Abrown1966@sc.rr.com wrote:
> I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix with a 3.8L v-6 that won't start.
> Originally when turning the ignition you would hear a cluncking sound
> from under the engine but thats all. I thought it was the starter
> solenoid and bought a new starter. After installing the new starter,
> and turning the ignition key, nothing happens. I have checked the
> voltage going to the starter, (goinng from the bolt the power comes in
> on to the ground screw) and get 10.5 volts when trying to crank it.
> Checking from the Ground screw to the bolt with wires leading to the
> starter motor, I get no Voltage when trying to crand the car. Is the
> new Starter bad?
>
> Thanks
>
> Alan

Sounds like a dead battery.

On Wed, 1 Oct 2008 14:47:23 -0700 (PDT), Abrown1966@sc.rr.com wrote:

>On Oct 1, 5:27*pm, Paul <P...@slowcast.net> wrote:
>> Abrown1...@sc.rr.com wrote:
>> > I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix with a 3.8L v-6 that won't start.
>> > Originally when turning the ignition you would hear a cluncking sound
>> > from under the engine but thats all. I thought it was the starter
>> > solenoid and bought a new starter. After installing the new starter,
>> > and turning the ignition key, nothing happens. I have checked the
>> > voltage going to the starter, (goinng from the bolt the power comes in
>> > on to the ground screw) and get 10.5 volts when trying to crank it.
>> > Checking from the Ground screw to the bolt with wires leading to the
>> > starter motor, I get no Voltage when trying to crand the car. Is the
>> > new Starter bad?
>>
>> > Thanks
>>
>> > Alan
>>
>> Sounds like a dead battery.
>
>
>When checking the voltage on the battery, it reads 12.8. So it does
>not appear to a bad battery.
>
>Thanks for the response.
>
Check the voltage between the post and the clamp attached to it.
Sometimes you get enough "hidden" corrosion between the post and
clamp, that you effectively have no connection.

Tom S.

<Abrown1966@sc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:561777c8-e8d3-4d09-acaa-5bbacdfe9fba@e53g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
On Oct 1, 5:27 pm, Paul <P...@slowcast.net> wrote:
> Abrown1...@sc.rr.com wrote:
> > I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix with a 3.8L v-6 that won't start.
> > Originally when turning the ignition you would hear a cluncking sound
> > from under the engine but thats all. I thought it was the starter
> > solenoid and bought a new starter. After installing the new starter,
> > and turning the ignition key, nothing happens. I have checked the
> > voltage going to the starter, (goinng from the bolt the power comes in
> > on to the ground screw) and get 10.5 volts when trying to crank it.
> > Checking from the Ground screw to the bolt with wires leading to the
> > starter motor, I get no Voltage when trying to crand the car. Is the
> > new Starter bad?
>
> > Thanks
>
> > Alan
>
> Sounds like a dead battery.


When checking the voltage on the battery, it reads 12.8. So it does
not appear to a bad battery.

Thanks for the response.

Alan


I've had batteries that the voltage looked ok , but didn't have enough amps
to crank the car over.
Do you have power to the headlights? Try getting someone to crank the engine
with the lights on and see if there's enough power to keep them bright.

Jay S

J Stevens wrote:
> <Abrown1966@sc.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:561777c8-e8d3-4d09-acaa-5bbacdfe9fba@e53g2000hsa.googlegroups.com...
> On Oct 1, 5:27 pm, Paul <P...@slowcast.net> wrote:
>> Abrown1...@sc.rr.com wrote:
>>> I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix with a 3.8L v-6 that won't start.
>>> Originally when turning the ignition you would hear a cluncking sound
>>> from under the engine but thats all. I thought it was the starter
>>> solenoid and bought a new starter. After installing the new starter,
>>> and turning the ignition key, nothing happens. I have checked the
>>> voltage going to the starter, (goinng from the bolt the power comes in
>>> on to the ground screw) and get 10.5 volts when trying to crank it.
>>> Checking from the Ground screw to the bolt with wires leading to the
>>> starter motor, I get no Voltage when trying to crand the car. Is the
>>> new Starter bad?
>>> Thanks
>>> Alan
>> Sounds like a dead battery.
>
>
> When checking the voltage on the battery, it reads 12.8. So it does
> not appear to a bad battery.
>
> Thanks for the response.
>
> Alan
>
>
> I've had batteries that the voltage looked ok , but didn't have enough amps
> to crank the car over.
> Do you have power to the headlights? Try getting someone to crank the engine
> with the lights on and see if there's enough power to keep them bright.
>
> Jay S
>
>
>
>
Not enough amps...
Check the voltage at the battery when cranking, if it's below 9 volts
change the battery out. I see the OP says when cranking battery shows
10.5 volts so battery while starting is good.

Follow-up,

The battery has side screw, not top post. I replaced the screws that
attach the cable will no real effect on the voltage when tested again.
I can now hear the solenoid engage and it sound like the starter is
engaging the flywheel but will not turn it. Checking the voltage at
the starter reveals the same values as before.

The service engine light stays on so I will check the codes on
Saturday, to see what that will tell me. I have put a socket wrench
onthe main pulley ( aligns with the crankshaft I believe ) and can
turn it in a counterclockwise direction. You can see the fan belt
move, while doing this, but it is difficult to turn. I'm begining to
wonder if it is the timing chain that has gone out. Is there an easy
way of checking this short of digging into the engine?

Alan