Why doesn't it crank or start????

Asked by Guru9Z5GZJ Nov 28, 2020 at 01:17 AM about the 2001 Pontiac Grand Am SE1 Coupe

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am SE1 6cyl. This car is possessed. Sometimes
when I put the key in the ignition and turn it, the car will not start. You get the
dinging "bells" and the dash lights, but as soon as I turn the key; complete
silence. No cranking sound, no clicking sound, but the headlights are on and
bright, dash lights come back on, radio and everything comes on, so it's not the
battery. The battery is a couple years old. The fuel pump, fuel filter, oxygen
sensor, fuel modulator have been replaced. The battery, starter, and alternator
have all been tested and passed. Any ideas on what is going on here? I have
Parkinson's, but am able to do some things to the car and need it to get to
therapy appts. Thank you.

5 Answers

3,360

Almost sounds like the antenna ring (part of the anti theft system) is wearing out and not able to read it code in the key chip. It wraps around the ignition lock cylinder and communicates with the ecu to confirm code in key is correct before disabling the immobilizer to allow it to start

1 people found this helpful.
157,625

Or it could be a bad neutral safety switch. Try starting it in neutral. If that gets you going it's definitely the neutral safety switch. You might have to put the shifter through all the selections a couple of times, but if it starts after doing all that, replace the neutral safety switch. Hope that helps! Jim

1 people found this helpful.
3,360

Didn't even think of that, try Jim's idea first, it's faster and easier to diagnose. I just got done looking into a vehicle with the same issue that had everything checked out including the safety switch, both of their fobs and keys quit working and wound up looking into how the keys communicate with the computer, so my brain was stuck on that.

1 people found this helpful.
3,360

Also make sure the bolts that attach the shifter lever to the shifter linkage are tight, they like to loosen up over time and make it appear as if it's in park when it's not.

1 people found this helpful.
20

i change the ignition switch and it works have to pull the raido to get to it the switch comes with instuction how to set the safty part

1 people found this helpful.

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