3.2TLc

My wife's 2000 TL will not start about once a month. Other than that, everything appears to be working well at 150,000 miles. The battery and alternator are new. What happens is that the starter will crank normally, but just won't turn the motor on. Most of the time it starts right off on the first crank, but it's that random occurance that it refuses to start. My thoughts are that it might be something with a relay or solenoid ? Maybe not getting fuel ? Could the starter be bad even though it still cranks with good battery voltage ? If anyone has experienced a similiar problem, I'd appreciate some pointers. Thanks for any assistance !

2000TL-Navi

iTrader: (5)

try checking ur battery...or replacing it with a Higher CCA....mines had the same issue...wouldnt start right up..would have to turn the key several times.. replaced it with a higher CCA battery.. havent had the problem ever since.. hope that helps..

fsttyms1

So it just sits there and cranks?? Next time it happens look at the dash and see if you see the Green immobilizer key flashing while trying to start it.

Bob_F

A failing ignition switch might be another possibility.

3.2TLc

Thanks ! I appreciate the tips suggested. It's such a "random" thing, that it'll be hard to know when the next time will occur. But, I'll be sure to check for the flashing immobilizer light. When it does happen, the starter will crank normally. That's what led me to think it may possibly be fuel starved for whatever reason. Would an "iffy" ignition switch still allow the starter to crank ? It appears as though power is good to the starter, but maybe not opening up the fuel flow............just my rambling, maybe I've got a gremlin in my TL's computer !

fsttyms1

If it cranks and cranks normally but it wont fire it sounds like an immobilizer issue. Thats why i said to look for the Green key. How many keys do you have on the key ring? If there are a lot that may be the problem, Also if there is another key with an immobilizer chip in it that may be causing it as well.

Bob_F

There's even a warning about multiple keys in the owner's manual.

3.2TLc

" How many keys on the key ring ? " My wife has 2 other keys, one being a house key and the other one is for a 2000 Chevy Cavalier. I don't think that it has a chip in it. Other than that, she does have a plastic fob of some sort hanging on the ring. Usually, when I get the "no start" problem handed over to me, I attempt to start it using my spare OEM factory key. This spare is by itself on a ring except for a plastic fob. The car still only sits there and cranks normally. So, I go through my ritual of removing the key and re-inserting it a few times, moving the gear shifter to neutral, applying the brake, pulling the "back-up fuse", turning the steering wheel, buckling up, etc.......... then walking away from it, which for whatever reason has enabled me to finally get the motor started eventually. I really don't recall the green "immobilizer" light flashing other than for a few seconds after inserting key, which I felt was normal.

ch0wch0w

hey i believe we should a similar problem.. does tis occur at random times. My car starts most of the time, but there were times where it had trouble. When i start my car, my car starts to jerk for a few seconds and then it completely shuts off the engine. A temporary solution to start my car was gasing it once i started it. I believe it was now getting enough fuel. Gasing it helped stabilized my car.

3.2TLc

I don't think our problem is similar, as my TL doesn't jerk or shut off once started. Mine runs very smooth after it's started. It appears as though your car does not want to idle after starting. There are some posts that may help you with this problem. Are you still needing to "gas it" or have you found a permanent solution ?

Loudog27

I have the same problem, but it went from random to almost half the time. I try to start it and it cranks the starter but doesn't fire. In mine the Immobilizer light wont come on at all when its acting up. Please help

Loudog27

I finally got a chance to really get into my car with my factory service manual and figured out the problem. The PGM FI main relay was sticking closed, not sending power to the Immoblizer receiving unit, and two feeds into the PCM, that turn on the fuel pump and the immobilzer circuit. Yeah got it fixed finally