Hoping someone can help me with this problem... Car is a 95 Monte Carlo LS 3.4L... About a month ago the car wouldn't start, all lights and radio would come on but wouldn't crank. Replaced the battery, still wouldn't start. Several hours later tried it again and it started right up. Drove it for about a month and the same thing happened again. Replaced both battery cables, still won't start. Checked the relays in the engine compartment and they seem ok (I think)... Any help would be DEEPLY appreciated!!!!!!

 

I have a 3.8... But I understand that the 3.4 have a problem with the crank sensors... I would replace it and that should resolve your not start problem.

Hope this helps...
Im sure someone else will chime in with more advise/help!

 

It ended up being the starter... thanks for the reply, though. I appreciate it!

 

Its good to know you have it taken care of!

I recently replied to a gentleman on here with a similar issue....
I guess you could say...I'm glad I was wrong... and that yu have it repaired!

Thanks for replying on the fix.!

 

yes if it wouldn't crank then it is a starter. if it cranks and no start then possibly the crank sensor but could be fuel or ignition related too. I had a 3.4 DOHC for 10 years and never had an issue with the crank sensor. in the end the timing chain tensioner that drives the timing belt broke and killed the engine. this lead to the 3800 swap and later topswap leaving me where i am now.

 

Sometimes it's the VATS (Vehicle Anti Theft System). I have two 97 monte carlos that I had to fix the wires going to the ignition lock cylinder that read the ohm resistance of the keys. Over time the wires weaken and break. When that happens the car can't read the key and it won't turn over. In some cases they can work intermittently until they completely sever. Either case, you have to remove the steering wheel and access the ignition lock cylinder and repair the wires or replace it altogether with a new one (New key must have correct resistance or it won't work). Or you can read the resistance of your key and piece togther a few resistors in series and plug it into the dash-side of the orange two-wire harness below the column and never have to worry about it again. That's how you disable VATS.

 

Just so you know, GM does not chip all their keys anymore for VATS/PassLock systems. Such as the '00-'05 Monte does not use a chipped key BUT does have PassLock. I don't know all the in's and out's of VATS/PassLock, but I know that part.

 

another way to get rid of vats II, you can have a remote start put in...because of VATS II, it will have a bypass...that way you won't even have to worry about it ever again