So yesterday I went to audio express to get a new stereo deck put in and when they finished Installing it n I was ready to leave, my car wouldn't start idk what it is..my battery is fine everything turns on like lights radio etc but when I turn the key ignition the engine makes no start up noise or anything and once I let go the radio n lights turn on again..

Is it a starter problem?? Anyone ever experience this?

 

It could be the starter solenoid, or the starter enable relay if your car has VATS. Mine does this every now and then, and I suspect it's my starter enable relay, or possibly a bad connection where the PO bypassed the clutch safety switch.

Anyways, the first thing to try when a starter won't click over is to reach under the car and bang on the starter with something heavy -- A tire iron, hammer, wrench, anything you can find. This trick has got me home several times with a failing starter. If it does start after tapping on the starter, then there's a good chance the starter solenoid is going out. It is possible to just replace the solenoid, but you still have to remove the starter to do it, so it's a good idea to just replace the whole thing.

The starter enable relay is behind the drivers kick panel. You could also try tapping on that and seeing if it has an effect.

There is also the neutral safety switch, or clutch safety switch if your car is a manual. I don't think these fail very often though. If the car is an automatic, you might try wiggling the shifter back and forth a little, and see if it will start then.

 

I tried ur tips and the car still did the same thing hopefully next weekend I can get a new starter in there!!!

 

Does your car have VATS?

 

Yeah I believe so.. Is there anyway to disable it..my uncle who previously owned said he would have this issue when he would unplug his battery n also his stereo would lock..
What can I do about this issue

 

I had the same issue last year,first i replaced the neutral safety switch,but nope that didnt work after I had my convertible top replaced luckily for me the same guy was handy with wires,come to find out it was the wire that lets me car read the chip in the key,so yea he fixed it for me by reconnecting the wires ,and i have had the same issue since.
I hope this helps.

 

Starter was apparently working fine before the radio installation but now it doesn't. What does that tell you?

I'd first suspect something the installer did or didn't do during the installation. Probably has to do with the wiring.

Jake

 

Idk but it has allthe symptoms of the vats beig activated but the security light doesn't turn on at all so idk if that the issue anymore?

The guy took the radio out I see if maybe it has something to do with it n it still wouldn't start I have no idea what it is..

 

Your car probably came with what they call Delco lock 2 system on the radio. Do a search someplace on here it tells how to disable your vats system. You have to use volt ohm meter to get the resistance of your key to get the right resistor to disable it. Pretty sure its your vats system

 

Idk wouldn't the security light turn on or something??
I tried my everyday key n my spare n nothing

 

Is there anyway to remove the vats completely
it seems like a hassle more than a security feature

 

Bump!

 

I read a post yesterday where someones friend knocked the nuetral safety switch harness loose during a radio install. Had same symptoms, check that.

 

Okay so I finally hired a mechanic turns out audio express really f'd me on this one..when they installed the radio they grounded the wires causing a short in the pass key and the ignition switch..it also shorted a wire going to the relay..so the electrical mechanic I hired fixEd the relay problem, he took the pass key to a guy he knows to sold it an fix the burnt fuses and I had to buy a whole new key ignition switch and resistance key..
It finally started up today and the guy is in the process of puttin the dash board and everything back together..which is good but this guy is kinda flakey so it's taking him forever to do it..he likes to take breaks between jobs and drink with my neighbors fml..lol
hopefully tommorow it'll be all clear..Ima start working on mechanical stuff and give it a full tom p tune up this upcoming weekend!!!
Thanx for all the suggestions guy u guys are huge help I seriously had no idea where to even start with this..u guys have came thru huge even when I used to have my camaro
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