Oh, and to put it another way: If you _do_ hear a click under the hood, then VATS _is_ allowing you to start the car, the solenoid is closing, but the starter motor itself is apparently not doing anything. (i.e. bad starter)

No click - that is why I was reasonably sure it was not the starter.

The security light was blinking.

The car started 3 times by me after it was dropped at the dealership. Before anything was done - the move had somehow overcome the failure of the starter to turn. But after the service salesman inspected the battery cable connections and shaved some insulating material from the negative cable at the battery end, the car started and then ran roughly. They worked on it yesterday and said all connections were OK. They tried to start this AM - nothing and then tested the starter , and assure me it was the starter and it was drawing more amps than the battery could supply. He guarantees me that the starter was is the problem.

Me- I'll believe it when I have it start up in the manner to which I have been accustomed since May 1993.

Agreed...

Okay, so nothing had triggered VATS. I'd have thunk that maybe the Park/Neutral Starter Interlock was a little wonky at this point.

Okaaayyy...

Indeed. I hope the nature of his "guarantee" is that they'll have another go at it at no charge, in case their replacement of the starter turns out to be incorrect.

(Gee, aren't I the pessimist these days... )

Picked up the car today. Started at dealership this AM by service salesman and did so very well.
Started beautifully when I picked it up mid-day. Several subsequent starts - immediate and vigorous response.

Unless something new develops, and I will let this site know, it appears this was an internal problem in the starter - and NO CLUNK!

Thanks all for opinions and advice.

Great site.

The car has been starting well since the new starter installed Sept 10. It seems to crank much faster than ever before - but fires up immediately. Incidentally the starter was half the price of the one installed in 2000. Dealer said some modification has been made in the starters. Anyone know about that?