Hi There -
My 2003 ecotec, manual transmission will not start.
It has been driving fine and only has 170,000km. I took a quick trip down the road to a friend's - when I left and went to start the car. Nothing. Here is some information:
-The car is not turning over.
-The battery is fine (all lights, radio, etc. are bright & work fine).
-I tried boosting just to be certain.
-The batter side terminals are not corroded.
-I have armed & unarmed the alarm on the car with the key fob.
-When I turn and hold the in the starting position two lights appear in the cluster: 1) is a car with a lock and 2) is the battery. This may or may not mean anything.
-I am certain that I am pressing the clutch all the way to the floor.
-The shifter is in neutral.
-The starter has not been giving me any trouble. Despite this - I did knock the started with a hammer.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Fuel pump. Can you hear it turn on?
if its not turning over at all its NOT the fuel pump. and pretty sure if its a theft lock issue it will at least turn over, just not start.
sounds more like an ignition issue
Ah sorry guys:
-Fuel pump sounds fine.
-Will not turnover at all / nothing - no clicks, no nothing, but I believe battery is fine.
Next steps?
I thought I pulled a fuse out once, left the car for 30 seconds or something, put it back in and it fired right up.
see if the wire has come off the starter, possible bad relay
Push start it and see if it goes
Check the safety interlock switch... top of the clutch assy. I've had mine fail and fiddling with it a couple of times by hand seemed to free it up.
What was this about pulling a fuse for 30 seconds and it started?
Just an FYI, when my starter went, it did exactly what your describing and I got nothing by tapping it with a hammer. But the problem was my starter.
There is also a clutch position switch under the clutch pedal. Its all black, about a 2"long narrow rectangular shape. This switch is a very simple, low failure rate design, but its possible. To test it, unplug the connector from it, jump the terminals, make sure the car is in neutral, and attempt to start. If you still get nothing, then My money's on starter. 170k km is just about the same mileage my starter went too. Mine went at 104k miles.
You can get solenoids for a fraction of a price if your starter motor is mine. Mine did the same thing last week and I was quoted almost 200$ for a starter and around 40$ for a solenoid.
Guys - thanks a lot for your help.
Sunfiretun3r, I checked the switch as per your notes. It was fine. Next, I tried pull starting the car and it fired right up. Starter may be shot? How do you know if it is the Solenoid or the Start? Worth doing myself or recommend taking to a mechanic?
My memory is foggy on this - but there was another time where the car wouldn't start. My friend told me to pull a fuse (can't recall which) and re-insert it. This did the trick and the car started. Sorry I don't have more information.
Thank you!
You can take it to a parts store and have them check it.
Sounds like the ignition switch went on you. Mine has gone out twice on my '02 Cavalier. I get no warning at all. I go to start the car and just get no response at all from the starter. Mine push started no problem and that's what I had to do a few times just to make it to/from work. Make sure you park on a hill so you can push start it easily. It wasn't a cheap fix for me when mine went, but I was busy and couldn't do it myself so the shop raped me.
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