I have a 92 Pontiac Firebird, and yesterday after it sat, parked for almost 2 hours, I started it, it ran for a second or two, then it died. I tried to restart it, and there was nothing, not even the sound of it trying to start. I had lost all power. I tried several times to restart it, but still nothing. I called Triple A,and the guy tried everything, he checked the battery, it had a full charge.
( the battery was brand new) I had also just gotten this car out of the shop the day before, and brakes and an oil leak were fixed, spent lots and lots of money!) The Triple A mechanic said something about it possibly being a "main fuse"..and said he didn't think he should put one in, as it could do some harm if that wasn't the problem, We agreed that it had to be towed, so I waited for the tow truck. Shortly after the Triple A mechanic left, ( and before the tow truck came, ) I tried to start it, and it started. i drove home with the car. It has started several times since,
2007-06-23 01:34:56 · 21 answers · asked by JoJoCieCie 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I am skepticle abput taking it anywhere now, because it could do this again. I had noticed that for the last few weeks or so, that it had a cranking sound when starting the car.
Could this be the problem? Does it possibly need a new starter? Could it be the "main fuse' as the Triple A mechanic thought?
I will take it back to the garage, but I was wondering what ideas or suggestions on what could possibly be wrong with it.
Thanks for your help!
2007-06-23 01:38:09 · update #1
For us to sit and guess and what it could be with out doing checks is like pulling answers out of a hat. There are so many things that could cause your problem on this car. If it wasn't turning over at all, a standard starting system check of load testing the battery then doing a volt drop on the main cables and control cables is the best place for them to start. If nothing is found there your starter is probably junk. They will probably do a starter amp draw test (not really needed). If they don't do the cable checks and just change the starter you may be in for more headaches later (a bad connection in your starting system can cause starter failure so the new starter may go out from the same thing as the first) I wish you luck.
2007-06-23 02:29:21 · answer #1 · answered by t k 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry I dissagree with all the answers. GM delco batterys are notorious for acid leaking onto the posistve battery cable connection SEE if your's has two red vinyl terminal covers or one go to the auto parts store and buy either long or short battery replacement bolts (one connection or two) and get an extra for the negitive side. Also buy a stainless steel tooth brush hope you have a piece of sand paper and a file at home. use a 5/16" wrench unbolt negaitve first then positive using vice grips pull twist the old corroded bolt out and slip off the vinyl covers. Each connector must be cleaned till it looks like copper again file knife scrape and stainless steel tooth brush and sand paper wash off the vinyl covers soap and water slip the covers back on with the new battery bolts reinstall the positive first then the negative tighten down so the connector feels tight and the wires cannot be turned. That should do it. The wrecker driver was seeing the voltage at the battery bolt not the voltage that was not getting to the starter from the corroded connection.
2007-06-23 01:53:46 · answer #2 · answered by John Paul 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Like Mikey and frank f have said. You didn't get the whole story. There is NO WAY the police or anyone but the owner of the car is going to have to pay for damages and like stated here is why. If spikes are used on a vehicle, it was most likely in a pursuit. This means that the driver is breaking the law for not pulling over. (Even if it was the wrong car) At this point the driver is going to be arrested and is committing a crime. The police use spike strips to stop the vehicle, and driver is arrested. Any damage to the vehicle that is caused is the responsibility of the driver or owner at this point.
2016-05-18 01:57:43 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like you have a problem in your "neutral start switch" this is a switch mounted on the side of the transmission. It's there to keep you from starting your car in any gears but neutral and park. If you had a mechanic under your vehicle recently, he might have accidentally knocked the connector loose. This will give you the symptoms you described. If you can find your shift linkage on your transmission, the switch should be near it. If the connection is good, then replace the switch.
2007-06-28 19:06:02 · answer #4 · answered by havetowait 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Carefully reading your question I would have to say the problem is in the ignition system since the car was runing and then it died(started ok{battery power good} and it cranked after it sat for a while) this is a typical problem with ignition switches,specially in the early 90's (GM)
I hope this helps.
2007-06-29 18:17:17 · answer #5 · answered by zapolipo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Someone needs to spend some time checking the electrical connections at the battery and especially the starter,where the main power to the vehicle is supplied from.
2007-06-23 02:54:07 · answer #6 · answered by wildmanny2 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it could be (because i had avery similar problem with one of my chevy trucks about the same age) in the ignition switch, mine wasworn to the point that it would not turn the vehichle on. sometimes it would crank sometimes not, just depended on how you turned the key. could also have been the the switch on the transmision shifter was not engaged so that it wouldallow it to start. ive also encournterd this, you will have to take it to a very good trust worhty mech. if it does it again.,,,,,,,,,,,,,after reading what you added it is the solonoid on the starter sticking, it is probaly time to replace it
2007-06-23 01:44:57 · answer #7 · answered by outg426 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the starter or the ignition switch is bad. Take it to Auto Zone and have them check your starter, it is the cheaper of the two parts, and the cheapest to pay labor to have it changed.
2007-06-30 19:51:59 · answer #8 · answered by William B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take your car to an proffesional auto electrician and let them check your starting system here are some of possible causes of the problem
bad earth connection
worn out starter solenoid
worn out starter key barrel
broken or frayed starter live cable
starter bendix drive sticking
faulty inhibitor switch
hope it helps
2007-06-30 22:32:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a similar problem once, and after a lot of expensive diagnostics, found out that it was just a weak ground. Check all of your ground connections in the engine compartment.
2007-06-23 02:43:49 · answer #10 · answered by dokon@sbcglobal.net 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋