with. Old timers could wrench circles around me but if it was not an easy fix or was newer generation they got confused fast. This may not be the case with your guy; he may go to all the clinics and stay current. But when I was a tech that was not the case for most older techs.


Also update your profile to where you live. Maybe someone here is near you and can help.

 

[boomhower]

i would put money that you have a bad ground somewhere or maybe the starter needs to be replaced (even if it appears to work fine every now and then)

you said you have thrown some money at it in another thread, what have you tried?

Have you checked/cleaned/tightened the battery cables yet?

Not sure if its your car or you got bad information but my Corvette (2001) will NOT crank when the security system is activated. The Security light will blink when it does this and not crank at all. I hit the unlock button on my remote and it starts right up. Next time it does it hit the unlock button on the remote then try and start again.

If that does not pan out tracing it should be easy. Start at the starter and work your way back. When the key is turned is there a signal at the solenoid of the starter? If no then back track until you find the break.

A no crank issue is one of the easier things to fix. And no offense to your mechanic, but if he has been working on cars for 20+ years he probable knows more about Carbs then fuel injection. When I first became a auto-tech I specialized in port fuel injection. i.e. I know how to diagnose a car with electronic fuel injection, not rebuild a carb. Many shops would have me look at cars they already spent time with. Old timers could wrench circles around me but if it was not an easy fix or was newer generation they got confused fast. This may not be the case with your guy; he may go to all the clinics and stay current. But when I was a tech that was not the case for most older techs.


Also update your profile to where you live. Maybe someone here is near you and can help.

I first thought it was the security deal as well, so did the mechanic. Sometime the security light does come on but not all the time. One of his older coworkers said the particular system in this car just cuts off the injectors, not the starter. Of course he could be wrong. The part is close to $300 to correct, which wouldn't be an issue if we knew that was the problem but it's an expensive guess.

In in SE NC. I won't give out my specific location on a public forum, yeah I know it wouldn't be that hard to figure out for someone determined enough but may as well make them work for it a bit.

 

[Vette73]

^

YOU IN WILMINGTON!!! :twisted:


:awe:

 

[Vette73]

I just looked it up and your car will not crank when the security system is on/faults.

Next time it happens see if the light is blinking (may also make a light click sound). If so hit the unlock on the keyfob and try again.

My Corvette will do that if I get out of the car and don;t lock it or unlock it with the FOB. The first time it did it to me I swore it was the battery as I heard a click and saw no lights, but did notice the security light and knew what it was.


But probable a BCM or other elctrical issue related to the BCM. If ti keeps up replace the BCM and/or check the wiring around the BCM and ignation.

 

[boomhower]

I just looked it up and your car will not crank when the security system is on/faults.

Next time it happens see if the light is blinking (may also make a light click sound). If so hit the unlock on the keyfob and try again.

My Corvette will do that if I get out of the car and don;t lock it or unlock it with the FOB. The first time it did it to me I swore it was the battery as I heard a click and saw no lights, but did notice the security light and knew what it was.


But probable a BCM or other elctrical issue related to the BCM. If ti keeps up replace the BCM and/or check the wiring around the BCM and ignation.

I told her to try the key fob next time it does it, I'll update when it happens.

 

[Mermaidman]

I had a similar problem with my Olds Intrigue. Once a blue moon, it wouldn't start. No cranking action at all, but the dash lights would come on. After I wait 10-20 minutes, it would then start normally. I never did solve the issue before I sold the car, but I got as far as suspecting the security or the ignition barrel (or whatever you call the part that you insert the key into).

Funny thing was--the longer I owned the Olds (I had it for 6 yrs), the less frequently the problem appeared . . . 😕

 

[IcePickFreak]

I'd go with checking for ground as well.

 

[jackace]

My Accord would do a similar thing right before the starter failed. It lasted a couple weeks and the starter finally failed completely.