2001 Impala LS intermittent starting issue

Ok, my 2001 Impala LS with 90K miles is starting to give us some grief. It has been a reasonably reliable car until now.

Anyhow, the car won't start (turn over) intermittently. No check engine lights-No 'security' lights. Battery voltage is at 12.9V at rest.

You turn the key to the run position, and you get the proper dash lights, turn to start, and nothing. You hear a click of a relay, but nothing else.

Let the car sit for 1 hour, and it starts and runs just fine for the next few days.

So, shall I assume a starter with a dead spot? Bad ingition switch?

Any advice is appreciated!

Take care, Bill

Reply to
billccm
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Take a close look and make sure there is no aftermarket alarm, or remote starter installed.

Reply to
PeterD

Thanks for the reply, but I have owned the car since it was a year old (8 years), and there is no aftermarket alarm.

Reply to
billccm

Dont assume anything. That can cost you a lot of money before you find the problem.

Start at the beginning and look at the condition of the battery terminals, grounds, and connections to the starter. They should be clean and appropriately tight.

Now, peel back the rubber insulation at the battery cable connectors, and check the inside. GM cables are infamous for developing internal corrosion, and this can lead to intermittent start failures. If those internal connections are corroded, replace the cable.

If you have good connections to the starter, and the problem persists, consider this: (1) the starter/solenoid could be intermittent. If so, it will hard to find by test. You could take it in to a starter shop and let them have a look...These guys - the experienced ones - can test and tell you a lot by the model and the way the parts look. And they can usually repair it.

(2) If the connections to the starter, and the starter itself, are both known good, then you have to have a problem in the primary circuit....the starter switch, the wire to the solenoid, or the stupid antitheft system may be causing you grief.\

If I have missed anything, I am sure others will fill in the blanks.

Reply to
hls

Thanks for the replies. I have been researching this to death on the internet; seems there are many unhappy Impala owners out there with Passlock issues, but I don't think this is the cause of my problem.

Since I do not get a 'security' light, I assume the ignition switch is good, correct?

Most comments on other usegroups suggest starter, or battery cables as common failures to the Impala.

Thanks for any help!

Bill

Reply to
billccm

Since I do not get a 'security' light, I assume the ignition switch is good, correct?

Most comments on other usegroups suggest starter, or battery cables as common failures to the Impala.

Thanks for any help!

Bill ==========================================

A friend's Impala had that problem. After searching the 'Net high and low, we decided to have the battery checked at an auto parts store. Turned out it was on it's way out. Replaced it, and not a problem since. On a side note, do you have a spare key? If so, have you tried using the spare key when the regular key doesn't work? I also encountered the problem you are having in my Grandparent's 1997 Chevy Lumina. Turned out, it was an aftermarket starter/keyless entry that had been installed, that we had no idea was even in the car. From what I could put together from talking to others, it seemed the original remote was lost, so someone installed an aftermarket system. Well, after several years, the system was buggering up the Passlock system. Once we un-hooked the aftermarket system, the car starts perfect.

Reply to
80 Knight

Thanks for the info.

A couple of things to keep in mind; I bought the car when it was a year old demo, and to my knowledge, there is no aftermarket alarm. I even took the dash apart last night and the ignition switch has the factory harness, and there are no splices, cuts, crimps, etc. The car uses the factory GM key fob, and I have the factory Chevy key.

Another item is that the battery voltage is 12.9V at rest, and when I checked it with a voltmeter, having all headlights and accesories on at rest the battery voltage dropped to 12.8V. The battery is less than two years old, so I am not suspecting it as the cause, yet.

To reiterate and think out loud, there is no 'security' light, the starter circuit relay in the fuse panel clicks when the key is turned to the start position, and I get a click under the hood when the key is turned to the start position. I am not suspecting Passlock as the cause, either.

I may take a hip shot and replace the starter, but I do understand that battery cables are an issue here, also.

Thanks again for the inputs and advice, Bill

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

Reply to
billccm

Well, the shop had the car for two days, and the could not replicate the problem (of course).

They did find that the positive battery cable bolt was cracked down the center, so they replaced that. Then they found that the screw at the starter was bent, and they claim it was probably bent from the factory that way, but they replaced that, also.

The starter draw test was fine, the alternator test was good, and the battery passed a load test twice.

No codes anywhere.

They did drive the car home at night and to the shop the next day.

They are out of clues, and only charged me $39 labor for the whole bit.

I'll let you know how it goes. Take care, Bill

.

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

Reply to
billccm

Well for $39, I think they did an outstanding job. Maybe it will stay fixed? It could easily have been the battery terminal bolt.

Reply to
PeterD

Well, it was money down the drain. My wife called, the Impala has stranded her for the third time in 5 days. She wants to go Camry shopping, third strike you're out.

The shop wants to swap the BCM and ignition switch, I really do not want to spend $1600 on a maybe.

Maybe I can talk her > >

Reply to
billccm

Your car is almost ten years old, have you ever compared the cost of Toyota parts for a ten year old car? ;)

The shop wants to swap the BCM and ignition switch, I really do not want to spend $1600 on a maybe.

Maybe I can talk her > >

Reply to
Mike

The shop wants to swap the BCM and ignition switch, I really do not want to spend $1600 on a maybe.

Maybe I can talk her into a Charger, or 300-I really hate to buy Japanese............have a nice day, Bill

****** Dont jump out of the frying pan into the fire. When this sort of thing happens, it can be REALLY offpissing.

The "shop" is freaking guessing. They have no idea what is happening, but will be glad to change parts, at your expense, until they get it right or you buy a Zil.

Reply to
hls

Well, the first day back with the car seems to be fixed. I actually waited around the phone today for my wife to call to say it had stranded her.

So far so good.

I think I need to find a new mechanic; BCM was $275, $79 for programming, and $200 labor. I knew this guy was slightly on the high side, but I think today I overpaid about $100. I will give him some credit in that he spent time on the car until it failed, and he claims to be 100% confident it was the BCM.

If the car still isn't fixed, I will press for the return of the labor paid, and trade this car for a Grand Marquis, or Chrysler 300.

Wish me luck, Bill

Reply to
billccm

I am just sick right now about this car! It stranded my wife today, and I wnet out to the car to see. Sure enought-no crank. Relays click under the dash, no security light.

So, I jiggle the ignition switch and she starts right up!

I knew it wasn't the BCM! I can't believe I wasted $575 on this car.

Mechanic says he is soryy, and wants another $300 for the ignition switch-which is what I wnated replaced in the first place.

Time for a new mechanic-time for a new non GM car.

.
Reply to
billccm

He said he was 100% confident? In that case, he owes you a full refund. Not for any other reason than he was dumb for saying a stupid thing--there is little in this world that is 100% confident!

Reply to
PeterD

So, I jiggle the ignition switch and she starts right up!

I knew it wasn't the BCM! I can't believe I wasted $575 on this car.

Mechanic says he is soryy, and wants another $300 for the ignition switch-which is what I wnated replaced in the first place.

Time for a new mechanic-time for a new non GM car. ============================================

Do you by chance have a brain in your head? It isn't GM's fault that your mechanic is an idiot. Why don't you try taking the car to a mechanic who can tell you what's wrong, and fix it properly? Also, if your claim that the mechanic said he was 100% certain it was the BCM is true, then he should remove the BCM, return it, and give you your money back.

Reply to
80 Knight

No, it isnt GMs fault, Knight.

One of the problems here is finding a shop/mechanic who really knows what he is doing. That is sometimes very difficult.

Just taking it to a dealership is no guarantee. And some independents are as bad.

You must find a true artist, someone who knows his job. This is not the first time, however, that I have known of people who dump their car and change brands because of this sort of thing.

Reply to
hls

You know, isn't it odd that Toyotas and Hondas have BCMs, and their newsgroup has very few posts concerning BCM failures, yet this newsgroups has thousands of posts with people trying to solve BCM issues?

Reply to
billccm

I've known people to do the same as well, and usually (unfortunately) they end up with an even worse vehicle. If you can only afford used, and you have a low mileage car that you have had for many years, you know the car, and can guess what to expect from it. If you go out and buy another used car, you are opening up an entire new can of worms.

Reply to
80 Knight

Yeah, and Toyota and Honda newsgroups have very little posts on bald tires, so I guess that doesn't happen either, eh? You are truly Toyota/Honda at heart, and I encourage you to purchase one. You are an idiot, you are blaming GM for a problem that your *chosen* mechanic screwed up, and have been won over by the Japan PR machine. Please, do all GM owners a favor and sell your Impala, and buy an inferior Toyota or Honda product. It makes me feel better driving a GM knowing that people like you aren't.

Reply to
80 Knight

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