1998 buick riviera wont crank . starter is good battery is good and anti theft relay is also good. no power to the stater when the key is on the crank position.. need help please

sec life ?????? SECURITY LIGHT ? anti-theft system problem . The Pass-Key II® Theft Deterrent system prevents vehicle theft by disabling the starter motor and fuel system. If the Body Control Module (BCM) dose not identify the use of the correct ignition key to start the vehicle, the (BCM) will communicate a message to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) which will disable the crank relay and fuel delivery to the engine.
When the (BCM) identifies the use of the correct ignition key (resistor pellet) to start the vehicle, the (BCM) will send a fuel enable and starter enable message to the (PCM) which will allow the vehicle to start.

How to bypass GM VATS system GM no crank no star

What year ? For the 2004 model year, the Windstar was renamed the Ford Freestar. Anti-theft light lit on instrument cluster ? Battery good ! How about the battery cables ? Voltage drop test the starting system . Videos on you tube Starter Voltage Drop
Starter System The starting system cranks the engine at a speed fast enough to permit the engine to start.

• Heavy cables, connectors and switches are used because of the large current required by the starter motor (11002) while it cranks the engine.
• The amount of resistance in the starting circuit must be kept to a minimum to provide maximum current for starter motor operation.
• A discharged or damaged battery (10655), loose or corroded connections or partially broken cables will cause slower than normal cranking speeds and may prevent the starter motor from cranking the engine.

The starting system includes:

• the permanent magnet gear-reduction starter motor with a solenoid-actuated drive.
• the battery.
• a starter switch (part of the ignition switch (11572)).
• the transmission range (TR) sensor.
• The TR sensor in the starter control circuit prevents operation of the starter motor unless the selector lever is in NEUTRAL or PARK.
• Starter Relay-Interrupt The starter relay (14N089) interrupt-consists of:
  • pull-in coil and
  • contacts.
  When the ignition switch is in the START position:
  • Current passes through the starterrelay-interrupt from the engine compartment power distribution box to the starter solenoid (11390) .
  • Anti-theft controller module activates relay-interrupt.
  • Pull-in coil in the starter relay-interrupt is activated and pulls the contacts apart.
  The starter relay-interrupt is deactivated when the ignition switch is in the RUN or OFF position.
  

Did you check power an grounds using voltage drop testing , did you check battery voltage an computer control at the starter motor relay in the under hood fuse / relay box ? Instead of guessing you need to learn how to use a DVOM - digital volt ohm meter an test ! The powertrain control module controls the starter motor operation ! Starter Voltage Drop VEHICLE RELAYS Operation Diagnosis ,If you pull the relay an jump pin's 30 & 87 the starter should crank ,test the circuit starter motor side ! Pins 85 & 86 are the control side ., Pin 85 or 86 forget which one has battery voltage with the key on . The one with out voltage is control from the engine computer ! Also if the anti theft system is active it wont start !

Yea , what kind of vehicle ? battery in good condition ? Battery cables Good ? Does you vehicle have a anti-theft system ? Security light lit on dash ? No crank ? starter relay ?

Hey Jon do you have a security light lit on the dash ? There is a starter enable relay that is energized by the pass key decoder module - anti-theft system ! There are more relays under the dash right side, I/P relay center ! My service info shows relays at the back center of engine compartment , these are cooling fan relays -two , A/C compressor relay , maxi fuse relay center an blower motor relay .

Hey Todd how's it going ? How's the battery ? battery connections ? Are there any lights lit on the dash , security , check engine ? Because your getting a clicking there is nothing wrong with the theft deterrent relay ! Take a volt meter on the 20 volt scale an put negative lead at the negative battery post , then take your positive lead an put it on s terminal small wire on the starter solenoid an have someone turn the key to start position , you should see battery voltage . If you see battery voltage there is nothing wrong with the theft deterrent relay ! or the crank circuit. You need to do a voltage drop test on the starting system ! I'm thinking possible battery cable ! Starter Voltage Drop . you do know that you replaced a starter for no good reason !

Check your fuel pressure. When you turn the key to the accessorie point you should hear the fuel pump pressurize the system. If you can't hear it that could be your problem. If you can hear it I would then check the fuel relay..usually not far from the gas tank.

turn on head lights have some one try and start car if the lights do not go dim then the starter is not drawing any power take starter out replace or rebuild can take starer out and hook to the battery its a 98 should have put 3 or 4 starter in by now I have

Ign. cylinder anti-theft wires broken. Replace cylinder.

make sure you have power getting to your starter when you crank. check the small nut on the starter. should have 12 v or very close to it. this will tell you if your getting power to the starter or if somethign before the starter and something maybe with your anti theft system or not. its hard to say online cause of that anti theft. doest the light flash at all? the anti theft light?

if your getting power to the starter when you crank make sure your getting good power to the starter by turning on the head lights and see if they dim. a good starter will cause the headlites to dim when attempting to start. if nothing dims check connections. or assume bad starter motor. make sure your also getting power to the main starter stud as well.

good luck
michael