Ask the Car People.SM


Pontiac Bonneville Starting/Stallling/Ignition Problems

233 messages,  Last post on Mar 10, 2013 at 5:56 PM

You are in the Pontiac Bonneville Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Bonneville, Auto Repair, Sedan

Messages Page 21 of 24

#198 of 233 Re: starting/Ignition problems [scotthawkes37] by imidazol97

May 09, 2011 (1:18 pm)

Replying to: scotthawkes37 (May 09, 2011 12:37 pm)
Is there a light that comes on if the key transponder does not match the security information? That's one possibility.
 
If you can have the car up to get at the positive lead on the solenoid that comes from the ignition to be sure that the ignition is telling the starter to throw the solenoid to engage the full power to the starter that would be the good check.
 
Then you would know the problem is in the starter or the power cables to it.
 
That would determine that the starter switch is actually making contact to engage the starter as well.
 
NExt I'd check the ground cable at the battery that grounds to the floor. Loosen, clean, and retighten to get good connection. Then start checking the connections on the line for the starter--the positive red cables. I'd leave the ground cable off while I was troubleshooting the connections on the positives in case you ground a wrench to the frame while tightening, etc.
 
Check the connections on the red positive battery cable at the fuse block in the engine compartment. I assume that's where the most likely poor connection might be.

#199 of 233 Re: starting delema 96 Bonneville by godslove4u

May 16, 2011 (4:36 pm)

Replying to: imidazol97 (May 09, 2011 1:18 pm)
Will try your above suggetions. My 96 Bonneville seems to have a mind of its own. At times, it will start just fine. Then, when it feels like it, I get nothing. The lights and gauges work, but the engine acts as if there is no starter. I get nothing. I loosen the positive battery terminal, wiggle the battery cables, tighten the cables, and about the 3rd or 4th time of doing this, the car will start. I never know how many times it will start before I am again stuck. So far the above process has netted a start, but am afraid sometime that won't work anymore.
Any additional suggestions? Thanks for any input.

#200 of 233 Re: starting delema 96 Bonneville [godslove4u] by imidazol97

May 16, 2011 (5:29 pm)

Replying to: godslove4u (May 16, 2011 4:36 pm)
Locate the starter motor by looking under the front exhaust manifold. Then use a heavy wrench or lightly tap it with a hammer. This can verify your starter is the problem if you have someone turn the key to crank when nothing will happen. Then you hit the starter with a hammer to vibrate it and it clicks into connection and the starter turns.
 
The random seeming to work when tightening or loosening the cable connection can be the starter motor itself making connection or not.
 
Check inside your connectors at the battery to see if the cable is corroded by acid seep down the inside of the plastic covering (cut the plastic with a sharp knife).
 
The cables on a 92-99 are different than a 2000-2005+

#201 of 233 I NEED HELP PLEASE!!!!! by dolphinsfan19

Jun 23, 2011 (7:24 pm)

My 2000 Pontiac Bonneville wont even turn over! I replaced the starter and alternator, I also had the battery checked and charged. I turn the key to the "ON" posistion and everything reads good, then I turn to start it and nothing happens...no clicking noise or anything. So I messed around with the relays and the fuses to check them and when I squeeze to "START 1" relay the engine turns over but it wont run. I tried having my wife turn the key and pump the gas while I squeezed that starter realy with some pliers....nothing happened. I talked to a Mechaninc and he said to try and put it in neutural and start it because there is a sensor there or something so I did....nothing happened. Another Mechanic told me to turn the key to the "ON" position for 10 mins so the security codes could reset and then try to turn it on. He said if it doesnt work unhook the battery for 30 mins then try it again....nothing happened! I still need to check the ignition switch, if its not that then one of the mechanics said I needed to take it to a GM dealer to have my computer reset! Does anyone have an idea or suggestion?

#202 of 233 Re: I NEED HELP PLEASE!!!!! [dolphinsfan19] by godslove4u

Jun 23, 2011 (9:25 pm)

Replying to: dolphinsfan19 (Jun 23, 2011 7:24 pm)
Same problem with my 96 Bonneville. Discovered two problems. Replaced battery cables, positive and negative. When we bent them, you could hear the corrosion crackle.
 
Second solution was security sensor. Don't where it is located on your 2000, but on my 96, it was located under the carpet near the door on the drivers side. It is about 2" long and narrow., Took cap off and clean diodes. They had picked up moisture from being under the carpet.
 
Hope this helps you.

#203 of 233 Re: '01 bonneville cranks but no spark [tjii81] by david2k11

Jul 01, 2011 (7:46 pm)

Replying to: tjii81 (Jul 31, 2009 6:13 pm)
I'm having the same problem how do i fix this issue

#204 of 233 The darling won't start by bfaulkner

Jul 06, 2011 (7:55 am)

Here's one for only the imaginative! My '03 Bonneville has an attitude. Every now & then I get in, key the ignition & NOTHING. Turn it back off, turn on 1 notch, wait for the "Security" light to go out and AWAY WE GO!
Last Saturday she decided to take the rest of the day off after my wife & I came out of a store. Tried all the usual solutions but no dice.
Came back the following day, gave my wife the key, she gets in and VOILA! Running like a top again.
The car is the entry level Bonne W/nice options, 3.8 L,120K prox.
Anyone got an idea????

#205 of 233 Re: The darling won't start [bfaulkner] by godslove4u

Jul 06, 2011 (2:33 pm)

Replying to: bfaulkner (Jul 06, 2011 7:55 am)
Exact same problem with my 96 Bonneville. I turn the key, wait for the Security light to go out and know it will start. If security light doesn't go out, I know I'm in for a wait. Usually, if I patiently wait a minute or two the light will go out and i can start the car.
My question becomes, what part of the anti-theft system do I need to replace? On the 96, there is a some type of fuser module on the driver's side by the door, just under the carpet. I have cleaned that, and it seems to work for awhile.

#206 of 233 Re: starting delema 96 Bonneville [godslove4u] by bfaulkner

Jul 06, 2011 (2:36 pm)

Replying to: godslove4u (May 16, 2011 4:36 pm)
Hi Folks, Please see my post from today. I have the Bonneville Ignition ghost that you were discussing. The car took the whole day off last Saturday, started first thing Sunday when I gave the keys to the bride.
Other times it's just short-term and veru intermitent. Has anyone found a solution yet?

#207 of 233 Re: Engine will not even crank [imidazol97] by bfaulkner

Jul 06, 2011 (2:37 pm)

Replying to: imidazol97 (Jul 30, 2010 5:25 pm)
Hi Folks, Please see my post from today. I have the Bonneville Ignition ghost that you were discussing. The car took the whole day off last Saturday, started first thing Sunday when I gave the keys to the bride.
Other times it's just short-term and veru intermitent. Has anyone found a solution yet?

Messages Page 21 of 24

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement