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Post by middlemancrisis on Feb 23, 2008 14:31:17 GMT -6
Hey guys, I just wanted to see if any would could help me pinpoint a problem thats irking the hell out of me. I have a '97 Aurora with 55,000 miles on it.
The problem: You go to turn the key, all the accessory lights come on as they should but when you turn it to "start", nothing, but intermittent clicking from behind me by the relays.
What's been done: New battery, changed starter (didn't change a thing), switched relays all around (changed nothing), put it in neutral to see if it would start there (nope), jiggled the shifter stalk around while in park (nope) and checked for loose wiring.
What originally happened:
When I first got the car, the battery was really low (drained) so when I went to charge it, the charger kept saying "check battery" when I tried charging it at full charge. So I tried the lowest setting for charging it and it took 2 days (strange I thought) to fully charge ( I noticed the battery was really warm when it was done charging). SO when I put it in the car and tried to start it, the starter made a sound then quit, then I saw smoke coming form under the hood. I popped it open to find smoke coming out from under the intake. So I figured great, I fried the starter. I took the battery out and bought a new one and now nothing. So my last guess is that it could be a relay that I'm not aware of, or the ignition switch itself.
By the way, I had the original starter tested and they said it was fine (go figure).
So now it's been sitting for 4 months in the garage and like I said I'd love to get it running again.
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Post by austinator on Feb 23, 2008 14:42:27 GMT -6
try this procedure to jump the solenoid |
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Post by Marc on Feb 23, 2008 20:01:43 GMT -6
My guess: a short somewhere in the starter circuit.
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Post by algonquin on Feb 23, 2008 22:18:27 GMT -6
Double check the electrical connections on the starter.
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Randy T.
Administrator 
☯ AURORA GXP ☯
Posts: 3,758
Staff Member
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Post by Randy T. on Feb 24, 2008 9:40:54 GMT -6
With your high mileage I would just get rid of it. You need me to haul it off for you?  |
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Post by lynzoid on Feb 24, 2008 9:51:43 GMT -6
sounds like ingition switch fault (i assume you dont have 'security' light).
this part is 100ish at rockauto, and had fixed this problem for many ppl.
also, it's diy-able with set of tools, patience, and manual in like 1hr.
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swartzrora
Aurora Groupie
1996 Black Beauty + 1997 White Pearl
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Post by swartzrora on Feb 28, 2008 22:32:17 GMT -6
Hey guys, I just wanted to see if any would could help me pinpoint a problem thats irking the hell out of me. I have a '97 Aurora with 55,000 miles on it. The problem: You go to turn the key, all the accessory lights come on as they should but when you turn it to "start", nothing, but intermittent clicking from behind me by the relays. What's been done: New battery, changed starter (didn't change a thing), switched relays all around (changed nothing), put it in neutral to see if it would start there (nope), jiggled the shifter stalk around while in park (nope) and checked for loose wiring. What originally happened: When I first got the car, the battery was really low (drained) so when I went to charge it, the charger kept saying "check battery" when I tried charging it at full charge. So I tried the lowest setting for charging it and it took 2 days (strange I thought) to fully charge ( I noticed the battery was really warm when it was done charging). SO when I put it in the car and tried to start it, the starter made a sound then quit, then I saw smoke coming form under the hood. I popped it open to find smoke coming out from under the intake. So I figured great, I fried the starter. I took the battery out and bought a new one and now nothing. So my last guess is that it could be a relay that I'm not aware of, or the ignition switch itself. By the way, I had the original starter tested and they said it was fine (go figure). So now it's been sitting for 4 months in the garage and like I said I'd love to get it running again. What's the latest on your Rora. Sometimes it's better to take it to a GM garage. At least they can give you a more definite idea of what's wrong. Best to take it to a Cadillac dealer. Most sold Olds and have mech's trained on Northstar. |
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Post by middlemancrisis on Mar 1, 2008 22:53:56 GMT -6
Thanks for all the responses guys, with it being around 10F the last two weeks, I've been reluctant to get out there and test the starter circuit. Like I said, i put in another starter to no avail, and I made sure the connections were clean and tight before putting it to rest under the intake What surprised me the most is that there is seemingly no starter relay/fuse/breaker that would cushion the blow of an electrical overload upstream of the ignition. I will actually have all day to work on it tommorow, so I will try bypassing the ignition to see if that does it. That and I'll run the tests outlined in that link above. I actually am planning on selling it come spring, whether or not I get it up to snuff. |
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Post by martindaman on Mar 4, 2008 22:33:17 GMT -6
i had a similar clicking in my car when i tried starting it, and thats all it did no sound just the clicking, turns out i had a bad battery it wasn't sending enough power i guess you can say, i had that replaced and now it starts with no problem, you said you replaced the battery, is it the right battery for your car, but it does sound like it is short circuiting somewhere in their, maybe the battery just my 2 cents
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Post by greenmachine on Mar 4, 2008 22:55:22 GMT -6
My bet is on the Ignition switch, all symptoms are familiar to the problem on my 95.
I've got one if you need it, PM me for details.
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Post by middlemancrisis on Mar 6, 2008 15:53:08 GMT -6
Well I tried jumping the solenoid and it made the familiar, clicking sounds from the starter. So I guess that means I'm likely diving back into to get the starter out. This time I test it's connections before I button it up. The only other thing that crossed my mind was the fact that when I "burnt" out whatever it was a few months ago, I wonder if I didn't destroy the wiring near the starter. There was a strong burnt electrical smell back when, I remember that, but after taking everything apart, I never saw any of the effects from the smoke.
There were no obvious melted spots or super crispy insulation near the starter, but the wiring is quite a bit stiffer near it then the rest of the wiring. I'll try not to get caught up on this idea, but will inspect it further. Maybe I'll just splice in some similar gauge wire with connectors and see if that helps.
The battery I bought was the correct size for the car 990 CA and something like 830 CCA.
Also, the security light only comes on for verification like all the rest do when you first turn it to "ON". But when attempting to start it, it doesn't flash or turn on....the security light I mean.
Any further thoughts?
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