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bob
New User
Aug 16, 2006, 3:57 PM
Post #1 of 1
(2662 views)
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2000 Sunfire Won't Crank
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8/22 Update -
Back again and still working on a solution. I changed the alternator, but had the same no crank problem that afternoon. Again, tapping on the alternator worked. So, ruled out the alternator and took it back to the parts store. Other thing I do when I open up the hood to tap on the alternatoris leave car door open, which cools off interior. SO, next day I decided to open the car windows all day and the engine cranked without incident in the hot afternoon. I've decided that the heat inside the closed car is the cause of the problem. But what does the heat do? expand a connection to point of no contact? is there a thermal overheat switch insiude the car? I'm thinking a bad igniton switch. Any thoughts???
8/13 post -
On hot afternoons my 2000 Pontiac Sunfire will not crank. To get it to crank, I have to tap on the alternator body with a rubber mallet. After a few light taps, it cranks and starts right up. I perform this ritual every hot afternoon, which in south FL is every afternoon this time of year. The car cranks beautifully every morning without rubber mallet assist. It isn't a huge bother for me, but my daughter refuses to drive it, claiming unreliability. Well if there is one thing that is reliable, it is the rubber mallet "jump start". In measuring voltages, the alternator puts out 13.2 volts under load (AC, lights, defogger, etc) and battery 14.2 V at the terminals @ 1000 rpm. I don't get it, what does the alternator have to do with cranking the engine?
What might be the problem? I can replace the alternator, but I don't see the logical connection with lack of crank.
(This post was edited by bob on Aug 22, 2006, 3:51 PM)
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