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2002 Chevy Impala Intermittent starting problem


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awebb49
New User

May 17, 2010, 12:30 PM

Post #1 of 5 (6412 views)
post icon 2002 Chevy Impala Intermittent starting problem Sign In

I recently bought a 2002 Chevy Impala with 70K miles. On several occasions it would not start. The key would turn but the motor would not even try to turn over. All electrical light up and worked fine. Would try many multiple times to get it to start. Had towed to dealer where I bought it, but when the tow truck driver got there it started. But went ahead and had it towed. Car was checked out and all electrical good, they found nothing abnormal. Happened again, got it to dealer, but this time I tried to remember everything I could about all the instances. It happens when the car is parked on an incline with the front up and the car seems to roll back further when it is put in park. There have been two occasions when the car would not start, the gear shift was moved out or park and immediately placed back in park and the car started. If the car is parked on an incline with the trunk higher and the car is put in park the car only moves forward an inch or so, but when the car is parked on an incline with the hood elevated, the car tends to roll back about 5 inches. I do not know how much of this is part of the problem, but I have related everything I have noticed. I would appreciate serious answers and if anyone else has experienced a similar problem and how it was corrected.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 17, 2010, 12:52 PM

Post #2 of 5 (6404 views)
Re: 2002 Chevy Impala Intermittent starting problem Sign In

Rolling 5 inches is more than normal IMO and if you have a warranty I'd mention that soon. It may be playing games with the neutral safety switch if you get no cranking at all. Try neutral for now for starting if/when it's acting up or pushing shifter more towards the "P" of park may help,

T



awebb49
New User

May 18, 2010, 5:42 AM

Post #3 of 5 (6393 views)
Re: 2002 Chevy Impala Intermittent starting problem Sign In

Thank you for the help, I thought it might be something like that but wasn't sure how to express it. Would setting the parking break as soon as I stop help lessen the chance of this happening? Just looking for ways to help preventing it and keeping my frustration level a little lower. Thanks again


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 18, 2010, 6:11 AM

Post #4 of 5 (6390 views)
Re: 2002 Chevy Impala Intermittent starting problem Sign In

By the book you are supposed to set parking brake such that it's doing ALL the holding power not just the "Park" of the transmission. I am guilty as almost everywhere I park is level so don't use them. On enough of an incline if not set properly first while in N or even D you can get stuck in park and really break the shifter fighting to get it out!

The fact that this rolls further one way than the other may suggest a weak trans or motor mount.

This apparently is playing games by the description with the neutral safety switch - there to prevent the starter from working in gear as you know,

T



awebb49
New User

May 18, 2010, 6:17 AM

Post #5 of 5 (6385 views)
Re: 2002 Chevy Impala Intermittent starting problem Sign In

Thanks, I appreciate the education.






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