I’ll be posting this in multiple areas for efficiency since its my first substantial entry to the forum.

Winter has not been nice to my 97 here in the frozen tundra of MN. I want to go into full detail up front but am short on time abs at best can explain as we go via discussion I hope, asa recent me new member, to stir up in the community!

First I will be honest and upfront in that I’m no expert and have been crash course style learning everything as I go and attempt to DIY diagnose and repair. I landed this Monte last year (2020) in June for $850 and only 93xxx miles from a 3rd owner with the original being a salvage title (things that make you go hmmmmmm..) and the last two from same family that didn’t drive it much I started with barely any tools and a trusty Haynes manual. It’s been fun and interesting and frustrating throughout and I won’t quit and I’m not going quietly lol

Right now I am up against not able to start her up. No crank. Intermittent clicks. I suspected a bad ground wire from a starting component so I replaced cables and leads from the battery to the starter. Haven’t whacked the starter yet. Battery is likely fried from too many jumps and a possible electrical gremlin or bad BCM.

All suggestions questions and comments welcome and anything helpful is appreciated!

 

Welcome to the forum, harsh winters don't like batteries, so you may just need a new battery. Also check for corrosion on/in the terminals of the battery.

 

I just replaced my dorman ignition switch which was bad as it was giving me a parasitic drain or not allowing my ignition pins to connect to start without pushing on the plastic backplate. I don't recommend using dorman for the ignition switch replacement.

 

Had the battery tested today and it barely passed with the always fun to hear “last quarter of life” grade. I anticipated this yet will have to do because I have more than a hunch it’sa wiring issue.

Time to whip out the test light, boys

 

Battery replaced. Still no crank, one click. Security light goes off.

I had a friend take a look at it and he tried the solenoid start trick with not luck so his verdict was a bad starter and a new one would fix it. Well that’s what I did.. Replaced starter and ground wiring. No changes. Still no start, no crank, one click.

Something isn’t getting enough voltage maybe? One click... mocking me 😖

 

My car would do something similar to that sometimes, one click, then nothing - but I had no lights, etc. I ended up replacing the battery, and cleaning the positive & negative terminal ends and it resolved my issue. I suppose your ignition switch could cause that problem too, but I doubt it.

 

these sound like ignition switch issues. Put a multimeter on the started 12v wire from the ignition switch. Use alligator clips and have a friend read it when you turn the key if no voltage is going through its an ignition issue. Check fuses and ohms through the wires in segments. You can also try taking the kick plate off which is below the steering wheel, shiny aluminum then press ont he back of the ignition switch to see if that will work when you turn the key (I did that for weeks before the part arrived and I got around to replacing it)

If you do get 12v to the starter from the ignition switch then check grounds and relays.

 

I was preparing to learn how to check the ignition switch wire. Is that The purple wire of the solenoid terminal?

I have replaced the alternator after a bench test for the starter made me believe it’s not the
Problem. I went abs started looking at all the wiring from the alternator and found the fusible link had melted. That led me to want to get a closer look and the primary wire and sure enough it was green as HULK. I made a rookie mistake in trying to salvage any of the wire I removed it all and now I have new 2g wire from the alternator to the passenger fuse and then also the positive and ground for the battery and starter.

i still can’t start and have a weird sounding attempt at cranking and the chime module picked up pace dinging faster. At this point I know the solenoid could be the problem because I don’t have the right size or type of nut on the terminal. Will be picking up m10 flanged nuts today

Any instruction or breakdown of checking ignition switch wiring, voltage, good/bad is appreciate. I wish I had another pair of hands as I don’t have anyone to turn the key while I’m under the hood