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Post by dgriffin on May 30, 2011 7:00:38 GMT -5
Chris, The following may be too technical for you, but keep on hand for your car guy to read for suggestions. Repair Forum: www.automotivehelper.com/topic452892.htmOne very interesting post from the above url that goes along with what was mentioned by JGR is this: "First welcome to the boards. Sorry to hear about your car. The good news is that the fix should not be to hard nor expensive. You have eliminated the expensive pieces. There are 3 different switches that can fail or come out of adjustment that will cause a no start condition and your car only has 2. (None of the Autozone links are current.) 1 ignition switch (http://www1.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/04/b2/00/0900823d8004b200.jsp) 2 neutral safety switch (automatic tranny) or clutch start switch (Standard tranny) (http://www1.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/04/b3/96/0900823d8004b396.jsp) Check out the General Information (http://www1.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/19/99/71/0900823d80199971.jsp) on starters and these test procedures (http://www1.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/19/99/7c/0900823d8019997c.jsp) also. A quick check of the neutral safety switch is to try to wiggle the shifter in park and in neutral while holding the key in the start position. The only other thing I can think of is a fusible link (wire) that goes from the alternater to the starter.Good luck and let us know what you find."
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Post by firstamendment on May 30, 2011 14:39:29 GMT -5
i completely forgot about the neutral safety switch
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Post by firstamendment on May 30, 2011 14:51:10 GMT -5
Aha! Possibly it was indeed a valet key, although it didn't look any different that I remember, but it was seven years ago. The truck was new, so I don't know why they might have been using one, but it makes sense. Also, it doesn't make sense the wipers wouldn't work for a valet, but I guess if he stole my car he wouldn't get far in the rain! My wife had a Sebring that had a valet key. It would unlock the driver's door and fit in the ignition. But it would not unlock the trunk and glove box to protect valuables. I don't remember if certain items in the car, like radio, worked or not with that key since it is several years ago. Neutral safety switch is a thought, usually on the transmission. Clutch switch in the case of a manual shift vehicle. Those are usually found on the floorboard or up under the dash where the clutch pivot is. Another thought also depends on the vehicle. GM has an anti-theft system called Passlock that will prevent the vehicle from starting in certain situations. I've read of some Saturn owners having issues with the ignition switches where the Passlock would activate and they'd have to wait for about 10 minutes for it to reset itself before they could start the car. Other car makers have similar systems with their own brand names for it. Keyless entry is also part of some OEM security systems. That same Sebring I mentioned, if you had the doors locked with the windows open and reached in to unlock and open the door, it would set the alarm off. Ironically, with all the technology that car had, it did not have automatic headlights, where they'd turn off if left on. Found that out the hard way at least once. Then, of course, there are aftermarket add-on's like remote start, that can cause problems trying to start a car if they malfunction/
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Post by chris on May 30, 2011 21:00:18 GMT -5
Well the saga continues.....went to stop for gas before left for the pool party. Pulled up to a pump and the pump card slot was not working. So I went to start the car to leave to drive to another pump and you guessed it.......car would not start. This time the steering locked on me and key when I went to insert it in the ignition would not go in. So back on the phone, call AAA, they come down and what happens. He takes my key inserts it into the ignition and the damm things starts. (two guys were in my car trying to help start it before AAA came. Well now that the car is running I drove it straight over to Firestone where I got my battery and they are currently working on it. (were supposed to call me so since no word yet and it was Memorial Day I am assuming they will get to it in the morning) My sister came to pick me up from Firestone and made me a double Margarita once I got to the party. The rest of the day was puurrrrfect. Pool was nice and warm and the sun was out and my margaritas were tasting mighty good that I forgot all about the damn car.....till tomorrow of course. Even the new AAA guy thinks its the tumblers in the ignition. Lets see what Firestone comes up with. They are charging me 95.00 just for a diagnostic which does not show up tumbler problems. I just want and need my car fixed right!
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Post by chris on May 31, 2011 19:05:16 GMT -5
Cont'd...........well hopefully this is the end of this story. Called Firestone this morning as soon as they opened since I didn't hear at all from them yesterday. They told me I should have my car back by 12N. Since I work a half a day I could have come in and make up my time this afternoon. Well that didn't pan out as they called me at 11a to tell me they were running behind. Finally at 430 call came to pick it up. I find out that the new key will only work the ignition and not the doors or the trunk and not to mix them up as I may disable my car since it now has a security code in the key. Not too happy with this news as it is like putting salt on a wound. So I drive off to Wegmans To return a DVD that I forgot to return yesterday. Key will not come out of the ignition. I call back the turkeys and tell them what happened and they ask me to come back and they will have a look (like I have a choice). Back I go and only to have the technician also not be able to get it out so he had to call another guy more experienced. He got it out and said it appears it had spurs so he polished it up a bit and I now can get it out on my own but it still is not a clean insert as it used to be and sticks still. They had to get the key made at a GM dealer so what kind of work do they do. They don't check their work to see if it works before calling to get my car and that goes for both the dealer and Firestone. IN the mean time it is like a hundred degrees outside and I am sweating bullets and not thinking straight from the heat not to even think about all that has transpired. It has been a long long day. Thanks for listening.
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Post by clarencebunsen on May 31, 2011 19:46:17 GMT -5
Maybe some Beach Boys will help. Turn up the volume & imagine crusin' to the Dairy Queen.
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Post by firstamendment on Jun 1, 2011 1:17:08 GMT -5
Cont'd...........well hopefully this is the end of this story. Called Firestone this morning as soon as they opened since I didn't hear at all from them yesterday. They told me I should have my car back by 12N. Since I work a half a day I could have come in and make up my time this afternoon. Well that didn't pan out as they called me at 11a to tell me they were running behind. Finally at 430 call came to pick it up. I find out that the new key will only work the ignition and not the doors or the trunk and not to mix them up as I may disable my car since it now has a security code in the key. Not too happy with this news as it is like putting salt on a wound. So I drive off to Wegmans To return a DVD that I forgot to return yesterday. Key will not come out of the ignition. I call back the turkeys and tell them what happened and they ask me to come back and they will have a look (like I have a choice). Back I go and only to have the technician also not be able to get it out so he had to call another guy more experienced. He got it out and said it appears it had spurs so he polished it up a bit and I now can get it out on my own but it still is not a clean insert as it used to be and sticks still. They had to get the key made at a GM dealer so what kind of work do they do. They don't check their work to see if it works before calling to get my car and that goes for both the dealer and Firestone. IN the mean time it is like a hundred degrees outside and I am sweating bullets and not thinking straight from the heat not to even think about all that has transpired. It has been a long long day. Thanks for listening. The fact that they went thru the trouble of replacing the ignition lock cylinder and key from a GM dealer and didn't bother to match it to the existing key for the door locks is a half ass job to me. I had to have the passenger door lock replaced on a Saturn once and the dealer ordered the exact replacement for it keyed for my car. There is no need for a different key.
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Post by chris on Jun 1, 2011 18:00:30 GMT -5
Exactly what I thought and I told them this was crappy work and that I was not too happy. I am going to write a letter to GM. I guess the cloud is still hanging over my head. Today when I came into work I was informed my position would be eliminated. (Thank you Obamacare and Medicaid cut backs) My last day will be August 31. I knew this job was too good to be true. Excuse me while I go eat some worms.
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Post by firstamendment on Jun 1, 2011 18:56:55 GMT -5
Exactly what I thought and I told them this was crappy work and that I was not too happy. I am going to write a letter to GM. I guess the cloud is still hanging over my head. Today when I came into work I was informed my position would be illuminated. (Thank you Obamacare and Medicaid cut backs) My last day will be August 31. I knew this job was too good to be true. Excuse me while I go eat some worms. Not to split hairs over a misspelling, especially when you're on a down note, but I think you meant eliminated not illuminated. Somehow I don't think they are shining a light on you. sorry to hear it. Not fun. My mom was pushed out the door last summer after 25 years with the company because they supposedly were eliminating positions, when in reality they replaced her with a newbie at less than half the pay..... See where loyalty gets you these days, a pat on the back and a shiv in the ass.
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Post by chris on Jun 1, 2011 23:59:55 GMT -5
Thanks for pointing that out to me FA...I will fix it right now. I was in a job for 25yrs before this one and it took me 3 years to find the current one. In this current situation they are not hurting finacially but jumping the gun by anticipating the Medicaid cutbacks. Altogether there are about 20 positions eliminated throughout the agency. This agency is a for profit where my previous positon was with a non profit agency. My sister works at Rochester General and they are eliminating the whole medical records dept because of a new electronic system being put in place. Same at my place they are currently installing a new billing system that will go live June 20th and they are thinking it will need less people with the newer and faster electronic system in place. Time will tell. (BTW....I left out the best part of this scenario that topped the cake...if I share you will be ROFLYAO and have a completely different view of moi , not sure if I wish to hurt my image as it stands now)
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Post by dgriffin on Jun 2, 2011 5:00:48 GMT -5
I'm becoming convinced unions will rise again. But it will take a while. If they don't get busy soon there will be no jobs left to organize.
My son just got laid off from his job with the state. He's disabled and has worked for the state for 18 years! In his case, his union has been significantly unhelpful.
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Post by clarencebunsen on Jun 2, 2011 5:13:04 GMT -5
Chris,
There is no good time for being laid off but your situation seems particularly inopportune. Good luck in how you proceed from this point.
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Post by chris on Jun 2, 2011 18:13:21 GMT -5
Dave....my brother worked for the state and just retired in the nick of time. He took an early retirement. I am more worried about his GF who also is management and has told me how nasty the NYS unions are. (she is currently involved in a case and it has been dragging on for a couple years now...what a waste of our tax dollars) Sorry to hear about your son.
CB ............in Oct I will turn 65 so I have to apply for Medicare. When I got laid off last time I found out I could collect survivor benefits and so am collecting that plus I will collect unemployment and hopefully find another part time job to keep me out of trouble. I do not like sitting home. Hopefully my health benefits will be much lower than what I am paying now. As long as I make enough to cover my bills each month I'll be good. I also am entitled to a pension which I have not started to collect. (was holding off with all this till I really need to collect so I don't have to pay taxes on it) I am not rich but maybe better off than some that lost there jobs and have a mortgage to pay, college bills, car payment etc. I have no debt either.
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Post by chris on Jun 19, 2011 0:29:20 GMT -5
Today I was to drive to a reunion in Utica. That didn't happen. Pulled up to a gas pump to fuel up, went to drive away and car won't start.......here we go again. Tow brought me back to Firestone who just replaced my ignition.....now they tell me its the starter. Well they got the car started (or did they). AAA tells me if I walk away from the car for 10 minutes it will reset and start up again. So is that what happened. I know Firestone is just jerking me around and doing sloppy work to boot but they are not getting the next repair job. (just keeping my fingers crossed car will start till I get to my regular repair man..AAA told me I had just used up all my service calls for the year..doesn't mattter what level membership you own 4 is the limit. TYVM).
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Post by JGRobinson on Jun 19, 2011 5:29:00 GMT -5
Sorry to hear Chris, sounds like a cloud is following you at the moment! It also sounds like Firestone & GM owe you as many tows as it takes to fix your car! I dont like when Technicians guess at the problem or the fix. It doesnt sound like a starter to me, the ten minute reset sounds more like a security time out. One clue to the cause of this is the type of failure. I think you said it either starts perfectly or doesnt do anything or make any noises at all. Bad starters click, moan, grind, dont turn at all or can be intermittent but I cant think of a single one Ive ever seen that had a reset mode. On the old ones, a hung up solenoid could be freed up by rapping it with a hammer but you cant get to the starters on most newer cars to try that. If they draw too much current, they either smoke or take out a fusable link to the battery, neither will fix itself.
I also dislike any company that lays off someone at 64 3/4s years young. A load of BS and shades of the 80s when experienced workers were replaced by youngsters to save a few bucks. They ended up begging the retirees to come back and show them how to to their jobs in the 90's!
Sorry to hear your soon to be unemployed but Im happy youve prepared not to have that income prior to their downsizing. Many people keep racking up the debt even when they plan on retiring. Part time work without huge pressures to support your needs may be a blessing and more rewarding than working for ungrateful bastards that put potential increased profitability before their employees!
I dont know if the Unions could ever be useful or trustworthy again Dave, they have really lost their focus and turned into Management tools more than representatives of the hourly employee. One Union is picketing in front of Colgate right now because Colgate hires some Non Unionized Contractors like me. The "picketers" drink soda, text and sleep behind the sign that they hang that says "Shame on you Colgate"!
Imagine that, protesting against someone because they chose to hire you and someone other than your Union Dues paying members to work on a the same job site. The only way these folks will quit picketing is if they fire the non Union guy, sounds more like extortion, coercion or Mob Tactics.
My NY City crews actually have to leave the work area if a Union Member enters the site for any reason, otherwise its a major problem. We don't have that problem up here so much but others are almost as insidious. On one job site, the GC's Union Site Supervisor suggested he could get us in his Union. I asked him, does your Union have any current companies that perform the type of work we do? His answer was funny, no but that doesn't matter, its the card that matters. The funniest part of it is, I hire Union and non Union Tradesmen on my crews, they all laughed when I told them about "The Offer". Each and every one of them was making 20%+ more an hour than their Unionized counterparts on that Job Site!
Luckily, my company is one of less than a handful in the CNY area that does what we do, none are Unionized, they can't really red-line us. Ive worked with most of the Union Trade Shops around here and we get along fine. We stay out of their way, even work nights and weekends often just to make sure of that. I just don't see them creating more jobs as much as I see them protecting the ones they have, their own being the most important one!
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