car was not running for more than three years(thanks again to colin for getting the car running), and then sent to the tranny shop for a rebuild, i got it back from them, and the car started and ran fine, but then I turned it off, went in to eat, came out, and it would not start. i came back a few hours later, and the car started right up. i drove it a few miles down the road, i idled the car to go cruise over a speed bump and the car died, used jumper cables, and a few minutes later, it fired up, after that, it died again about 1 minute later, once again when i let it idle. let the car set again, and it started right, charged the battery put it in the car and it started right up, drove about 3 miles, and once again it died, in low rpm, right after idle, it refuses to start now...

i try to start the car and you can hear the fuel pump, and it tries to start, after a few times of trying to start the car will just click. then i can come back 2 minutes or so later, and the process will repeat

when i connect the battery, i hear a clicking nose, and a seperate very loud very repititive clicking nose, sounding like its coming from the passenger headlight motor, the headlight motor noise, also happens when i shut the headlights

here is what i have done/tested:

battery--tested fine
alternator--tested fine
fuses--one injector fuse was blown and the ignition fuse was also blown--replaced them

here is what i will be doing/testing next:

make sure the fuse box is bolted down
removing maf and map sensors, and spraying starter fluid
check to make sure ground wire is tight
use my other key to make sure it isn't a vats issue

any other ideas?

 

I could be way off, but it sounds like the torque converter could be locking up when it's not supposed to. When it doesn't start, try pushing the car. It will be pretty easy to tell if the engine is positively engaged to the transmission, because you won't be able to push. Then try putting it in neutral (not sure if that will physically disengage the transmission though) and pushing or starting it.

edit

Although, re-reading your post, it sounds like the engine will turn over, just not start? If the engine is spinning freely, then it's obviously not the TC locking up.

 

If you are sure that the battery is good, may be bad connections. Perhaps when the tranny was being worked on a ground wire or starter wire was disturbed. The clicking sound is usually associated with a battery that is in need of replacement, i.e, it won't take or maintain a charge.

Good luck.

 

the battery will not mantain a charge...still unsure why any suggestions to this issue

the car was starting but is not starting anymore

 

Battery is probably shot. If it is anywhere near expiration date, probably ready for replacement. Get a jump and get yourself down to the battery shop and pick up an optima red top or another good qualilty 5-7 yeear battery. JMHO

 

battery has been tested and passing all tests...could the battery still be bad? however, even with a fully charged battery the car still will not start

don't need to worry about jumping it to get a new battery, the trans am isnt a daily driver

 

No prob, my pleasure

Sorry to hear about the new problem though. I would look at your battery cables next. I noticed that they were pretty crusty when i was working on it. Old, corroded battery cables can cause the exact issue that you are describing. Been there, done that on one of my 3rd gens.


I can't possibly be the torque converter, because the car isn't equipped with one. It's a 6-speed

 

The cables and connections can appear to be fine but if a film developes on them it can cause your problems. Mine wouldn't start and there was a dull silver finish on it. I cleaned them so they were shiny and it would fine. There were loose before and that probably helped the corossion.

 

i see posts similar to this all the time, and rarely is the solution posted(so i'm just posting mine, for future search refrences)

my car had a bad coil, replaced it, and the car fired right up, and now has no problems.

hope that helps someone later on down the road