Starting problems with a car can be a safety hazard. Unreliable start ups can turn a vehicle into a road block or leave a driver stranded with no mode of transportation. Pontiac vehicles are no exception, and are subject to the normal wear and tear associated with cars and trucks. Common starting problems can include over flooding, electrical system failure and gauge problems that can misinform drivers about gas levels or temperature. Checking for these and other problems regularly can enhance driver safety, and ensure proper start up in your Pontiac vehicle.
Wait for ten minutes after a start up failure, if the problem is infrequent or very rare, this is usually a sign of flooding the engine with gasoline. Start the engine again after waiting to see if the gasoline level has lowered. Hold down the Pontiac key in the ignition for up to three seconds, or whenever the Pontiac starts.
Listen to the Pontiac when starting. Attempt to jump the battery with another vehicle if there is no noise when attempting to start. Link a jumper cable to the parallel battery connectors and wait for up to five minutes with the secondary car running. Start the Pontiac as normal. Remove the jumper cables.
If the Pontiac is making cranking (engine half revving) noises but is still not starting, the gauge cluster may be malfunctioning. Add gasoline with the hand held emergency reserve tank and let the gas settle into the engine for a few moments. Attempt a start. Add coolant to the coolant bay if the tank is dry, as the temperature gauge may be broken as well.
