My 00 Sunfire 2.2 suddenly stopped starting. I checked the starter and battery, both were fine. I installed a new ignition switch and nada. I'm pretty sure there's no starter relay on it so it's not that. The lock cylinder turns all the way forward. The gauges initialize and I hear the fuel pump but no fire. I'm down to trying a push button start which I really don't want to do. Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Thanks for reading.
James
james harris wrote:My 00 Sunfire 2.2 suddenly stopped starting. I checked the starter and battery, both were fine. I installed a new ignition switch and nada. I'm pretty sure there's no starter relay on it so it's not that. The lock cylinder turns all the way forward. The gauges initialize and I hear the fuel pump but no fire. I'm down to trying a push button start which I really don't want to do. Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Thanks for reading.
James
Please define "stopped starting".
Does the starter engage and turn over the motor but it just cranks and cranks and cranks but doesn't start?
Or. when you turn the key you get nothing, the starter does NOT spin the engine?
I'm just a little confused about your problem, hence can offer no advice.
Dave
Sorry Dave I should have been more specific. The starter does NOT engage at all. No clicking or anything. And this was very sudden.The car runs (can be push-started) and drives just fine. I also took the starter in to have it tested and it is fine. I confirmed this by jumpering with a screwdriver and it started.
So i know the problem is between the key and the starter. The lock cylinder works fine. Thanks for your help.
James
Hi,
check the easy things first.
Automatic? There is a neutral start switch that allows the starter to work only if the car is in park or neutral. This could have gone bad or needs adjustment
Stick shift. There is a switch hooked to the clutch system that prevents the starter from working if the clutch isn't pushed down ALL THE WAY. Again, could be out of adjustment or have gone bad.
Make sure all of the wires are connected to the starter and that they are tight and clean.
If you have a test light you can easily start tracing where you have electricity and where you don't. Just get a wiring diagram and start following the starter circuit.
Good Luck
Dave
Yeah ,one of the first things i did was push that switch down with my hand and try to start it which didn't work. But perhaps it does need replacing. Thanks for giving me another idea!
James
What about the fusible link from the alternator? Does that kill the starter too?
How is your connection to the battery? Is the terminal all corroded (sp?). Sometimes that causes the starter not to start.
