Changed the battery now it wont start

superslow86 · Aug 29, 2013

So I just bought a 1999 GT fixer upper and I am trying to get it to start again but am not getting anything. I did the motor mounts and went to start it and got nothing. I thought it was the battery and bought a new one without even checking the voltage (I know the old one is on the brink of dead so no point in messing with it). I can hear a click from the starter relay on the DS inside fender but nothing to the actual starter. The dash lights come on but when I try to start it they all black out except the seat belt, battery and air bag stay on. The theft light comes on but goes off after about 3 seconds or so. The mileage and all others go completely out when I turn the key to the start position. I turned the head lights on and they do not dim at all. The battery is reading at 12.60dcv. I checked the grounds, cleaned the terminals but dont know what else to do.

My thought was maybe an after market alarm or something wired into the ignition wire but I cant see anything out of place or any spliced wires. It just seems weird the 3 lights would stay on, the head light do not dim but the other lights and mileage cut out. Any ideas?

CC'S95GT · Aug 30, 2013

First what is the fixer upper? could be a yugo?

Might be the anit theft system But I don't have one of those (and I'm glad too) so I can't help on that

superslow86 · Aug 30, 2013

I guess that info might help, lol. Sorry, I thought I put it in the original post. I edited it and added it. It is a 1999 GT, 5spd. It does have the anti theft, but the light goes off after about 3 seconds. I am under the impression if the light blinks rapidly there is an issue, which it is not doing that.

CC'S95GT · Aug 30, 2013

You might be able to disable the PATS by disconnecting it in the trunk. driver side wheel well behind the panel.

superslow86 · Aug 30, 2013

Thanks, I will check that out. I am new to the 99-04 format so I think I have a lot to learn and will try and do as much research before asking here.

duh09 · Aug 30, 2013

PATS works by shutting off the fuel pump if I'm not mistaken. If the car's theft system was not allowing the car to start, it would turn over for days but just not fire. At least that's the way it was on a 98 V6 car that I jacked the ignition cylinder out of.

superslow86 · Aug 30, 2013

^That sounds right to me but i am not 100% sure. I really dont think it is the PATS, the THEFT light goes off like normal after rotating the key to the on position. The mileage lights up but when you turn the key to start the motor and engage the starter everything blacks out and will not even crank, nothing at all. There is a click from the starter relay in the fuse box so thats good. I am going to double check all the fuses and go from there. When I pulled out the starter, it did spark because I forgot to undo the battery and the pos cable from the starter hit something. I really think it is something simple and I am just over looking it due to the red I am seeing, lol. Going to start from square one again today and recheck everything.

How did you get the PATS ignition cylinder to work on your car then?

superslow86 · Aug 30, 2013

They owner before ran a new positive battery cable but left the old one in and hooked up for some reason? I cut the old one at the terminal and pulled it out. All that was hooked up was the new battery cable, the old one and the wire running from the fuse box. I hooked up the new batt cable to the starter and attached the fuse box wire as well to the terminal and got rid of the old battery wire. The little wire running from the starter runs up into the harness and I had to re-run that as well because it was exposed so I just cut it near the top before it goes into the harness and spliced in a new wire down to the starter. I really dont think either of these are the issue either but IDK.