just thought of another thing, the park/neutral position switch is a common problem if it not making it wont start

Yeah that was in the back of my mind as well. Autozone and NAPA don't carry and can't order the relay .. looks like I'm taking the $46 hit from the dealer. I could order online but I don't feel like waiting.

Park / Neutral safety switch.. easy install?

never done one myself sorry. next time it wont start try fiddling with shift lever back and forth or put it in n see if that gets it started

http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-D1741C.../dp/B000C9Q19I
amazon is pretty good about getting things out if its stocked by amazon. better than 46

That'* a heck of a lot better than $46. I already picked it up. We'll see what I can figure out before I install it. At this point I'd rather have a reliable car than $40.

I gave them a quick rundown of the situation and they mentioned the only other thing they thought it could be besides the relay was the ignition switch. They said it'* common for the wires to come loose near where they connect to the actual switch and short on the metal, which may or may not throw a security light. This would prevent the remote start from completing the circuit as well. OK that seems reasonable especially since I have the remote started hooked into them, but I don't think it would be so stable during the day if it were a short.

I actually did try shifting in and out of park the first time it did it and start in neutral with no luck. The latest time I just shifted out of park and back in. Neither seemed to affect the situation.

From what I understand, the starter relay is mounted behind the dash above the gas pedal .. do I need to remove anything besides the panels around and beneath the steering column?

if thats were it is. theres a panel in the engine bay pass side above fan. it should be in the owners manual.

FSM says it'* behind the left side of the instrument panel above the fuse block. Looks like I get to take the IP/dash off. I think I have everything out besides one bolt in the bottom center which is blocked by the center console. I haven't found a good method for removing the pin securing the shift lever yet. My needle nose pliers hardly fit and slip off with any pull.

Do I need to shift out of park or hold the button in or anything to remove the pin? Any suggestions on a tool to do so?

ive never had to pull the dash to get to a relay or fuse panel before, are sure you cant get to it just pulling the bottom cover? sometimes you have to sit in the seat upside down to get your head in by the petals far enough to see.

Am I sure? No, but believe me, I tried for quite some time before I resorted to starting to pull the dash like the factory service manual said. I thought it sounded as unreasonable as you do. At this point I just need to get the shift lever off though and I think it'* ready to come off