Pontiac Repair: 1996 pontiac grand prix se-v6, starter solenoid, pontiac grand prix

Question
Co worker's car will not start periodically. All lights, radio, horn, etc. work but will not turn over.Waits about 15-20 minutes & it fires right up. Has taken it to the shop twice, wouldn't do it while there & they had no clue. Any thoughts on this problem? Thanks for your help!

Answer
Hi Malcom:

wiee it vcan be a bunch of things. when it will not start do yoi hear the starter motor click? If not either the starter solenoid is not getting the crank signal from the key or the solenoid is not energizing to run the starter motor. the next time it will not crank try putting the car in neutral and see if it starts then. If not then you have to check for the crank siganl "voltage" on the purple wire at the starter motor solenoid. If it had power the starter assembly is bad. If not then you have to trace the loss of power back from the starter motror up to the transmission safety switch and then back into the car at the ignition switch. Good luck :)