i need help, bought a 98 Grand Am GT from a friend, got it cheap so if i can't find the fix i didn't lose out, but anyway the last time he had it running it ran fine, then turned it off, went to go refire and he said it cranked but sounded like it was locking up, i haven't tried to start it since till i can find what the problem is or get an idea, any thoughts????? Before i spend money one the wrong parts

Ask your friend what happened the last time he drove it that might give an indication as to what the problem is. If you think the engine might be seized, disconnect the battery, remove the wire harness from the ICM, and use a wrench on the crankshaft pulley bolt to try to turn the engine over. If it won't turn over remove all the spark plugs and try to turn it over again.

Your friend'* description of the symptoms does not make sense. If the engine is locked up (seized) it won't crank (turn over). If it cranks, it'* not locked up. On the other hand, if the motor is seized trying to start it could cause a lot more damage. that is why I suggest you try turning it over by hand.

What tools do you have access to, and what level of mechanical knowledge do you have for working on cars?

i have every tool u can think of and i know most of GM and Dodge, but when my friend said he cranked it over and it sounded like it was locked up, i meant as he was cranking it over out of no where the whole motor stopped cranking over like it was locked up and he said u heard a thud also like it was locking up on him

Just heard back from my friend and his exact word were it clicked and the belts moved about 16th of and inch while he was cranking it over and that was it, i will try moving the crankshaft bolt and see if it moves this weekend, and he drove it few days before this problem and it ran smooth

I was say try the hand cranking as mentioned then do a compression or leak down test

......bought a yellow 88 IROC-Z convertible Camaro from a good friend a few years back for $1,000......starter would not spin the engine....serpentine belt would move a fraction of an inch every time the ignition key was turned.....I had the car towed to my house.....within 20 minutes, I found the problem was that the alternator bearings had seized up (single serpentine belt) preventing the (old) starter from spinning the engine.

.....called up my buddy, told him what was up with the engine.....ended up giving the car back to him for the same $1,000.