Anyone ran across a problem like this:
I tried to start my 2000 Cavalier LS sedan 2.2L about 4 days ago and it turn over about 1/2 a crank and quit. It sounded strong, not like a dead battery...more like my finger had slipped off the key. After that it would not crank over at all. I pulled the battery anyways and had it tested. It was 8 years old so I expected it to fail. Installed a new battery and I got the same thing...that is to say....nothing. Then I noticed that I really do have nothing. No accessory power at all. No radio, no windows, no dash lights. Anything that should be on when I turn the key is not. The horn works, headlights work, basically anything that is supposed to work without the key even in the ignition still works. Anyone know if there are fusible links that might be causing this? I checked all the fuses under the hood and in the left side of the dash, but they are all good. I am at a loss.
bad ground? check your fuses?
I check every fuse in the engine compartment and in the left side of the dash. The battery grounds out at the tray...I haven't pulled it apart although it looks very clean with no corrosion on it at all. That being said...I am getting battery power to other areas. Headlights, tail lights, horn, I can even eject a CD out of the radio...just can't turn it on. It apears to be ONLY the accessory power.
sounds like an issue in the ignition/acc fuse area... do you have dash lights? theft light maybe? Check the Accessory and ignition fuses for power with a test light, see if you are even getting power to the fuses.
ign switch bad? or can that even be a problem..
EDIT
i just googled your symptoms.. looks like it always comes back at the Ignition switch.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Monday, October 10, 2011 4:51 PM
fuses can be bad and still look good.. check them with a test light on both of the test terminals on the back of the fuse.
Yeah....I was afraid it might be the ignition switch...I remember there being a recall a few years back on the ignition switch...something about them catching fire? I am defintiely going to throw a meter on the fuses before I go hunting an ignition switch down. For those that asked about the theft light...it is not on...there are no lights on the dash at all and when I plug the code scanner up...it says something about no connection hich I am assuming just means that it need accessory power to operate.
Just reading the initial post and I was totally thinking it is def your ignition switch.Just try jiggling the switch in very(VERY) small incriments.This problem is not uncommon in just Js.The contacts internally are probably just worn out.I would stay away from used stuff and go NEW your choice on where to buy.Good luck and advance auto or auto zone,napa would prob be cheaper than any dealer price.
Everyone who said the ignition switch, pat yourself on the back. That fixed it. $80 for a battery and $45 for the switch...still...$125 a year...yeah...I'll cover that all day long. Now...anyone know WTF that little proprietary screw that holds the ignition switch in is called? lol
GRRRRRRR!!!!! Well...it started good for about 3 days...now back to the same problem! Anyone that did NOT have recall #04002 done (ignition switch relay kit) and had issues like this? I am thinking that I burned up another ignition switch
