2000 Pontiac Montana - starting problem.

[Ptah]

For the last several weeks, my 2000 Pontiac Montana has been slowly losing cranking speed.
It now will not turn over at all.

The battery that was in is predated my ownership, and was about four years old.

Not too bad for a desert vehicle.

Easy diagnosis, so I replaced the battery.

Only problem, it will not turn the engine over with the new battery.

So after a little web searching, I find that the starter solenoid
is only accessible by removing the starter.

Just wondering if anyone has ever done this particular repair.

[Bertha Venation]

1. I can't say that I've had that problem.

In fact, the only repair I've ever done to a car was to replace battery, wipers, a brake light.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to say and and .

And I wish you the best of luck with your Montana.

[Ptah]

2. Being a farm boy from way back, I've done more mechanical repairs than I can count.

Now that I'm old and worn out, I have little desire or energy to do much of that.

It will involve jacking up the front end, and getting
under the engine to remove the starter.

I'm hoping some smart DUer will say something like,
replacing fuse six in the glove box will fix it.

Thanks for saying hello, Bertha

I'm excited for your upcoming Florida vacation and impressed with your
weight loss success.

[Bertha Venation]

3. Aw, Lou . . .

Thanks.

You reminded me of something my dad did long, long ago. I called him up and said I needed to get my oil changed, and he'd always promised to teach me, so how about now? He said come on over. When I got to his house he handed me a twenty and said "I don't even change my own oil anymore." A good memory.

(Holding fast, plateaued at 28 lbs . . . I'm in the doldrums. Something's gotta give soon! Thanks for your encouragement.&quot

[HopeHoops]

4. I've got the same van (LOVE IT) but I've never had a starter problem EXCEPT...

It will NOT turn over if the steering wheel is locked. Every once in a very great while you have to pull it counter-clockwise to unlock it and then it starts just fine. I discovered that a LONG time ago. It's rare, but try that first. Apparently it's a "feature" on many cars (not sure what it's good for), but I just solved the same problem for a guy with a stranded Honda yesterday.

Is yours the extended back version? If not, does it still seat 8?

[Ptah]

5. My Montana is not the extended version.

It will seat seven.
I'll try the steering wheel thing.
That has started me thinking it might be the ignition switch, which was replaced about six months ago.
The gradual loss of starting energy leads me to still believe the starter is the culprit.

[HopeHoops]

6. It could be, but I always go for the simplest (as in cheapest) options first.

The last starter I changed was about '81 on my '70 Maverick. It took 10 minutes each, and by "each" I mean I had to do it three times because the first two I got from the auto parts store were duds. How the FUCK can you screw up making a starter?!?!?!? They're just not that complicated.