'97 LeSabre no start

[dplayer]

3800 with 135xxx. Car started fine this morning, met friends for breakfast and when I came out the car wouldn't start. I have dash lights, headlights and radio, just nothing when I hit the key. No tick tick tick; nothing. A jump doesn't help. Sound familiar to anyone? Any ideas? Thanks.

[Paul in Houston TX]

Post by dplayer
3800 with 135xxx. Car started fine this morning, met friends for breakfast and when I came out the car wouldn't start. I have dash lights, headlights and radio, just nothing when I hit the key. No tick tick tick; nothing. A jump doesn't help. Sound familiar to anyone? Any ideas? Thanks.

Bad cable, bad starter, bad solenoid, bad solenoid wiring,
bad ign switch, bad key resistor, bad security module,
bad neutral/start switch, bad n/s linkage, etc.
You will have to determine which.

[Bill]

Post by Paul in Houston TX

Post by dplayer
3800 with 135xxx. Car started fine this morning, met friends for breakfast and when I came out the car wouldn't start. I have dash lights, headlights and radio, just nothing when I hit the key. No tick tick tick; nothing. A jump doesn't help. Sound familiar to anyone? Any ideas? Thanks.

Bad cable, bad starter, bad solenoid, bad solenoid wiring,
bad ign switch, bad key resistor, bad security module,
bad neutral/start switch, bad n/s linkage, etc.
You will have to determine which.

Try placing it in neutral instead of park. If that works, then check
neutral safety switch.

But other than that, as mentioned above, it could be anything. Best if
you use factory electrical diagrams, a multimeter, and know how to
troubleshoot electrical systems.

If you don't have the right tools for the job (multimeter and wiring
diagrams) or knowledge, then take it to a mechanic who likes to do
electrical work.

[dplayer]

I tried re-positioning to park and neutral a few times with no result. Pulled the starter and had it checked. Solenoid and starter kicked in and spun great. Re-installed and still nothing. Tried jumping starter direct and got the solenoid to kick in, but it wouldn't turn the engine, which confuses me. We manually turned the engine just to eliminate the possibility of engine lock-up. Tomorrow will try to clean neutral switch connections, but still confused about solenoid kicking in, but not turning engine.

[Ed Pawlowski]

On Thu, 27 Jun 2013 19:14:13 -0700 (PDT), dplayer

Post by dplayer
I tried re-positioning to park and neutral a few times with no result. Pulled the starter and had it checked. Solenoid and starter kicked in and spun great. Re-installed and still nothing. Tried jumping starter direct and got the solenoid to kick in, but it wouldn't turn the engine, which confuses me. We manually turned the engine just to eliminate the possibility of engine lock-up. Tomorrow will try to clean neutral switch connections, but still confused about solenoid kicking in, but not turning engine.

Check the wires. It may have enough juice to pull in the solenoid, but
not turn the starter. I've seen older cables that look good, but they
are corroded under the first couple of inches of insulation.

[Paul in Houston TX]

Post by Ed Pawlowski
On Thu, 27 Jun 2013 19:14:13 -0700 (PDT), dplayer

Post by dplayer
I tried re-positioning to park and neutral a few times with no result. Pulled the starter and had it checked. Solenoid and starter kicked in and spun great. Re-installed and still nothing. Tried jumping starter direct and got the solenoid to kick in, but it wouldn't turn the engine, which confuses me. We manually turned the engine just to eliminate the possibility of engine lock-up. Tomorrow will try to clean neutral switch connections, but still confused about solenoid kicking in, but not turning engine.

Check the wires. It may have enough juice to pull in the solenoid, but
not turn the starter. I've seen older cables that look good, but they
are corroded under the first couple of inches of insulation.

Yup. Or the copper washer in the solenoid is shot.

[Geoff Welsh]

Post by Ed Pawlowski
On Thu, 27 Jun 2013 19:14:13 -0700 (PDT), dplayer

Post by dplayer
I tried re-positioning to park and neutral a few times with no
result. Pulled the starter and had it checked. Solenoid and starter
kicked in and spun great. Re-installed and still nothing. Tried
jumping starter direct and got the solenoid to kick in, but it
wouldn't turn the engine, which confuses me. We manually turned the
engine just to eliminate the possibility of engine lock-up. Tomorrow
will try to clean neutral switch connections, but still confused
about solenoid kicking in, but not turning engine.

Check the wires. It may have enough juice to pull in the solenoid, but
not turn the starter. I've seen older cables that look good, but they
are corroded under the first couple of inches of insulation.

Yup. Or the copper washer in the solenoid is shot.

hmmmm, 97 GM...I'll go with:

side post battery is BARELY connected to the cables.

GW

[dplayer]

Battery is fresh and connections are tight.

[Ed Pawlowski]

On Fri, 28 Jun 2013 21:41:37 -0700 (PDT), dplayer

Post by dplayer
Battery is fresh and connections are tight.

But is the cable under the insulation in good condition? It may be
corroded where you cannot see it. The connections are tight, but are
they clean and making good contact?

This applies to both ends, not just the battery.