I have a strange problem, but any time I wanna diagnose the problem it isnt there. Wanted to see if any one else has ran across anything similar.

2002 Cavalier base 2200 engine with 55K miles. A couple times I've went to start the car and it wouldnt crank... not even a click from the starter. Plenty of juice there. So one time when it happened I beat on the starter and solenoid for a bit and it still wouldnt even click. I kept turning the key and maybe it was in my mind, but the time it finally cranked I think I held the key in the start position a bit longer.

The other odd thing is that twice when I started the car, it acted like it had too much timing. It turned a few revolutions normal, then took one major grunting crank, then turned over normal again and started. The radio now shows cal err also, I dont recall it ever saying that before.

If I could get it to not start again, I was gonna mess with the shifter thinking its maybe a shifter interlock issue, or jump the starter, or check for voltage at the starter.

Am I on the right track? What seems odd about the whole thing is that when it doesnt crank, I dont even get a click at the starter. Also the starter sounds perfect when it starts.

Thanks to any one for input.




JLP
02 LS sedan<---- Daily duty
04 LS Sport Sedan<----- The nice car
79 Monte<--- The Hot Rod ---> 11.59 @ 113.85

First....I would get a test light and see if you have power to the ignition wire on the starter solenoid. If you do then I would have the battery tested to make sure you have plenty of power there. If the battery shows good yank the starter out and have it checked. More than likely you have a solenoid that is going bad.

Also just check all the connections from battery to the starter. Loose connections can cause all sorts of issues. Also some damage may have been done from you beating on the starter causing some of the new issues with the fine,slow, fine starter spin situation. It is never a good idea to smack a starter with any sort of tool as it may cause the magnets inside to loosen up and cause issues as well.