Hi guys, I would really appreciate any advice on how to get my car started. I have a 97 GLE Auto. The car was running fine but was having some hesitation when trying to start it. I drove it today to the store than when I came out it would not start at all. I had to have it towed back and now it is sitting in my driveway.

There is a "Errrrrr, Errrrr" type noise coming from the unit pictured below, I'm not sure what it is... do I need to go ahead and replace that? I read about the grounding wire to the starter and to the tranny, I already bought some 8 guage wire and will try it tommorrow but could it be something more like a bad starter? I tried to use a screw driver and connect the wire and the starter together while turning the car on and it still did not start which is making me think it is not the starter causing the problem. Please guy I hate having to go to the mechanic and spend money I can't afford all because of this. The car runs great I just need to figure out how to get it to start. Thanks.



Edit: Battery works fine and I checked all the fuses....

 

You could buy a starter from a junk yard for about $50 and ask them ahead of time if you can take it back for a refund if it doesn't work. I did that at a reputable place around here. I would start there assuming you have no codes.

Try this website and search for starters around your area-

http://www.car-part.com/index.htm

 

I had the same problem with my 96Auto, I went into the store came out and would just make a light clicking noise when the key was turned, and earlier that week the car was taking forever to start. I would say starter

 

Check to see if any codes are showing. Did you try tapping the starter to see if it will turn over. Does your lights come on? Grounding your car is allways a good approach to isolating the problem.

 

I'm having the same problem. I took the starter out and had it tested, and it tested out fine. I installed a new battery and the car started twice. Now it's back to not starting at all.

The only symptoms before this was a sluggish start...(it took a little while longer to turn over.) I'll keep you posted on the results if I find anything.

 

If it cranks then its not the starter. Sluggish start is either fuel or spark issue. Take off your intake and spray some carb cleaner or starting fluid in the throttle body and put the intake back on and try starting it. That carb cleaner/ starting fluid acts as instant fuel. This will let you know if it is a fuel issue.

I had this problem and I ended up checking the fuel pressure which was really low during start up and (fuel pump is supposed to build pressure prior to start up). I then replaced my fuel pump and everything has been fine.

 

Starter is not cranking at all. Took it to autozone and it tested out fine. I put the key in the ignition and turn and it is silence.

 

Okay, I ran the cpu codes and nothing came up. I've since disconnected everything and I'm ready to remove the starter once I can get this damn black wire disconnected. I will order a new one from e-bay 11 tooth version and install the ground 8 guage cable as well as clean all the terminals. I'll update to see if that fixed the problem.

 

turn the key on and jump the starter with a screw driver. if it starts the car it could be a starter solnoid. dont quote me though, because i havent had my car long enough to know if its built into the starter, seperate, or what.

 

I tried that and it would not start.

 

if the key is on and u jump the terminals and it doesnt start/crank, and the starter tested good off the car, then you have a power/ground issue.

 

how can u test to see if its the ground? ive got that same problem right now and i already got another starter my car is doing exactly what his is doing

 

You can always run a wire from one of the starter mounting bolts back to the negitive cable and see what happens.

 

Okay finnally took off the starter and had it tested at Strauss Auto. Did not even spin, completely dead. So, they ordered a new one and I'm going to go pick it up tommorrow. I also got some 8 guage to ground it properly this time. Will update the thread upon progress

 

If you turn the key and its complete silence, then its your ignition switch.

 

It might be your crank sensor.You should have that checked.What happened to mine was it didn't crank either.Took it to the dealer and it was the crank sensror.

 

Did anybody get anywhere yet with this issue? I'm having a very similar issue. But my steering wheel doesn't lock either. I'm also hearing a sound from that thing in the picture att eh start of the thread. I also hear a sound by my center console area.

Could I need a new cranck shaft sensor? How can I test that? My starter is like 6 months old, so I doubt it's that. But I have intermitent issue with sometimes it taking for ever to turn over, but I think it may be fuel pressure related.

Regardless car won't start, no click...turn the key and silence except for that buzzing sound from the thing in the pic at the top of the page.

 

If it was crank sensor the starter would at least crank.

 

Once again, complete silence is ignition switch.

 

cool. ignition switch is my next attempt to resolve this issue. Anybody know if these things are expensive?

 

$25 or so.

 

Installed new starter and added a ground wire, the car runs perfectly now, starts as if it was new. Thanks.

 

where did you ground it to? and what ground did you replace? the one from the baterry? Let me know please, as I bought a new ignition switch today, and plan on tryign to get this beast started hopefully today...thanks in advance

 

Bought some 8 guage wire and a round connector, connected it to the first bolt on the starter and to the negative terminal on the battery.

 

Ok I'll try that today. I tried the ignition switch, it did nothing for me. I still turn the key and ntohign happens, except for a click coming from a relay or something by the fuse box on the driverside under the dash. But nothign happens at the starter.

I'll try the new ground wire and see what happens

 

If you can hear a click then it was never your ignition switch.

 

i hear a click by the fuse box inside the car on the driver side, well the only fuse box, sounds like it's from a relay I'm assuming. So then most likely a ground or power not reachign the starter then?

I just don't understand why the steering wheel doesn't lock properly. I am able to turn the wheels quite a bit. And then once it does lock, I am not able to turn the key in the ignition

 

Well i added a new ground wire to one of the mounting bolts and ran it to the negative terminal on the battery. It starts up fine now. I'm wonderign I have a general bad ground. As I have had several electrical isues where things just die, like my radio, my stock alarm/auto starter system.

but my steering wheel doesn't lock anymore??? I guess I'll start a new thread for thsi issue...unless somebody has some quick input

 

i have the same problem... i put the key in and try to start it... nothing. I had to juggle the key on there and keep on trying before it starts... so i'll try the ignition switch just like elcid did...

 

anyone got a picture at what i'm looking for?