Pontiac Repair: 97 grand am electrical problem, neutral safety switch, purple wire

Question
Hey Todd,

I am trying to fix my sisters Grand Am. When she gets in to start to the car sometimes it will crank and other times it won't. the battery is new and when it starts it will stay running it won't cut out or anything. Is this a starter problem?

Answer
Hi Keith:

wel if it's strictly and "no crank" issue then yes it' a issue with the "crank" circuit. If the car strats and stalls out it's a security system issue. This car I belive was involved in a recall for a "thermal event" and one of the issue would be a no start no crank issue. you could have a bad ignition switch if the recall has not been done on this. If the recalls has been done the part for the recall may have failed. It can just be a bad starter motor. what you have to do is have someone crank the car and you can check for battery voltage on the purple wire at the starter motor. if you have battery voltage and it doesn't crank then the starter is bad if you don't then you have to start trcing the loss of battery voltage back into the car it can be the recall part the trasnmission neutral safety switch or the ignition switch. Good luck :)