Expert: Roger J.M. Warrington - 12/7/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question -
This is a little off base for you and I apologize but there are no specialists for the Pontiac group.  But I'm hoping this is a generic problem typical of all cars.
My son has a 95 Grand Prix SE 3.1 litre engine.
It has been giving him trouble starting....someone said it has a clicking sound that makes them think of a relay constantly firing (maybe fuel pump?) and the ignition is hard to turn- could this be the problem that it's just not engaging to make the connection for starting (I'm not sure how this all works).
He has had a new starter put in, and a new battery.
Thank you for any help you can offer.  He's a college student (paying his own way) and working part time.
Again thank you for your time.  

Answer -
HI ?
    Can you tell me a bit more of what it sounds like and what it is and is not doing OK . it is a GM car so I hope I can help you .

When we can get the keyed freed up to turn...it makes a click,click but doesn't start.  It doesn't seem to be trying to turn over.
The clicking sound is quite easy to hear, but not overly loud.  It's a fast continuous clicking sound.  It is heard when the key is in the on position.
The battery went dead - I'm guessing due to the lack of use and the extreme cold we've been experiencing here in Michigan.  So they had it on a charger while trying to start it and that's when they noticed the clicking sound.  

Answer
      
 HI,
    Well it sounds as if the the clicking is the starter/selonoid from the weak battery and if the ing. key will not even go into the switch than that alone can cause the car not to start due to a bad or incorrect contact.I  bet that if the switch is that bad it might not be able
to make contact and all you will do is kill the battery or you might cross the juice in the switch and burn up some wires, I think that that switch should be replaced before
it causes any real serious wireing troubles. OK