2003 Vibe GT Intermittent No Crank Issue Solved
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2025 5:44 pm
Posting this here to help anyone who faces the same issue I did.
My 2003 GT bevan having a problem where it wouldn't crank the engine one out of every 4 or 5 times. I checked the battery and it showed good. I also cleaned the nasty battery terminals, but no change.
Thought it might be the clutch interlock switch because the pedal has always had to be at the floor for the engine to crank. I bypassed it with a shunt at the switch connector. No change.
I finally had the starter changed out but still the issue persisted. I then replaced the ignition switch but no relief. Since then I've had to roll start the car 40 or 50 times when the issue popped up, and it was getting old, like me.
I had even resorted to pulling a battery terminal for various periods of time and discovered that if it wouldn't crank, and if I disconnected the battery for 5 or 10 minutes, the car would usually crank. If it didn't, leaving the terminal off for 20-30 minutes would get the car to crank every time.
Did a little research and watched a youtube video or two and then ordered an ignition relay for $20 shipped from Rockauto. Pulled the driver vent piece and easily removed the old relay and replaced it with the new one.
SUCCESS!!!
It took less than five minutes and was the cheapest part I replaced and the car now starts every time.
If you have a similar issue don't forget to check the ignition relay. I could have saved myself a lot of money and a lot of hassle if I had checked it before replacing the starter.
My 2003 GT bevan having a problem where it wouldn't crank the engine one out of every 4 or 5 times. I checked the battery and it showed good. I also cleaned the nasty battery terminals, but no change.
Thought it might be the clutch interlock switch because the pedal has always had to be at the floor for the engine to crank. I bypassed it with a shunt at the switch connector. No change.
I finally had the starter changed out but still the issue persisted. I then replaced the ignition switch but no relief. Since then I've had to roll start the car 40 or 50 times when the issue popped up, and it was getting old, like me.
I had even resorted to pulling a battery terminal for various periods of time and discovered that if it wouldn't crank, and if I disconnected the battery for 5 or 10 minutes, the car would usually crank. If it didn't, leaving the terminal off for 20-30 minutes would get the car to crank every time.
Did a little research and watched a youtube video or two and then ordered an ignition relay for $20 shipped from Rockauto. Pulled the driver vent piece and easily removed the old relay and replaced it with the new one.
SUCCESS!!!
It took less than five minutes and was the cheapest part I replaced and the car now starts every time.
If you have a similar issue don't forget to check the ignition relay. I could have saved myself a lot of money and a lot of hassle if I had checked it before replacing the starter.