99 Grand Prix won't start

[Yamahakid88]

The car will sometimes start after sitting for awhile. I left it on a float gather over night and went to start it for work and it started right up. However I tried to leave work and of course, didn't start. It has a newer battery only 2-4 months old, when turning te key I can hear the fuel pump, but I do not hear the starter even attempting to move. All dash and entry lights come on but nothing else. I testing the battery output and it comes out as 12.4 volts which should e plenty enough to start it. Please help guys, I really need this car for work etc. thank you. Any advice is appreciated

[BillBoost37]

I left it on a float gather over night

Translation please.

While you hold the key..have someone hit the starter wtih a hammer.. If it fires up.. you need a starter.
As for testing the volts to start the car, that isn't a very good test. You need to test amps. If you want to do that..ask a parts store to test the battery for you.

[Yamahakid88]

Sorry, auto correct. I left it on a float charger! Well im pretty certain it is not the battery. Could it be a faulty ground? I've heard that security systems on this car could prevent it from starting.

[Yamahakid88]

No one? :/

[Scottydoggs]

did you toss the starter a beating yet like bill suggested? sounds like a bad starter.

[Shiftingshaddow]

sounds like the starter to me

[Yamahakid88]

I just replaced the starter and it does the exact same thing, i was able to short out the starter, and what do ya know. it started. Confused..

[Scottydoggs]

could be a bad ignition switch ( what the key turns). or harness. pretty sure its all one harness.

anything else acting up, heater fan? dash lights? directional's or head lights or horn?

at least you can jump the starter and drive it till you get to the bottom of it. just carry a long screw driver.

[Yamahakid88]

nothing else is acting up, id rather not short it out every time i want to start it, can be a pain

[Slick2500]

I'm assuming you checked the relay like matt suggested?

[Yamahakid88]

i did, swapped them out, and nothing

[Slick2500]

Then I would lean towards ignition switch.

[Yamahakid88]

ok, if i replaced the ignition switch, would i need new keys?

[Scottydoggs]

no new keys are needed, your changing the part the key turns, its a black box, and its harness down the column.

heres a how too. Sparky's Answers: 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, Changing The Ignition Switch

[Yamahakid88]

Great article! Should i first try the switch? Or replace the harness altogether?

[Scottydoggs]

not even kidding here, slap the side of your column by the key, where the box is in those pics, see if it starts. if it cranks, you know your on to something.

the switch is part of the harness. he dont show it out of the car, just in the car still, its a fat set of wires running down the column to under the dash. it leads the the fat plug he shows at the end under the dash.

if you have a junk yard by you, go get a used one, this way you break stuff in the jy car learning how to get it apart, and the part cost much less used.

[Yamahakid88]

I will do that! Thanks i will keep you posted

[Yamahakid88]

Could it actually be the battery guys? I ran it dead once when washing the car, charged it up. Then that night i tried to start it and it didnt work. So i hooked it to a float charger overnight and it started up?

[Scottydoggs]

test the battery with a load tester at a parts store. also check the date on the battery, if its at or past its months of life it could be dying a slow death on ya.

also have the alternator tested, if its not charging at 13.9 or higher that could be the problem.

[Yamahakid88]

thats the problem i cant move it anywhere without shorting the starter :/ this car is making me mad...