starter not working

When this happens, have a helper turn the key to the start position while you check for voltage to the starter's smaller wire. You should be getting 12+ volts. Let me know what you find.

This guide will help us

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down this guide and report back.

I checked all plugs and fuses. I turn the key, everything lights up (normal) but the engine won't turn? What could it be?

Here is the wiring diagram that you are going to have to follow to test the circuit.

I am having to same problem with my 1999 Montana.

Help the engine does not crank

Pick your symptom below:

Cranks but no start condition:

Fuel and Spark:
Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,coil's resistances,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.

Compression:
If both fuel and spark is present-check the valve and ignition timing, this will lead you to problems
with compression and valves opening and closing at the wrong time/broken or jumped timing
belt/chain.


No crank at all/nothing/nada:

Could be the starter, starter relay, clutch switch/park and neutral switch and ignition switch assuming the battery and connections are good.

I have no clue it was about my 2001 pontiac montana and the starter issue I replaced it and the gage clusters are jumping around I believe it might be a voltage regulator problem also Ive noticed the starter is sparking upon trying to start it. The car wont start unless its jumped. What would make it spark why wont it start unless its jumped any help would be great. Thanks.

it's sparking because the starter is shorting or wires are hitting someplace they shouldn't be. you may have a bad battery as well.get them both checked

The battery is good, starter is good. Yesterday my security light was coming on as well as low fuel.The night before i slept in the van and I kept starting it to keep battery from going dead and to have heat (was watch a movie in it. I went to start it and nothing. I believe I ran it low on fuel but I put 15 dollars in it yesterday and it still says low fuel. Like I said it was flashing low fuel and security? Any ideas?

Either the battery is drained or the security system is triggerre and not allowing you to crank. Try a jump start to see if it works.

battery charged, all my lights radio work, and had on a 50amp charger and tried to jump start n nothing

The security system is triggerred. Try closing all doors and using the key to lock unlock and retest.

i just redid the security thing and now battery dead

Check the battery terminals. Try cleaning and retightening them.

hi my van will not start or even try to turn over ,,the battery is new and in working order ............what could cause this problem ??? everything else works
thank you all

No crank at all/nothing/nada:

Could be the starter, starter relay, clutch switch/park and neutral switch and ignition switch assuming the battery and connections are good.

done that lol

So is the battery dead or what?
Maybe you need a new one?

the battery is good

You said battery is good and it is dead? No indicators etc when switch turned on?

You need to provide us with as much information as possible because we are working blind and you are our eyes.

Battery and alternator have power. You can can hear the starter spin, engine sounds wore out and weak when you turn the key it slowly waers down to no sound and just won't crank....

OK the starter spins, does it crank the motor? If yes and it's slow, try jumper cables with another car, if it starts, check the starter it may be drawing too many amps, or your battery cables need to be replaced. Old cables cause voltage drops, so less power reaches the starter.
Start by checking the negative battery cable, check connections by removing them at both ends, clean the contact area as well as the cable ends, I use emery cloth to to this, make it nice and brite!

tried all that affraid the SOB might of just locked up. We have even turned the crank by hand to try to free it but......She may be a goner

Pull the plugs to see if it turns by hand, MUCH harder with plugs in. Oil level and condition? Any metal flakes?

oil level was low.noticed about 2 days before it quick running "chocolate milk" color oil leaking,but it wasn't burnig oil and head gasket is still good Think the intake gasket went bad.then..she quit..crank is very hard 2 turn by hand..no metal flake...we've tried jumping it, turn crank with breaker bar..still won't start..battery alt. and starter are good..makes a slow sick sound that dies out and then just won't start?

If you have a choco milk appearance, then anti freeze has defiantly got into the oil, ether by a bad gasket, or by a cracked or warped head or cracked water jacket, it's toast...

Engine Mechanical problem
2000 Pontiac Montana 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

motor will not turn over with key but can jump across starter and motor will start have put new starter and battery

If you can jump the solenoid to starter chances are the small wire that send input to the starter is not sending power. The easiest checked would be to check the fuse and swap the relay. You can locate the fuse and relay panel in the owners manual. find the starter fuse pull it out and make sure its not blown. If fuse is ok swap the relay with another relay such as the a/c relay. These are some quick checks. It maybe more than something simple. Such as a module or a broken wire.

I have a 99 Pontaic Montanna WITH A 3.4 L . It is missing on #3,4 cylinders. The heads were recently redone. It cranks over but and you push on gas slightly and it sounds like a popcorn maker. The original machanic started to pull the moter but told him no. He said it has a broken cam. What do you think.

Have your mechanic check the coil pack for correct operation. The two cylinders in question should provide spark to ground. Also make sure that these two plug wires are not "crossed" All this is assuming good spark plugs and plug wires. The cam being broke should only be the last possible problem to suspect. It is possible that during the last service job ( head work) has caused this problem. (such as cam being out of time)

tested and it said that there is a engine mis fire and will not turn over

i take it that it has "flatlined"

did this happen as you were driving?

codes say mis-fire

and engine will not crank over


do you have power to anything?

can you test voltage at battery posts with a voltmeter?

is your battery dead? or really low on volts?

may be a problem with the charging system/ battery

sometimes if your gauges sorta go haywire--engine starts mis-firing

most likely---battery dying/ then dead

alternator/ battery failure/ something in the system failure (it was the alternator, in the case i dealt with)



un-jewg the battery completely from your rig (remove both cables for all ya'll yankee types!)

computer will reset

charge old battery/ replace old battery, which ever works best...before re-installed

jump starting may make you "go", but the problems persist

...........the computer ain't been reset, till you un-jewg and re-install "fresh" battery (some 'round here say, "bat-stree"!)

once underway---check system for, "not charging" (for whatever of many reasons!).....we can offer ideas

or maybe it's just a "run down good battery" (lights left on, etc) or just a plain ole bad battery.........even brand new stuff can be bad, double checking, may save your sanity (i tore my jeep apart for days, before i realized my new replacement ignition module was bad too...was moments from crying!)

if you are unable to do testing, many popular auto parts stores will do this load testing, charging system testing for you for free!!!---on vehicle or off

just get it there fast as you can with the fully charged battery, before the process repeats itself!

keep us updated

the medic

I just replaced the battery and altenator in my van and now the van wont turn over. It died the other night engine and all electrical power at the same time.

Now that you replaced the battery and alternator what is it doing-refusing to start or what??????

It is refusing to start. I replaced the starter today and it is still doing the same thing. The starter will engage but will not turn the motor over. Pontiac tells me there is no security system to stop it. I'm at a loss...

If the starter is engaging the engine and its not turning the engine over-the starter overrunning clutch is slipping-double check the battery connections to include the starter side and make sure the battery has an open voltage of 12.5 volts and higher-How's the battery cables conditions? Could be a voltage drop problem.

The cables are in bad condition so I replaced them and it starts right up.

Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.