Hi all,

On my way home tonight I hit a large bump and I think it jarred something loose. Right before my car shut off, the security warning came on and then the engine died. I still have lights, but when I turn the key, the starter does not turn on and the usual "service engine soon" light does not come on on the instrument cluster. I have checked the wires going to the computer and everything looks fine, I have a feeling it is the VATS system but I'm not sure where to find that or if that could even be a culprit. Please help me I will be doing research all night as I need this up and running ASAP.

Thanks in advance!

 

The SES light should come on even if VATS is taking over IIRC.

The only time in my experience the SES light does NOT come on with the key (Other than a blown bulb) is when the ECM has no power. Have you checked the underhood ECM fuse? Can you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the key?

 

The fuel pump does not prime when I turn the key. Is there another fuse besides the one in the fuse block for the ECM that I should check? Unfortunately I didn't have a flashlight and it was dark out so I didn't check any fuses yet but I will tomorrow

 

You will see a weatherpack connector right by the battery that screws to where the fender meets the frame. There is a 20amp fuse inside that powers the ECM/fuel pump.

It concerns me though now that I see where it says the starter will not come on. The starter should still crank even without the fuse.

 

I believe I was mistaken in saying that the starter would not turn on, I was confusing it with the fuel pump priming that you can hear when the key is turned to accessory. I haven't tried to jump the starter or anything to make sure that is still working. I looked at the fuses under the dash and everything there is good but I haven't had a chance to get under the hood yet due to class and weather but I will first thing tomorrow morning. My only concern is that my stereo doesn't turn on when I put the key to accessory, in fact nothing that normally does when I turn the key comes on. I'm not 100% positive but I don't think my capacitor or amps came on either but these are linked to the head unit. Do you still believe it could be the ECM fuse?

 

I want to say the positive cable got knocked loose from the starter but you said the lights still work. Kind of odd the radio went out. Start with the underhood fuse.

 

Well the good news is that she's back up and running. It turns out that the connector that goes through the firewall wasn't making good connection with the fusebox. I'm still kind of curious why my headlights still worked though unless they are not part of this connector.

The only problem I'm having now is an issue I've been having for years and haven't really been able to solve. Every once in a while the engine will more or less die under heavy throttle. For example, trying to merge onto the highway today, I put my foot in it and nothing happened, the RPM's died and the engine shuts off but will usually come back on after a few seconds. Sometimes I will have to pull over and shut the car off and when I turn it back on I'm okay, but not always. I do not have an error code scanner with me and I don't remember the errors I was previously getting but I will update you when I get access to one. If anyone has any suggestions feel free to let me know.

Thanks for all the help trying to diagnose the first issue