Cold/Ice no start- Now I need help

[Drew L]

I've received alot of info from you guys so now I need some help.
I parked my GN outside for the last three days so that I could tile my gararge floor black and white checkered flag style (sweet). We got some rain then it turned cold. Go to take the car this evening to work and it wouldn't start. Dash lights light up but no clicking , nothing. I do have a Chapman alarm system on it. You know, you push a tumbler in to lock the hood and disarm the starting circut. To unlock it you use a key similar to ones used on Coke machines. When the Chapman system is armed and you try to start it , it does the same thing, no clicking of a soleniod or anything. Sooooooooo, can you guys give me links to flow charts for no start situations or any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I guess I could wait 'till spring keeping miles off it! Thank you for any help. Drew

 

[Dan Thompson]

Can you take the alarm out of the system to check the GN's starting system?

 

[salvageV6]

If the battery is fully charged, obviously check that first, then you might try rapping on the starter with a small hammer or large wrench and then trying to start it.

Could be the solenoid.

Could also be the alarm, I would verify it is disabled... the alarm that is, not the starter circuit.

 

[Drew L]

Thanks for the tips. It seems as though I do need to start there(alarm) and rule that out only because it is doing what it is supposed to without arming it. I did a search and got some tips on another similar problem. I'll do the basics first as you have suggested, test light to the solenoid and such. I'll let you know what I find. If there is an upside to this is it is a definitive electrical problem and should , SHOULD, be faily easy to locate. Not one of those intermitent ones that can drive you crazy. Thank you for the response. Drew

 

[Drew L]

OH BOY!!!!!! Well, what I was afraid that was going to happen did. It warmed up today and the car turned over and started without me being able to attempt to diagnose it. I lost my chance last evening as I didn't have time to play with it. That gives me alot of confidence in taking it somewhere when it's cold out huh! The only thing different was a half day in the rain then below freezing temps. This is a gararged car (except when tiling my gararge floor!!!!!!!!!!) Drew

 

[salvageV6]

I'd start off by cleaning wiggling all the alarm connectors, may just be an intermittant.

I'd also carry that small hammer on the back seat floor just in case.

When my solenoid went I got stuck for an hour 2 days in a row in the same freakin' parking spot at the post office. unreal....

Only an hour though, after the place closed up I hammered the cooler starter solenoid and the car started right up.

 

[Drew L]

One of the searches I did do was the ssensor position. What I do have on the drivers side inside fender is four relays not three so one is the alarm relay. The purple wire is from the fire wall is cut into for this alarm addition. It as we know is sitting under where water could get in so the next time this happens (leaving it outside an all) in cold weather I'll jump in there as one suggested. I do certainly appreciate the responses. I'm going to post a thread soon about all of the positive information I have used from this forum. With a mostly stock car it is all very accurate and exceptionally helpfull. I will also keep the small hammer with me that came from my wifes "Do-It-Herself" tool kit. Yes that is the actual name of it. Thanks again. GO PATRIOTS! Drew