Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

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firehawk315
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Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

Post by firehawk315 » Sun Nov 15, 2015 4:01 pm

Hi, I have a 2001 Firehawk Trans Am and it will not start. When I turn the key I don't get any lights, noises, or attempt at turning over. It acts like the battery is completely dead but the battery is fully charged and the terminals/connections are clean. Before it acted completely dead, it would turn over and act like it was going to start but it wouldn't. I thought it might be the relays because I've had problems with that in the past so I switched them out with new ones and still nothing. I'm just at a loss over why turning the key does absolutely nothing now! Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
Andrea
2001 Firehawk #315

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BLACK-HAWK
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Re: Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

Post by BLACK-HAWK » Sun Nov 15, 2015 6:55 pm

Make sure battery terminal connections is tight and as many other connections you can find. Have you tried jump starting? Test the alternator..
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PontiacFan
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Re: Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

Post by PontiacFan » Sun Nov 15, 2015 6:57 pm

Is the 'Security' light on?
May rule out VATS, ..., if it is not.

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firehawk315
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Re: Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

Post by firehawk315 » Sun Nov 15, 2015 9:21 pm

No, the security light is not on. Checked and tightened all connections to the battery with no change. I've never seen it where turning the key does absolutely nothing. No chimes, lights, etc, turn on at all. I'll have to check over the alternator tomorrow afternoon but I don't believe it is that. Thank you for the ideas, keep them coming! I greatly appreciate it!
Andrea
2001 Firehawk #315

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BLACK-HAWK
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Re: Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

Post by BLACK-HAWK » Sun Nov 15, 2015 9:26 pm

Does the Interior light turn on?
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PontiacFan
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Re: Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

Post by PontiacFan » Mon Nov 16, 2015 9:54 am

Do you have a meter, so you can test the battery?

Hope it doesn't look like this, ...
Image

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NBrehm
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Re: Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

Post by NBrehm » Mon Nov 16, 2015 10:28 am

It's probably the battery cable. There is not much else that will cause the car to go completely dead. Were you working on anything?
-Nick
2001 Formula Firehawk #293

tazman71
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Re: Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

Post by tazman71 » Mon Nov 16, 2015 12:15 pm

Nice pic Kelly.

That is too funny. :lol:
02 Firehawk TA #1237
Black/Black, 1LE, Chrome wheels, Auburn
95 Firehawk #361
Hurst, TOTL, FLP headers, 4.10 Strange 12 bolt, UMI suspension, LT4 HOTCAM, ported stock heads, 52mm Throttle Body, ATI Procharger,
70 Chevelle SS 396
70 Z28 Camaro in pieces

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NBrehm
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Re: Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

Post by NBrehm » Mon Nov 16, 2015 1:50 pm

firehawk315 wrote:No, the security light is not on. Checked and tightened all connections to the battery with no change. I've never seen it where turning the key does absolutely nothing. No chimes, lights, etc, turn on at all. I'll have to check over the alternator tomorrow afternoon but I don't believe it is that. Thank you for the ideas, keep them coming! I greatly appreciate it!
It's def not the alternator. The alternator does nothing until the car is running. It has to be something with either the battery, or the ignition cylinder. If the key is turning normally then it pretty much HAS to be the battery if you are getting 0 power. Follow the ground cable away from the battery and make sure it goes to a good ground on the other end and has rotted or corroded. Also try a different battery. If the battery blew a cell it could still show 12 volts and it would not work. You would also, likely, not be able to jump start it. But if it is stone dead it has to be battery related, there is nothing else in the loop until you start the car.
-Nick
2001 Formula Firehawk #293

tazman71
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Re: Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

Post by tazman71 » Tue Nov 17, 2015 11:01 am

If you find nothing else after trying to jump it, I would drop the starter and have it tested. I have seen bad starters do what you are describing.
02 Firehawk TA #1237
Black/Black, 1LE, Chrome wheels, Auburn
95 Firehawk #361
Hurst, TOTL, FLP headers, 4.10 Strange 12 bolt, UMI suspension, LT4 HOTCAM, ported stock heads, 52mm Throttle Body, ATI Procharger,
70 Chevelle SS 396
70 Z28 Camaro in pieces

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NBrehm
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Re: Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

Post by NBrehm » Tue Nov 17, 2015 12:03 pm

He should still get dash lights if it's a bad starter, unless the positive cable is shorted out or broken.
-Nick
2001 Formula Firehawk #293

tazman71
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Re: Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

Post by tazman71 » Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:32 pm

I have seen this before from a bad starter. Not sure how it did it, but as soon as I put in a new starter, all was good.

Technically the accessories do not need power from the starter since there is a lead from the battery that bypasses this, but again, I have seen this happen. This was on a 78 TA.
02 Firehawk TA #1237
Black/Black, 1LE, Chrome wheels, Auburn
95 Firehawk #361
Hurst, TOTL, FLP headers, 4.10 Strange 12 bolt, UMI suspension, LT4 HOTCAM, ported stock heads, 52mm Throttle Body, ATI Procharger,
70 Chevelle SS 396
70 Z28 Camaro in pieces

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BLACK-HAWK
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Re: Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

Post by BLACK-HAWK » Wed Nov 18, 2015 11:39 am

Any updates firehawk315?
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Mattie
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Re: Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

Post by Mattie » Wed Nov 18, 2015 9:56 pm

I'm thinking fusible link. Prob down toward the starter. If a link goes - result is nothing. As described - no clicks, lights or anything.

Worth a look.....
mattie

2000 T/A Firehawk #C15
Black, T-tops, 6spd.

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firehawk315
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Re: Car refuses to start. Need ideas!

Post by firehawk315 » Wed Nov 18, 2015 11:42 pm

Sorry for the late reply, my husband ended up in the hospital with pneumonia but is out and feeling better now. Anyhow, I will check the battery over thoroughly tomorrow and make sure nothing is rusted off or the battery is bad. The interior lights do not come on. The light on my husband's wireless code reader turned on so there is a little power to obd port has some form of power. Tragically, it says there are no codes. I wasn't working on anything at the time. I was just trying to start it to drive it into the garage. The car attempted to start twice and then everything went dead... And I cried a little on the inside. 😞 I really appreciate all of the suggestions and will do better at posting updates! Thank you all!!
Andrea
2001 Firehawk #315

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