Please help! (Intermittant No-Start)
 

So I've had my 1996 Bonneville SE for about a year now and it's been great. When I tried to start the car last night, however, it would not start. It powers up fine, all the lights work as do the windows, but it refuses to start. There is no sound when I try to start the car. I also tried another set of keys but it still does the same thing. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

If you turn the key to the run position does the security light turn off after several seconds? If the security light stays on try another key. You can also try starting it in neutral instead of park. Check the oil level just for the heck of it.

Thanks for the quick reply. Before reading your reply, a friend of mine came down to try to help. He put the key in the ignition and immediately started the car with no problem whatsoever. I had tried about 1-2 hours earlier with no luck. I tried starting the car again a few times after he was able to start it and it now starts with no problems. Anyone have any idea what's going on or what could have happened? Thanks again! Oh, and the only thing that I had done differently was that I washed the car yesterday. I started it fine 2 times after that just fine. It wasn't until a few hours later that it wouldn't start (last night).

I edited the thread subject to include the nature of the problem.

If the security light came on as Technical Ted indicated, then it is a VATS issue, meaning the car didn't sense the resistor pellet in your key was there. If this is the case, try cleaning the resistor contacts with rubbing alcohol. There are some ways people have suggested for cleaning the contacts inside the ignition tumbler, or you can bypass the VATS system altogether...try doing a search for VATS if this is your problem.

(edit) I found this thread; it might help some. http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...highlight=vats

You said that there was no sound when you tried to start the car. Did the starter motor start up and try to start the car, but it wouldn't? Or, was there just nothing at all?