I get into my car, put keys into ignition...I hear the beep when you do that. Then I turn the key to accessory to wait for fuel pump to come on. It comes on, but I notice all the computer lights(like service engine etc) are blinking. Then they come on and look fine. So I go to crank the car, and it cranks for a sec, then NOTHING. Turn it off, and put key back into accessory position. Now no dash lights come on! Theres no beep and no fuel pump turning on. But the interior and all exterior lights come on. Even the dash lights(like MPH and tach gauge) come on when I turn on the lights, but none of the lights like SES and low coolant come on.

It just clicks when I try to turn it over, and im getting nothing. Battery is getting 12+ amps cold, even when I try to turn it over, so its not even reaching the battery.

I looked at the fuses in the side of the dash, and they were fine. Something happen to the computer?

I guess I should tell you that I just put in a used opti(but was fine) a few days ago. Today I drove the car to school and back, and was fine. Actually this morning it took like 20 seconds to turn over, just kept cranking, but finally turned over.
There is however a coolant line leaking from the waterpump. Its the bleeding one that sits over the opti, so it seems like it is leaking some coolant right ontop of the opti. Not alot, but still some. Would this make this do this?

Please ANY suggestions, my cars sitting in a parking lot right now, and i dont like that AT ALL!

Thank you guys in advanced.

 

this coolant line could very well be making your optisatan show its horns

Also, just a thought, but, have you dropped your keys anytime lately? This might mess up the little resistor thingy, and make your security not let your car start, but if it was difficult to start earlier, but finally did, I wouldn't think that that'd be the problem.

All that coolant on your opti can't be a good thing though, and will eventually cause it to go south if it's not already. You need to get to fixing that pronto.

 

My car literally needed to start one more time to come home tonight, and I was gonna fix it tomrrow. Pretty good luck huh?

I just dont see how getting coolant on the opti wont let the fuel pump come on, and the starter wont even try to turn it over????

 

Yeah, I would think that electrical restrictions throughout the whole car wouldn't be caused by the opti. It's bound to be a problem with some other system.

Could even be something w/the ignition switch

This will bump up to the top, maybe someone else has some ideas

 

My guess would be ignition switch or connection to it. This is gonna sound nuts, but beat on the steering wheel. Maybe the vibrations will let it start "one more time" for you to get it home. Of course, if it loses connection again, it's gonna die in its' tracks. There is a replacement procedure on my Tech Page.

 

hmm ok ill try that. I did try turning the wheel back and forth while trying to start, but no luck. Ill go beat the living **** outa it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


EDIT: Im over my friends house, but this is 95blackta



Shoebox, I just found the instructiions on your site for that. How hard is it to do? I got all the tools, and the most ive done to the car would be opti i guess. should I be able to do that?

 

Shoebox..you are the freaking MAN!
I went back down there, beat the crap outa the wheel but nothign happened. So I went back home, called AAA, and headed back down there. Decided to give it a try one last time, and as I hit the wheel, all the lights lit up like it was xmas morning. Got it started right as the towing guy pulled up.
Thanks alot man. Guess ill head to autozone to see if they got those ignition switch. What else will I need other than basic tools?
I see theres a box on your webpage that says for an auto(mine) get
Auto Trans 26036235(GM) D1473C(AC Delco)...and it also has Ignition Switch Blue Connector Pigtail 12102602 PT289
Ignition Switch Black Connector Pigtail 12102603 PT290

Im guessing I need the ignition switch for trans, and then both of those connector pigtails?(so three items)

Do you know if autozone will carry these, or do I need to go to the dealership?

Again, thanks alot man for all you do, you are the freaking man
Oh and everyone else is too that helps

 

I'm am going to have to agree with the ignition switch being the problem. $34 part, but a PITA to put in, lol.

 

You can only get it from a dealer, and it is only something like $34.

 

You won't need the pigtails unless yours are fried beyond reuse. I actually reused the one that is on my install page. I had to "re-spring" the one terminal though, so it would make a solid connection. Most everyone finds some heat damage on that connector. A lot of power runs through there.

Those are GM p/ns and also the ACDelco numbers. Lots of places sell the ACDelco stuff and I would bet most auto parts stores have their own brands of replacement switches.

In your case, it might only be that the connector terminal is not making good connection. I would have a good look at that, first. The switches are a commonly replaced part though, so you might just replace it while you are in there.