Car will not turn over......been working on it for the last 3 hours or so and have ran out of ideas. I've done/observed the following.

Putting the key in the ignition and turning it to the "on" position, there is no security light, the interior lights come on and are at full brightness. The fuel pump kicks on and primes the system. Everything seems normal.

Turning the key to the start position nothing happens, it sounds like there is a click under the hood on the drivers side. but it may just be a echo in the garage from the linkage in the column. The voltage gauge stays still, the lights do not dim at all. Starter does not turn, does not engage, nothing.

checked the wires and grounds running on the passenger side to the starter, all appear tight and in order.

Starter terminals wiggled on the starter, replaced the starter........the fastner on the power wire was damaged replaced it. crimped it on the wire and pulled hard to make sure it was tight. fastened the wires back up, purple wire on the small post, large ground on the large post.

Checked the fuses, they all are ok.

I could jump the terminals and start the car, but it won't start with the key.

This started right after I traced an oil leak to the dipstick tube and replaced the dipstick tube. They may or may not have anything to do with each other.


Is there anything else I should be checking?

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94 pontiac firebird, LT1, M6

 

make sure your connections on your bat are tight

 

Get an ohm meter and check connectivity from the battery to the starter. Make sure you disconnect the battery when doing this.

 

Check your starter Starter Relay.
Might be bad.


Chris G.

 

you need to see if you have 12 volts to the starter from the battery then you need someone to hold the key in the start possiton and see if you have 12 volts on the little wire if so try takin a hammer and tappin the starter while some one cranks. If you dont have power on the little wire then chech under the dash at the steering columb for a little 2 wire plug in connector (VATS) put the key in the cylinder turn it on and see if your getting continuity at the plug with an (ohm meter) if not suspect the cylinder and key

 

turned out the female connector on the starter relay connector was slightly bent not allowing good contact. moving the wire/vibration, would allow contact occasionally and not other times, replaced the connector car starts up fine everytime. Thanks for the suggestions guys, I think more than anything I just needed to sleep and get a fresh start at it. Took 45 minutes to find after a second go at it.