Merry Christmas! My car won't start!- Update: Fixed...
 

Here's the background info: About 3 weeks ago I had a remote start installed. Other than that, and re-attaching the engine cover, nothing was done under the hood or electronically recently. Did a CAI over a month ago, but I think that's a non-issue. On monday night I was coming home, and I was about a mile from my house, and all of a sudden the interior lights got real dim, and my engine died, then a second later, the lights lit back up and the pedal was responsive. I was worried, so my dad checked under the hood (mainly battery connections) and didn't see anything wrong. On the way to school the next morning, it did the same thing within 2 miles, but then I got to the gas station, but in some gas, and didn't have this problem again. Until tonight. My car did the same stalling thing twice on the way home. I put it in the driveway around two, and went to take it back outa t 8 or 9. I hit the start on the remote to warm it up, saw it start, then 4 minutes later when I came back out, it wasn't running. Then it started up, died, started up died, then wouldnt turn over. I tried to crank it with the key but it made a hideous grinding sound so I stopped and took my parents car. I am going to look at it in the morning, any ideas of things I can check with ym limited knowledge of automobiles? Thanks.

Are you sure it’s not out of gas? Maybe the gas gauge is no longer accurate. I'm just asking because the problem went away for a few days after you added gas.

How old is your battery? Can you swap batteries & see if the problem goes away?

The alternator could also be bad. If the car starts after switching batteries get the alt checked.

Sully.. I'm interested in the hideous grinding noise... and the power loss situations.

To start, check the oil and coolant levels.
Then pull the battery cables off at the battery, check for corrosion. Actually pull them off.

Let us know if you find anything.

To install the remote starter, you have to bypass the VATS system.

I'm thinking there's an intermittent fault somewhere. I also agree with the gas gauge thought, and would definitely check the fuel filter for blockage as well.

Sounds like the starter is dying, too. Correlation is not necessarily causation, but, it's suspicious that this happened immediately after the remote starter installation.

Keep us informed.

Checked the oil, coolant, and put fresh gas in. Took about 4 times and I finally got it to turn over, then it died after 30 seconds. Couldn't get it back up. Calling where I got my remote installed to find out some info.

Doesn't sound like a VATS issue or remote start if it actually started. VATS won't kill a running car. You have other issues IMO.

Provided you've cleaner the battery cables first, I'd check the fuel filter next. Only takes about 10 minutes, and is a frequent culprit.

Located under passenger rear door inside the frame. About $15. Worth a look

Good point, Bob. And perhaps check your fuel pressure too.

Are you saying the engine started & ran for 30 seconds or the starter was working for
30 seconds?

I'm skipping the remote all together now. Using the key, I just went out and started it, but I have to give it gas to get it going. Got it to run for a minute or two, then it quit out on me. Subsequent tries to get it running using the same method resulted in shorter run times each try. Talked to the guy at the remote start place and he said he didn't think it was the remote, but I could have it towed there and they could look at it. I don't think it's even the starter at this point, so I will probably have my regular mechanic take it in after the holiday. My dad thinks my rice pipe is to blame and I am going to put the stock airbox back on tomorrow, even though that's been on for a couple months and gave me no problems before. Keep in mind I am very useless with cars, so a lot of the stuff you guys are reccomending is going over my head. Thanks for the help so far though.