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What could be wrong with my car? Please help?

I need help with my car, I have a 1999 Pontiac grand am V6, On Christmas day, We left our house and the car started fine, When we went to leave we couldn't start the car. We try to start and get nothing, not even it trying to kick over. At first we thought it could be the battery so we replaced it, Well that wasn't it. Does anyone know if it could be the starter or the ignition, Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Update:

We did check all the fuses, The lights on and in the car are fine, we have daytime running lights so we can not shut them off, but when we do try to start it all the lights go off, when the car was running and we would start it the head lights would dim, The car was running fine until Christmas day, no warning lights came on ,on the dash.

7 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    If your battery is new, it could be your starter is the problem. Have it check first before replacing. Sometimes it can be fix by greasing it. Hope this helps!

    Source(s): Car enthusiast
  • 1 decade ago

    I cannot help you with specifics on that car, but generally speaking the problem you describe sounds like a fuse. I am thinking main fuse or fusible link. If you open the door does your dome light normally come on? If so, open the door and see if the dome light comes on now. If it doesn't check some other things that are supposed to work without the key on. Electric locks should always work without the key. Generally, brake lights work without the key. If none of these work I would suspect a blown main fuse, circuit breaker or fusible link. Main fuses and breakers are usually in a fuse block under the hood. Fusible links are usually on a wire near the battery.

    If you do have some battery power to the car but, it won't start the next thing to check is what happens when the key is turned to the "run" position. If the oil or engine light comes on and/or the dash lights come on and the radio comes on the problem is likely in the starter relay or the starter. If nothing at all happens when the key is turned on the problem is most likely the ignition switch itself or the one of the ignition circuit breakers or fuses, and it could also be a relay.

  • 1 decade ago

    Check your starter relay first. Should be a small box that connects to one fo the cables from the batter on the way to the starter. I know what they look for in old cars but not new ones, but basically what it does is it controls the power going from your battery to the starter to make sure the starter isnt kicking over all the time..... so usually it has a big wire coming into it from either side. If you can jump the current across that (use some pliers with rubber grips) and open them wide and then touch each side of the metal at the same time and it will spark and should kick over your starter. If it doesnt then it sounds like your starter is out or possibly your ignition.......

  • 1 decade ago

    Have you been having problems with the ignition, if not , I don't believe it's the ignition, could be the starter,check all your fuses,under the hood and under the dash,check for loose battery wires!

    Turn the headlights on and try to start the car, if the lights go dim or out, the new battery

    is dead!If the lights stay on, could be the starter!

  • 1 decade ago

    It is possible that your starter has gone out , or the battery cable on your starter has come loose , or even the relay on the starter is bad ( don`t try the pliers trick as this is dangerous and can cause personal injury if you don`t know where to do it ) have the starter tested and they can tell you if it needs to be replaced

    Source(s): 30+ years as a professional mechanic
  • 1 decade ago

    ignition, if its not even clickiing or anything start with the simple stuff. Check the fuses and check undeneath the steering column to see if there are any loose wires. My aunt kicked her ign. power wire off and all i had to do was connect it back. if al else fails it may just be the ignition itself. its not the starter, iif it were you would hear it "click" or trying to engage

    Source(s): 10 years exp.
  • Is the "security" light flashing with the key on?????????????

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