Thread: 98 Grand Prix GTP wont start...

I started the car up after it has been sitting in the driveway for a month and it started right up, i let it run for about 20 minutes before taking off and going to the gas station, so of course I turn the car off and fill it up but when i go to turn it back on, nothing. All the interior lights worked and me and my dad had just replaced the battery a couple of weeks ago, we tryed to jump it any way and it didnt work of course, the car makes no noise when we turn the key exept for what i think is the fuel pump. The starter and the crank of course dont make any noise as they are not cranking. Now i guess Ill give a little background on the car, my sister had been using it before we got it back and for some reason now the Headlights stay on at all times no matter where the switch is toggled. There is also a little black box down by the pedals that has alot of wires running into it that me and my dad hadnt noticed before, i have no idea what it is or if it is what is causing the lights to stay on. My dad doesnt think its the starter because we just started it up that morning fine. Im really confused and our car is stuck at a gas station right know, any help will be appreciated and if there is anything more i can tell you please ask. And sorry for my writing, i am just a bit mad right know

Sounds like you tripped the security

start out with cleaning the key and ignition switch with some crc electric cleaner...You must unhook battery before doing this...
spray key with crc...then spray in the keyhole of the ignition switch on steering column...then take crc soaked key and slide in and out slowly to clean off the tumblers... should fix if that is problem...

What key are you trying to use...sometimes the original (most frequently used) key will be the only one to start it because of wear in the tumblers on the ignition switch...Use the key that was always used in the car.

Also since the car sat for a while it could just be the battery needs to be charged...it might be strong enough to light up accessories but too dry or weak to turn starter...

Finally check the grounds...the one right by the battery..follow the neg. battery cable looking for any green or white residue near connections or ends.

I was unaware that GTP's came with a security system, are you thinking thats what that black box is under the steering wheel? It doesnt look like its stock but it may be. Also the key turns all the way so what will cleaning it do? Thanks for you help

what? And I am not thinking of the black box under the whatever....it has nothing to do with what I was talking about....AT ALL...re read the post...if you still don't get it...it is pretty straight forward...you spray crc electronics cleaner in the hole where the ignition key goes...then you spray the key to get cleaner on it, and then you put the wet key in the ignition and push and pull a bit to clean off the little magnet and tumblers that are in there. I am going to say this again just to be sure you dont fry your ignition system...UNHOOK the Negative cable of the BATTERY before doing any of this.....

try to see if the wire going to the starter is tight sounds like what happened to me before pretty simple pop hood reach down and tug on wires at starter and see if there loose

Originally Posted by jaysgtp360

what? And I am not thinking of the black box under the whatever....it has nothing to do with what I was talking about....AT ALL...re read the post...if you still don't get it...it is pretty straight forward...you spray crc electronics cleaner in the hole where the ignition key goes...then you spray the key to get cleaner on it, and then you put the wet key in the ignition and push and pull a bit to clean off the little magnet and tumblers that are in there. I am going to say this again just to be sure you dont fry your ignition system...UNHOOK the Negative cable of the BATTERY before doing any of this.....

I understood what you said but why would i do that if the car doesnt even have a security system, ive have now found out it doesn't so your advice in that post is irrelevant. I thank you for trying but you really shouldn't post advice if you don't know what your talking about. I got the car running, it had a bad starter, i didnt think it would be the starter since it had just started up that morning but i was wrong. And you dont have to be an ass i can read, i read everything you said but im not about to follow your advice if the car doesnt even have a security system.

I am so sorry, I just feel horribly stupid, I won't be posting on this board anymore...never thought I would get a lashing for trying to help, but man, I guess I should know my stuff better....

oh yeah, and you would do all that if you key hole was dirty you idiot...that happens from constant use...and if you ever worked more than one type of car you would know that sometimes you forget what car has what type of security cut off system...so piss off you f.