ASKED BY: msdrwld 0 0 0 1 0 0 14 ASK DATE: May. 1, 2005 CATEGORY: Mechanical | Engine Car Will Not Start. Vehicle: 2001 Grand AM My car will turn over, but will not start. COMMENT BY: HotRodKush 0 1 8 8 4 2 83 COMMENT DATE: May. 1, 12:42 PM QUALIFICATIONS: Site Rank: 3 How many miles on this car? Combustion requires 3 things - spark, fuel, and compression. When one of these things is not present, or not present in the correct amount, the motor will not run. An easy way to check for fuel is to turn the motor over a few times, pull a spark plug or two and see if its wet from fuel. If not, you'll have to trace the fuel system back farther, do an injector performance test, check for fuel at the rail, the filter and comming from the pump. The most painless way to check for spark is to buy a spark tester at your local auto parts store. If there's spark at the plugs, no further diagnosis is necessary. If theres no spark, you'll want to check the outpt of the coil, and test the ignition module for proper performance. For compression, you'll need a compression tester, though the likelyhood of loosing enough compression in a 2001 vehicle to prevent starting is almost nill. See if theres spark or fuel at the plugs, and then post back here if you need further help performing the diagnostic checks. Aaron COMMENT BY: msdrwld 0 0 0 1 0 0 14 COMMENT DATE: May. 1, 12:59 PM QUALIFICATIONS: Site Rank: 468 There are 68,000 miles on the car. There was sparks at the plugs. After trying to start the car a few times, now it will not turn over at all. COMMENT BY: HotRodKush 0 1 8 8 4 2 83 COMMENT DATE: May. 1, 1:03 PM QUALIFICATIONS: Site Rank: 3 Well now your battery probably died from trying to start it so many times. Once you get you battery charged, you'll be able to check for fuel. COMMENT BY: msdrwld 0 0 0 1 0 0 14 COMMENT DATE: May. 1, 1:06 PM QUALIFICATIONS: Site Rank: 468 We just finished jumping the car. ACCEPTED ANSWER COMMENT BY: HotRodKush 0 1 8 8 4 2 83 COMMENT DATE: May. 1, 1:13 PM QUALIFICATIONS: Site Rank: 3 Jusmping the car does not charge the battery, as you just witnessed. Jumping the battery allows the car to start in order for the alternator to charge the battery. Unfortunately your car will not start, so jumping the car only gives the battery enough power to crank a few times (as you have just experienced). You'll need to CHARGE the battery with a battery charger, preferably a slow charge (takes about an hour). Once you do this, you'll be able to crank the motor and we will be able to continue with the diagnosis. Aaron COMMENT BY: msdrwld 0 0 0 1 0 0 14 COMMENT DATE: May. 1, 1:17 PM QUALIFICATIONS: Site Rank: 468 Ok COMMENT BY: joe allen 0 6 7 9 8 3 89 COMMENT DATE: May. 1, 11:11 PM QUALIFICATIONS: ASE Certified Site Rank: 1 Other than that you do not want to leave the alt to charge the battery on it's own. This can fry the batt. COMMENT BY: jaybird 0 0 0 1 1 1 30 COMMENT DATE: May. 3, 9:19 PM QUALIFICATIONS: Site Rank: 93 i also have a 2001 grand am and had the problem of it not starting! when was the fuel filter last changed? believe it or not, my 01' grand am has 70k on it and when it wouldn't start i changed the fuel filter. i couldn't believe the crud in it?? also check your gas filler tube; mine was rotted out!!! but as helpful advice i would change the fuel filter and check the gas filler tube!! hope this helps??? if you have further questions ask me, i will try to answer???? COMMENT BY: joe allen 0 6 7 9 8 3 89 COMMENT DATE: May. 3, 10:46 PM QUALIFICATIONS: ASE Certified Site Rank: 1 Yes the fuel filter can cause this. This should actually be changed every 30,000 so yes this could be. So if it has not been changed then you may want to change it just for the sake of changing it. COMMENT BY: mustanggirl 0 0 0 3 6 1 32 COMMENT DATE: Jul. 25, 8:20 PM QUALIFICATIONS: Site Rank: 23 try your alternator it probably gone (died) you will need to you need to buy a new one... COMMENT BY: HotRodKush 0 1 8 8 4 2 83 COMMENT DATE: Jul. 25, 8:27 PM QUALIFICATIONS: Site Rank: 3 A bad alternator will not cause a car to not start. If the car is cranking but not starting, there is a seperate problem that must be addressed. Unfortunately we do not yet have anough information about what has been checked on this car to date to give an accurate diagnosis. Aaron COMMENT BY: mustanggirl 0 0 0 3 6 1 32 COMMENT DATE: Jul. 25, 8:50 PM QUALIFICATIONS: Site Rank: 23 If I was there I can tell you the problem better I am going on what I read.....but you can take the alternator out and take it to a closet mech you have were you live and they can tell you....take your battery to.... maybe you have a short somwere..... It could be an electrical problem to.... COMMENT BY: HotRodKush 0 1 8 8 4 2 83 COMMENT DATE: Jul. 25, 9:03 PM QUALIFICATIONS: Site Rank: 3 your best bet would be to have the car scanned for codes. Hopefully this will give you an idea of the cause. Other causes can be the ignition module, ECM, fuel pump/filter, just to name a few. Like mustanggirl said, without the proper information it is impossible to diagnose the car - youre best bet would be to take it to a reputable mechanic and have it diagnosed on-site. Aaron COMMENT BY: mustanggirl 0 0 0 3 6 1 32 COMMENT DATE: Jul. 26, 4:46 PM QUALIFICATIONS: Site Rank: 23 yup that is the only way to tell!!if i was there i can tell you but i am going on what i read!!! Username: Password: Remember Me  Sign Up  Forgot Login? Month of July way2old Mech Rep: 80 Site Mileage: 21732 rschaefers Mech Rep: 73 Site Mileage: 6540 lking606 Mech Rep: 32 Site Mileage: 225 LLoydB Mech Rep: 32 Site Mileage: 216 antonz Mech Rep: 32 Site Mileage: 216 About Us | Contact Us | FAQ | Privacy Policy | Site Map Vehicle Aid © 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.