Turn the Key - Everything Shuts Off

**CNorell145** · 03-12-2015

When I turn the key to try and start my GTP - everything shuts off. Dash lights, stereo, everything. Even when the car is on a jump starter - so it isn't the battery.

Also, the starter won't turn over at all - except when we jump the solenoid... Then the starter turns over, but the bend spring does not engage.

Additionally, the headlights flicker when the car is only on battery power - however they are fine when on the booster... Any thoughts on that?

I know there are a lot of questions, but there are a lot of problems - and I have no idea where to start.

Thanks in advance

**Scottydoggs** · 03-12-2015

take the battery terminals off and clean them, put them back on jump start if needed.

check the grounds on the trans bell housing too. make sure they are all tight and clean.

**idrivejunk** · 03-12-2015

Also check the connection under the jumpstart terminal, where the big red wire made into the positive battery cable connects to the electrical center on the strut tower. If thats loose, all kinds of strange things can happen. The negative cable is real long (on 97-03) so visually inspect all along that as well.

**CNorell145** · 03-12-2015

Battery and terminals are brand new - will check the tranny ground and report back.

The other thing is the prior owner did a bunch of electrical work behind the dash, and I'm nowhere how good of a job they did...

**Scottydoggs** · 03-12-2015

when you turn the key everything blacks out? but comes back on when you let the key back to run right?

try having someone hold the key to start, then hit the starter with a hammer. if it cranks the starters dead. dead starter will also click in the dash when you turn the key.

**CNorell145** · 03-12-2015

Alright, when I turn the key to on, the DIC, stereo and AC shut off. Dash lights stay on. Also, there is a click from the right side of the dash, sounds like by the DIC.

And yes, when I turn the key back off everything turns back on.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-12-2015

thats the starter i bet, go hit it with a hammer. if it cranks get a new starter.

**CNorell145** · 03-12-2015

What exactly does hitting it with a hammer do?

But I tried it, didn't do anything.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-12-2015

it makes a dead starter work for one time after its hit.

you got a test light? next test is to have someone hold the key to start, and see if you get power to the little stud on the starter with the wire on it, the one your jumping, if its got power key to start, the solenoid or starter is bad for sure, cause its getting the signal to crank.

**CNorell145** · 03-12-2015

I don't have a test light... I'll have to get one tomorrow if we can't figure this out by then...

As for the positive on the strut tower - you mean the one running to the fuse block right?

**Scottydoggs** · 03-12-2015

yes red wire on the top of the fuse box. make sure its tight.

**CNorell145** · 03-12-2015

Tranny grounds are good by the way.

**idrivejunk** · 03-17-2015

The battery + cable on stock 97-03 GPs is WAY WAY too long, it follows a very roundabout path to reach the starter. I don't know if your trouble is that cable or another wire. But a modification that allows a much shorter cable would be a great idea in my opinion. Theres a lot of un-needed length in the cable and as such, theres a lot more of it that can become damaged. I probably woudn't spend much time trying to locate and remove a smaller bad wire if you have isolated the issue. Just run another wire.

**CNorell145** · 03-12-2015

Alright. checked that wire, and it is tight.

Another thought just occurred to me - on my old man's old one ton van, he was having electrical issues, and couldn't figure them out for anything. Turned out to be a fusible link within the electrical system... Are there any fusible links in the Grand Prixs? Mine is a 2000 GTP if it makes any difference.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-12-2015

you have one, but i think most of the car goes dead full time when it blows. super rare to happen.

how hard did you hit the starter? some times it takes a few good shots. sometimes all it needs is a tap. you want to hit the fat round body of the starter.

**CNorell145** · 03-13-2015

I hit it with some decent force, enough to make a few little dents... I'm afraid to hit it too hard, because if the starter is fine, I don't want to break it, lol.

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 03-13-2015

I only hit the starter if someone else is turning the key over.

**fst** · 03-13-2015

may be your ignition control module. whack the right side of the steering column near where the key goes into the ignition. the are prone to going bad on these cars.

**Uno99** · 03-13-2015

My battery had a gap between the positive battery connection. Even tho it was clean and tight i had to put a steel washer inbetween the battery post then tighten it to male a good connection now im all good

**CNorell145** · 03-13-2015

Had the starter tested, it's fine.

Checked every ground I could find in the car, and replaced the hot going to the starter - still no luck.

Haven't tried the ICM, it's a $170 part from Autozone... Don't really want to spend that much with no guarantee of success.

My next step is probably going to be to check for shorts in the dash itself...