I bought a slightly wrecked (minor damage to front passenger headlight area, no frame damage) 2003 sxt yesterday . When we were getting ready to tow it to my house, we jumped it and it started right up. Then we disconnected the jumper cables and it immediately died. Repeat process once or twice, then it didn't start at all.

Removed alternator and had it tested, good.

Car simply won't crank. I checked every fuse and relay I could think of, I hotwired the starter and the engine turned over no problem, relay doesn't click when the key it put into the start position. There is power to the relay.


I'm guessing it's the clutch safety switch, any way I can bypass it to test? Any other ideas?

Thanks!

 

from first paragraph it sounds like the battery is done
when you hotwired the starter was it with the battery in the car?

according to the troubleshooting instructions when the pedal is depressed the circuit is closed
therefore a jumper between terminals would close the circuit

http://i54.tinypic.com/fmiaev.jpg

http://i51.tinypic.com/oshixv.jpg

 

Yes the battery was in the car, I just ran a little piece of wire from where the wire screws into the starter to the other wire and it cranked right over. (I had the ignition off, didn't want it starting with my arms stuck behind the intake.)

Edit: Brand new battery from Wal-Mart, lots and lots of juice.

 

should have juice at #24 when key is cranked Check for this and verify a good connection to ground.
#25 hot all time I think youve verified this already

 

Further testing this morning reveals that the fuel pump is not pressurizing in the "run" position and the clutch switch is not faulty.

Anyone have any ideas where I should look next? Every fuse is good in both fuse boxes.

 

The red security light stays on, am I out of luck until I can get it towed to a dealer or is there something else? Every other light goes out after a few seconds when turning the key to "On."

 

Generally, yes. If that light comes on and stays on, something is wrong that only a DRBIII tool can fix.