Pontiac Repair: 1999 Pontiac Sunfire - no crank, pontiac sunfire, purple wire

Question
Tried to start the Sunfire this morning - put key in ignition and heard beeping sound and engine would not crank over at all. Thought it was the battery and tried a boost, still the same result - beeping and no crank.
Any thoughts?

Answer
Hi Jim:

The isn't anything stock on one of these that beeps other then the horn. does it have some sort of an alaram or anti theft device added to the car? if so I would look there first. usually these have an issue with a security lamp coming on and they will not crank or crank start and stall right away. that is the factory any-theft system. every year acts a bit different but not of the factry stuff beeps. if it doesn't have any anti-theft stuff on it and the security lamp doesn't dcome on and or start flashing you need to check for "crank" volatge at the starter. the purple wire at the starter motor is the crank signal. you will need a test light and a helper to crank the car while you check for that signal volage to the starter when it is in the "crank" position. the light should light up if it does the starter is bad if it doesn't you need to trace the "crank" signal back and see where you loosing it from the ignition switch out to the engine. good luck :-)