Pontiac Repair: 2002 pontiac grand prix intermidiate star, neutral safety switch, starter solenoid

Question
todd
my mother has a 2002 pontaic grand se with the 3800 v6 engine.  sometimes it start and other times it won't do anything.  i have checked the starter,relays and about everything else i could think of.  has there been a problem with the neutral safety switch or ignition switch.  how do i trouble shoot this problem

thanks

Answer
Hi Steve:

Here is what Youneed to do when it wil not crank you need someone to help you out. Hold the key in the crank position and then check to see if you indeed have "crank" voltage at the starter solenoid on the purple wire. Use a test light It should light Bright If it does the issue is with the starter solenoid on the starter. If not then you have to trace the loss of crank volatge backwards. check at the starter relay,transmission seafety switch and the lastly at the ignition switch. Somewhere your loosing the voltage. When it will not crank with the key in the on "run" position see if you are loosing anything else like a blower motor,radio wipers etc.. if you are loosing more then just the car starting you have an issue with  a power feed and it is most likely a bad ignition swithc or a power feed to the switch. good luck :)