I own a 2001 monte carlo SS. I just tried starting it but it didn't start. The lights on the stock stereo and on the gauges started flickering and weird noises came out of the speakers. The output on the stereo said "error" and the output on the dashboard said "service traction system" and also later on it said "service vehicle soon". Any ideas on what could be wrong? I hope its nothing too serious.

Thanks for the advice.

 

it sounds like your battery died. the cold can get them sometimes, so i'd say thats what happened myself. if your car is an 01 and has never had a new battery, then it is overdue!!

 

yeah, i would say test the battery first, i bought my monte a month ago and its an 04 and the battery was dead from sitting on the dealers lot in the cold...and if thats not the problem, get it scanned asap at either a dealer or a local parts store or something....did you get it started at all?

 

I don't think I have ever changed the battery but the lights in the car were working. I did not get the car started. Should I just buy a new battery asap? or should I try a jump?

 

Btw Im not in the cold, its hot here in so cal.

 

i bought a batt. urly this year and it was doing the same thing with the old batt. ..it has to be the batt.......the car wont start but all interior lights go crazy lol.like the radio and CEL comes on ...either way if its stilll the same batt. then you need a new one by now anyway.buy a new one and see

 

Yup the batt bit the dust

 

and keep in mind that lights don't take nearly as much juice as the starter does. lots of times the lights will work but the car own't start. plus, when you put the new battery in, you may see that the lights are actually alot brighter than you remember

my cars battery died once when i accidnetly truned the ignition to on instead of acc to dry the car while listening to the radio.. that kills batteries. it made a clicking sound as it tried to start.

however, before you drop alot of money on a battery, try ot jump the car. if it jumps, then you know. if you can, i can't remeber wehre it is, but check the date the battery was manufactured. i think 3 years is consdiered a lifespan of a battery.

 

It was the battery. Thanks guys. Problem solved.