So my car will start for about 3 seconds and then die. It will start 3 times and then it wont crank until i disconnect the battery and then reconnect it. I have no idea what is wrong with the car and i have to drive back to school tonight wich is about a hour and 20 min. Any ideas on what is going on with my car. I checked fuses and nothing they are all fine.

 

first reaction to your statement would be....crankshaft sensor...but, there are other things that could cause this as well...but this is a $45 dollar part...so my first question to you is the "check engine" light on?

 

Doc I have no lights. Also I have no radio, rpm guage, or ac controls. Everything else works. My parents did get me a new battery and im really hoping they did not put it on wrong the first time.

 

I am wondering if this isn't related to the RCM.....DJ (tighed1) might have an idea. These boards, or modules, can crack around the solder joints, and cause certain things to not work, including "no start". Won't help you this evening, but if it is the module, you can mail it to him, he will mail you a replacement, and only charge you $10....look up the thread "mystery no start".....now, with that said, you have done the obvious, and checked all fuses....correct?...

 

This is sounds the same as the problem that I had with my SCREEM. 3 second run, then stop, then nothing---disconnect battery and 3 more times. If you research and this is it, you have 30 total tries and the ECM with stop working. There is a program in it that thinks that you are trying to steal the car and will kill the ECM---forever. The dealer HAD to but me one because I showed them what I found and MADE them put this on the work order. Well, the tech went over 30 tries and the ECM was cooked. Good luck. Jimmy

 

I had forgotten about this, rare, but does happen...and it sure sounds like is this with the 3 start series...better take it to a dealer...Jimmy, did it throw any codes....???

 

I would go with Jimmy too.... the crankshaft or camshaft sensor wouldnt stop after 3 tries and then be reset by disconnecting the battery..... better get it to a dealer that you trust and make sure to tell them about the SKREEM module and the 30 try limit...

 

Hey Doc,

No codes just 3 short runs and then nothing. Hard set the ECM and 3 more then nothing again. I knew this was weird, so I got on the net. I found the info on MB World (I think---2 years ago now) and like I said, I showed the service writer what I printed off---even gave him a copy; I went, as far as, to show the tech what I did and TOLD him that was 7-8-9, and he had 21 more attempts. Luckily, I made the service writer put it on the work order.

The main reason that I did this was they were telling me it was my key. I said NO WAY---how does my key know that I disconnected the CAR'S battery? It can not, but THEY SAID it was the key---I said no. Something in the car was being reset when the battery was disconnected, so the problem had to be using the car's power source thus in the car---the key has its own battery. So, I had it put on the work order that I was in disagreement, but was willing to pay the $428, but no more, and they needed to count the starts. Well, the tech must have gone to 22 because the ECM died. So for $428, I had a new key (which I did not need), a SKREEM (which I did need), and an ECM (which I needed AFTER they blew it up) put into the car. It only needed the SKREEM, but the "Crossfire Tech" would not listen to me at all.

What an ordeal. On top of all this, they scratched the bezel around the gauges. The dealer fixed it, but it was a mess.

Good luck cassidyrj1---Copy this and give it to the service writer and tech---make TWO. Also have them put on the work order the 30 try limit MINUS how many you have done. Just trying to help---it saved me a lot of trouble and money. Also, have them note the condition of the bezel; it is painted and very easy to scratch. Let us know what the problem was---The above is just what happen to me, but yours sure sounds the same, Jimmy

 

I replaced my battery today and the car will not start. Does not even crank, just click, click, click.

I had an alarm problem because i left the hood unlocked for a couple days after locking the car. Replaced battery, checked fuses and tried to start. Car will light up, no crank. Only tried starting it a total of 6-7 times, well under the limited discussed previously.

Weird

 

isent that the typical sign for the "mystery no start" issue? The click click click??

 

I just pulled the RCM out and took a look. Real clean, smooth and no cracking, but I dabbed a little solder on the contact points. Reinstalled and....click click click.

Getting more frustrated. It at least turned over before I reinstalled the new battery. I will now verify battery is fully charged but I'm running out of options before having to take it in. No warranty so not wanting to do that.

 

ditto, check the battery....weird things have happened...

 

Hey guys sorry busy week. The car was towed to the dealer on friday and hopefully with hear some news soon. I will let you know when I hear something on the car. Thanks for your help. Doc I checked the rcm and they looked good but we will see when I hear from the dealership.