Bonneville won't crank
#1
09-15-07, 05:22 AM
Bonneville won't crank
I have a 96 Bonneville 3.8 that won't even turn over. Full battery, good fuel pump, etc. I've checked relays, fuses, switches, neutral safety, both sets of keys, etc. What I can't check (locate) is the Ign. key chip reader. Seems GM is very secretive about this. It's only got 260,000 mi. and more to go, used no oil, no tranny prob. It's not time for the Sledge.
#2
09-15-07, 09:28 AM
Do you have lights? No lights could mean your cable/connections are bad.
I'd also check immediate fusible links often clustered just downstream from the battery.
Other than that, you are starting to get into a seek and destroy mission where you wonder where to start looking first.
You could start at the starter to see if when key is turned to start, if that energizes that wire.
I'd also check immediate fusible links often clustered just downstream from the battery.
Other than that, you are starting to get into a seek and destroy mission where you wonder where to start looking first.
You could start at the starter to see if when key is turned to start, if that energizes that wire.
#3
09-15-07, 12:09 PM
ok you can do this without the chip reader take a ohm meter and ohm ur key then under the dash right at bottom of column look for a small connector with 2 wires coming from the ignition switch disconnect it and put ur key in the ignition switch now check that connector coming down for the same resistance u saw on ur key
i wouldnt be suprised if it is open the older gm theft systems were common for breaking wires right at the switch
i wouldnt be suprised if it is open the older gm theft systems were common for breaking wires right at the switch
#5
09-16-07, 12:18 PM
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Im with Br1an on this one. There are a few ways to go about repairing this, one is to replace the ignition cylinder and have new keys cut. I will not post how to do the other repair
. Lets see what your findings are from Br1an's suggestion and we'll go from there.
Just make sure the wires you are ohming are white. Them wires should be in an orange loom. Stay away from the wires that have the yellow looms and connectors, them are for the airbags.
. Lets see what your findings are from Br1an's suggestion and we'll go from there.Just make sure the wires you are ohming are white. Them wires should be in an orange loom. Stay away from the wires that have the yellow looms and connectors, them are for the airbags.
#6
09-18-07, 04:31 AM
Both keys checked ok. The wires coming down didn't with key in. I couldn't trace the wires to see where they went. They have to be in the start engine series. Can I do away with the reader? It's an old car, I want to go cheap unless it has to do with performance or safety.
#7
09-18-07, 08:04 AM
lol well mr dummas i know what your going to say foe the second repair and i agree if he doesnt want to buy a cyl
get a resistor that equals the key resistance and install it in the wires at the connector leading away from the column connector will think it sees the key and start every time
get a resistor that equals the key resistance and install it in the wires at the connector leading away from the column connector will think it sees the key and start every time
#8
09-18-07, 03:54 PM
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Yup, cheap and easy. Kinda how I like my women too
#9
09-18-07, 06:46 PM
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bad news bringer
I was hoping someone else would mention this but, have you checked the coolant level? If the coolant is low, I would bet the lower intake gaskets are leaking into the cylinders. Remove the spark plugs and see if it will spin over? If it does you know where the problem is.
#10
09-19-07, 04:48 AM
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I considered mentioning that early on, but from the way the discussion has been going it appears to be electrical. If it was locked up from a cylinder full of water he should be getting a nice loud CLACK when he turns the key; I'm under the impression he gets nothing at all.
#11
09-19-07, 05:29 AM
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Bonneville won't crank
I had this problem with the wifes car and took the key and scrubbed it with a tooth brush and soap. No problems since. But if you tried two keys that may not work. Cheap and easy to try tho. RW
#12
09-19-07, 05:28 PM
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He's not getting a resistance reading from the ignition cylinder with the key in it. That indicates a wire is broken from the ignition cylinder, very common with these cars. Only way to fix it is to replace the cylinder and have a new ignition key cut, or put a resistor that matched the key's resistance in that circuit. Only bad thing with the resistor deal, the security system is pretty much disabled, making it easier for a theif to swipe.
