[TX08manualGXP]

this morning the 06 would not start. No codes and everything seemed normal. All the lights came on and the gauges did their sweep but Nada. I tried it a couple times myself and really pushed on the clutch hard with no luck. ended up rolling it to the end of the driveway so I could get the 08 out and take my son to work. He says it's been going on for a while now and he usually just waits a few minutes and it works but he was in a hurry. would have been nice if he mentioned this the first two times but nooooo. at lunch, I tried it and it cranked up just fine. I went ahead and switched keys just to be safe as it sounded like either the wrong key was being used or the pedal switch was at fault. I did test the pedal switch and it turns over several inches before you put it to the floor. any ideas as to what could be causing this?

 

[rob the elder]

The only time my car would not start was when the BCM forgot the key code. I noticed that it would crank, start and immediately shut off. I called my tech and he asked if the key/lock symbol was lit. It was. This is the anti-theft system that strangely allows the car to start, then immediately shuts it off.

If you are getting this behavior, check for the dash indicator light.

there is a documented process to relearn the key that is documented in several threads. If you need it I can go find it.

The only other reason I can think of for a failure to start is a battery problem. How old is the battery? Is the engine ground sound? Front left side of the engine. Are the terminals clean?

Good luch.

 

[Seltzinator]

Someone was else was having this exact same problem a few weeks ago, Charlie, and it was the clutch pedal switch (he strongly believed it was at least). I don't know if he ever got it resolved.

Did you try to get it rolling and start it by popping the clutch?

 

[TX08manualGXP]

well, it's not the key. I have another key that is NOT programmed for it and the light comes on and come to think of it, the engine does ( did at the time as this was weeks ago) turn over, starts and dies. this morning, when I turned the key, I got nothing. No clicking, cranking, hissing, nothing. all the lights were on and bright and windows would go up and down at normal speed. nothing like a battery problem. it acted like the clutch pedal switch. at lunch time, I intended on trouble shooting the problem but the damn thing just fired right up. it's an intermittant problem. it was cold last night but numbnuts didn't get home till after 3 so it's not like it sat all night. all I can do for now is un-plug connectors, spray contact cleaner and blow out with my air gun and hope I never get a repeat.

 

[rob the elder]

well, it's not the key. I have another key that is NOT programmed for it and the light comes on and come to think of it, the engine does ( did at the time as this was weeks ago) turn over, starts and dies. this morning, when I turned the key, I got nothing. No clicking, cranking, hissing, nothing. all the lights were on and bright and windows would go up and down at normal speed. nothing like a battery problem. it acted like the clutch pedal switch. at lunch time, I intended on trouble shooting the problem but the damn thing just fired right up. it's an intermittant problem. it was cold last night but numbnuts didn't get home till after 3 so it's not like it sat all night. all I can do for now is un-plug connectors, spray contact cleaner and blow out with my air gun and hope I never get a repeat.

Check the battery. All the symptoms you describe have been observed with a battery that was at the end of its life. If its the OEM battery, its definately beyond its life span.

The cars are so dependent on the computers and lots of DC power that even a minor issue can result in strangeness.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

well, I've never had a battery last longer than 4 years in the Houston heat so really I doubt it's the original. will check though and see. should have a tag or sticker indicating mfg date. thanks. will add it to the list of suspect components.

 

[Seltzinator]

well, it's not the key. I have another key that is NOT programmed for it and the light comes on and come to think of it, the engine does ( did at the time as this was weeks ago) turn over, starts and dies. this morning, when I turned the key, I got nothing. No clicking, cranking, hissing, nothing. all the lights were on and bright and windows would go up and down at normal speed. nothing like a battery problem. it acted like the clutch pedal switch. at lunch time, I intended on trouble shooting the problem but the damn thing just fired right up. it's an intermittant problem. it was cold last night but numbnuts didn't get home till after 3 so it's not like it sat all night. all I can do for now is un-plug connectors, spray contact cleaner and blow out with my air gun and hope I never get a repeat.

Charlie, try roll-starting it when the problem occurs. This will give you some diagnostic information. Rob can comment on this, but if this is due to a battery condition, I don't think it would start up from a roll-start if the key won't work.

That should narrow it down to the clutch pedal switch or a problem with the ignition system. In that case, you'd just replace the clutch pedal switch.

If you can't get it to clutch start from a roll, then you have some other problem and you can take it from there.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

Hey Nathan,

let me know when you are available to come push my car for your "recommended" roll start. Houston is flat as a pancake and my driveway incline is barely enough for water to run down it. That is a good idea though and would eliminate a couple things.

 

[2.4solstice06]

I agree with checking the battery / connections. Last time my car did this exact thing to me, the positive battery terminal had come loose. I tightened it up and never had a problem again. Also, try tapping the starter with a SOFT rubber mallet (permanent magnet starters can be ruined with a metal hammer) while trying to crank. The starter may have a dead spot on it which would explain the intermittent condition. I would try checking the battery stuff first though.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

well, I've had some solenoid problems before that required banging on it with a mallet but when this this is acting up, you get no sound or click or nothing. if it was a starter, you'd think it would at least try to engage. I also had a Nissan with a started relay problem and it got so bad that someone had to bang on it with a stick while the other person turned the key. I later gave it to the wife and she felt weird the day she went to the store and it acted up and she had to ask a perfect stranger to Bang On Her Box I'm gonna pull the battery terminals and clean them and the posts and apply some dielectric grease to them and tighten real good. Might pull a couple fuses and make sure they are clean and not glazed over as well. it sat from 9PM till 7:39 this morning and fired right up.

 

[[email protected]]

Hello,

Typical things that we have seen here that will cause an issue like that is the following:

- Battery is dead or weak
- Clutch pedal sensor is out of adjustment/worn
- Ground to engine (on passenger side of engine torward the front above the exhaust manifold) is corroded. Remove, clean and re-install.

Those are the most common ones we have ran into, there are others, but they are definitely not as common as the ones above on a NA 2.4L.

Hope that helps,
Dave

 

[rob the elder]

Thanks Dave. Glad to see you drop by. :thumbs:

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks Dave. Glad to see you drop by. :thumbs:

Anytime Its nice having some new faces in the shop to take a little load off and allow some more time on the forum, maybe even a little WOT time

 

[rob the elder]

How is Brian's rebuild coming along?

 

[[email protected]]

How is Brian's rebuild coming along?

He is picking up on Friday

Picture of our new help attached

 

[The_Ghost]

He is picking up on Friday

Picture of our new help attached

:thumbs:

I vote battery. Check the battery...it's dead. Time to replace it. These cars act very differently then any other car when the battery gets weak.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

- Ground to engine (on passenger side of engine torward the front above the exhaust manifold) is corroded. Remove, clean and re-install.

Those are the most common ones we have ran into, there are others, but they are definitely not as common as the ones above on a NA 2.4L.

well, I looked at the battery and it's fairly new. However, the ground strap is something to look at. especially since that was the side that got the damage and the wheel well liner ripped off. that whole area was covered in grass and caked on dirt. will remove, scratch, grease and re-install. Thanks.

 

[Seltzinator]

well, I looked at the battery and it's fairly new. However, the ground strap is something to look at. especially since that was the side that got the damage and the wheel well liner ripped off. that whole area was covered in grass and caked on dirt. will remove, scratch, grease and re-install. Thanks.

What's the easiest way to access that area? I can't see how its removed by looking at it. Do I need to remove the turbo?

 

[DaveOC]

What's the easiest way to access that area? I can't see how its removed by looking at it. Do I need to remove the turbo?

It is removed by first removing the passenger side fender (GM approved and recommended) or by removing the passenger side front wheel well, and wheel.

DBG has a good video over at KP forum.

http://vimeo.com/14513041

.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

what are you trying to get at? to get to the battery i think the fender would be easiest. when I had the wheel and liner off, you still couldn't completely access the battery. You can however get a good look at everything with the wheel well liner removed. just be sure and buy a new package of those push pin fasteners. i bought 2 packs and used one on the liner and am finding random things that need them. 2nd pack is almost gone.