no start

[98SF19]

Got a no start about a few hours ago. No crank, nothing. Battery and alternator are both about a year old. Engine off DC seems fine (accessories/lights power up fine). I found these:

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=101304&highlight=ignition+relay
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=99799&highlight=ignition+relay

What should I check first? I haven't had time to do much yet, but I'll check starter relay and any fuses (which fuses?) when I get home tonight. Lucky for me, wife had her car nearby when it happened and this was a few minutes walk from our house, which is where the car is right now.

I just hope that whatever electrical problem that may be preventing my compressor from working hasn't manifested itself in the ignition system.

Thanks

 

[rubydist]

either give a little tap to the solenoid on the starter, or jump the two large terminals with a large screwdriver or similar. solenoid failure happens all to often on these...

 

[98SF19]

weirdness with the PATS

I wrote my update below before getting your response, which is confirmed here:
http://shopower.forumchitchat.com/post?id=613046
I'll give the solenoid a tap tomorrow and see if that does it. Thanks!



Went back to the car tonight and it started! When I got it home, I checked the relays under the hood. Nothing looked burnt out. Also, there is no CEL. Before relays go out for good, is there often a period of hit-and-miss, or do they just die cold turkey without any symptoms?

Something else that might be helpful to know: when it initially wouldn't start earlier, I had popped the hood and had just depressed the lever to open it when the car alarm went off. Is that normal PATS operation, even the hood opening? After I came home a little while ago, I had locked the car with the fob, as I normally do. An hour or so later, I hear a car alarm go off, not sure if it was mine or not. It stopped after about 5 seconds. So I go out and notice that if I use the fob to lock the car, the red flashing "Theft" light stays dimly lit and only brightens when it would normally flash. But if I open the car and push the door lock down, then close it, the theft light flashes normally, being off between flashes. When I came out to see if any neighbors had heard if it was my car or another, the theft light was flashing normally, but I had used the fob to lock it. Could this be related to my no start earlier? If this is all PATS related, wouldn't there be a code?

Thanks