Sat night I had a slow crank (and dim lights). The cranking slowed and it would not crank anymore. I jump started it for 10+ min., still no crank. Im thinking, maybe I shorted the starter or something. I had it towed to Pepboys as I know they are open Sunday and figured they could handle a battery & starter job. Well to put things in a nutshell, Pepboys still has the car and they are befuddled it seems. <this has me concerned> They only tell me the battery is new and the starter is not getting power. Oh, the security light is not coming on so I don't think it'* VATS related. Did I fry the ECM when jumping it that night? Are there any fuses I should direct them to? Any other ideas?

explain what you mean by "jump started it for 10+ minutes"

The ECM isn't really part of the starter control system. Other possibilities are the PNRDL switch, starter enable relay, and starter solenoid. I know that on older tractors, a failing starter can feel and sound like a failing battery, but then they said the starter is not getting power, so i dunno

make sure that pepboys gives u a print out on EVERYTHING they do cant trust them to work on cars for some reason here hope its better there

To clear things up, I had a dead battery saturday. I got a jump start (jumper cables) from another car and let it charge for like 10 minutes.

Pepboys just called, they said they can jump the car direct from the battery and the car will stay running. Hence they don't think it'* the ECM, but they think it is in the VATS or other ignition switch. They asked that I tow it to the nearest dealer as they do not want to go any further with it. Understandable I guess...at least they are not charging me (outside of the battery install). I just told him I was upset I had to pay money for it to be towed there for nothing, and I want the mechanic to "jump start" it so I can drive it over without paying another towl!!!! He said he would call me back when the mechanic got a chance to tow it... we'll see...

After cranking the bat until it was dead like you said, you coulda f'd up your positive battery cabe, and maybe caused a dead short in it or something?

If you can hear the fuel pump prime upon turning the key ON then I doubt that the VATS is to blame. Is the Security light on solid? I like some of the ideas already mentioned above: try starting in neutral (or any other position. NOTE: make sure parking brake is set and nothing is in front or behind you if you attempt to start in any other position than park) and check the crank wire (purple) wire to the starter motor.

OK I went to Pepboys today after they called me explaining that they are unable to fix it. Good news is they put a battery in it and looked at it at no charge! This makes up for having to pay a tow to the Pontiac dealership. Anyway I found that the security light is blinking upon turning the key and when the "jumped" the starter it only ran for 3 sec before shutting off. Sounds like VATS to me, correct?

BTW, I WILL NOT GO TO PEP BOYS AGAIN FOR MAJOR REPAIRS, I WILL PAY THE EXTRA $$ FOR QUALIFIED WORK! BONNIE IS WORTH IT!

If you think it'* VATS, try your spare key, or thoroghly clean your key and the contacts in your switch. Qtip and rubbing alcohol.

The dealer fixed this within hours...they said the ignition switch harness had a failed wire. I asked them to repair it, and they said it was not possible - they had to replace that and 2 new keys - I said OK and within hours I paid $339 and was done. I am also done with pepboys - at least for anything more than brakes/ tires. Thanks for all the help.

339...ouch