I think I would give this a shot also. Beats beating on the dash to get it to work.

 

That's a fact! At least so far.

 

I 2nd this. I had the same annoying problem since I bought my car in March of '07. It took several visits to the dealership (was under warranty), but they could never figure it out. Finally after some research of my own, and getting out the multimeter and a wiring schematic for the starting system, I quickly determined it was the starter. Finally it acted up at the dealership too, and right I was... had to replace starter (and accompanying solenoid).

So keep this in mind, and good luck fixing the problem. It sucks when you have a hot car that WON'T start!

 

did it to me tonight. I pumped the clutch pedal once...and it started.. IDK if it was coincidental or not...and i was using key # 2

 

my clutch saftey switch used to fall off and my car would do this, and before I knew that switch was under my pedal I thought I had a problem as well, so might want to take a look under your clutch pedal and if that switch is dangling put it back, I had to put a dab of super glue on back of mine to keep it from falling.

 

You turned the key to start... held it there... and the car didn't start? Then... with the key still on "start", did you pump the clutch? If so... you found your problem.

 

Yes I did it once

 

Where is the clutch position switch located?

 

There's a black plastic button behind the pedal stalk mounted to the floorboard. This switch connects to a small relay that's next to the BCM in the passenger footwell (behind the removable carpeted panel). When it's not starting, you should still hear a faint click come from the passenger footwell area. This is the theft deterrent relay. If you hear it clicking, yet it still won't start, it's probably your starter. If you don't hear the theft deterrent relay click, then it could be the clutch safety switch, the theft deterrent relay, or maybe something in the BCM related to the anti-theft system.

Pay real close attention to the clicking sound next time it's dead and won't turn over. I opened up my theft deterrent relay so I had access to the switch that leads directly to the starter solenoid. When my starter was working, I could close the relay points and the engine would turn over (wouldn't start of course because the key wasn't in). But at the times when the starter was frozen, I'd just get a spark at the relay points telling me that the starter solenoid was frozen.

It's not a very common problem, but I have found others on the forum that have had the same problem. I guess some starters fail over time because of the heat they absorb being right next to the exhaust.

 

Got home and changed the ignition switch. Still doing the same thing.

I kept the key turned and pumped the clutch and i could hear a click ..click..click..but no turn over...Sounded like the click was inside the car..I ordered the clutch switch

 

ding ding! I"m sure this is it. have it looked at or tested.

 

It cost me $4.18 lol

I think ill just change it out...Does battery need to be disconnected?

 

In my experience... no. I can't think of a single weatherpack connector on our car that is dangerous to remove with the battery connected.

 

WEll Im going to try that when I get home...

 

By "clutch switch" I'm guessing you mean the clutch safety switch. If you're hearing a click (make sure the click you hear is coming from the passenger footwell), then the clutch safety switch is working fine. I tried a new theft deterrent relay, but that didn't fix anything. With the multitester and the TDR opened to access the switch contact points, I quickly determined that it was my starter.

NOW if you can get under the car while someone pushes clutch in and tries to start, then you can tap the starter solenoid with a hammer while someone is holding the key in start position. This will dislodge the starter solenoid, then it should immediately turn over (so be careful!). Your symptoms sound 100% exactly like my problem, so I'm still betting money that it's your starter.

 

I had an issue where I could not start mine. the columb lock activated, I got it to unactivate, but it would not start.

I push started mine and then it worked for a few cycles.
I thought it was the starter as well. car had like 15K miles.

called the dealer and they said there was a recall (related to columb lock BS). had whatever done and installed the columb lock bypass. never had a problem again.

 

I changed the clutch safety switch and Its still doing it....

 

It isn't the clutch safety switch. I insert my key and turn to start the car. All the lights are working, the guages do the full sweep function and then nothing. Swapping keys, jiggling the switch, punching everything does nothing to improve matters.

My guess is you will have a code in the system regarding the PCM stating that the BCM received invalid voltage from the SDM so it sends a do not start to the PCM and thus the car will not start. I think the code is P2731 but I am probably wrong. Been a while since I reset the damned code.

Also, you will likely find a U1001 or one of the other codes that indicates a bad ground connection or some type of serial bus communications issue.

I seriously doubt that you have this issue and no code is showing in the system. Not impossible, but doubtful.

You will find that when you go to start the car and it does not start on the first attempt, you just leave the key in the ignition and wait 3 full minutes at which time the car will then start. This is part of the security system. My '01 does this as well and I just deal with it because I have already taken the ign switch out and cleaned the contacts (thanks Bill Curlee) which solved the problem for a couple of weeks only to have it return again. I priced that ign switch and it isn't cheap. One of these days I will tire of it, but since the car is not my daily driver I just deal with it the few times a month it happens.

A thought has just occurred to me regarding this: I had to drive the car for a couple of weeks because my other DD was relegated to a teen who needed it. Anyway, I seemed to have the problem more times when I used the fob to open the door because I have the Memory option with the easy entry enabled. Anyway, I turned off the easy entry and am leaving the seat where it is and the problem is much rarer. Still occurs but not as often. I can't help but think it is just a loose wire somewhere in the BCM harness and may be under or near the seat......I may look at the wiring diagram again to see who is talking to whom again.

 

I have had this as well in the past and it was amazingly the starter.

 

Anyone else?