H2 2003 Starting Problems

[scaleste]

I am having difficulty starting my H2 2003
Key turns between accessory position and start, but otherwise will not rotate back to the position for the key to be removed. There is absolutely no reaction whatsoever moving the key to the start position. The gear shift (automatic) is locked and the release button on the side is locked in the out position.

The instrument panel is completely off and there are other items such as the widows, and radio that do not work. The Battery is good and lights (headlight & interior lights), and remote door locks work.

Now what did I do between the time it was running and now? I washed it yesterday after a trip to the desert. I washed the dust off the engine as well with a light spray with the engine off. I also found a small wire bundle handing under the dash on the driver?s side. They split to two smaller wire bundles and plugged into two small boxes (aprox. 1? square) attached to the edge of the dash just above the driver?s feet. I disconnected these two to reroute the wire so they would not hang being careful to plug them exactly as before.

It seems some sort of intentional lockout. Could be wrong, but with the key locked, and the gear locked in park, I am anticipating difficulty getting to the shop. Any advice will be most appreciated.

[mikejr]

are you sure your battery is good. Sometimes batteries will power lights and accessories but wont have enough power to crank the engine. Just a thought.

[scaleste]

Assumption my part, but after your meessage I went out and put the charger on. On the way I hit the horn button the remote and yes the horn works also. Just the same, I connected the charger and to my surprise, it charger indicates the batter is low. I don't think it is too low as the lights don't seem to be off a bit when I turned them on. I think it is possible the batter is a little low because the key has been in the ignition in what would be the run position for about 4 hours. I disconnected the batter so it would get a clean charge and will give it another try when the charge is finished. Thanks for the hint, and I will get back to you after the charge is complete.
Tom

[mikejr]

sometimes you just need a new set of eyes on the problem. I just hope its a weak battery and nothing more serious.

My wifes Trailblazer did the very same thing, lights and everything worked but it wouldnt start. Threw a new battery in it and started right up.

[scaleste]

For a moment I was hopeful for the easy solution, but hopes faded with the short time to took to get the battery to full charge. It was a good opportunity to clean the terminals, but no improvement. Thanks for the suggestion. It seems odd that among the symptoms the instrument panel is completely dead and the key won?t rotate back to the release position.

[mikejr]

i dont know about the 2003's but some of the older GM steering columns would "jam" if the wheel was turned and the key was locked. Did you try turning the steering wheel a little bit to move the key.

Also, it concerns me that the battery charged that quickly. Normally they dont reach full charge in such a short time.

Maybe some of the other members on here may have experienced this.

[scaleste]

For grins, I rolled my other car in the driveway and connected the jumper cables. No improvement. The wheel turns freely as the key is not in the locked position and turns freely. If it were not for the lights, horns, door locks and even the garage door opener working, it has all the appearance of a completely dead or disconnected battery. Looking at the instrument panel completely dead and absolutely no indication at all truning the key it seems that there is a lock out of some sort or the mother of all bad connections.

Glad the problem showed up now as we were going camping in the desert next weekend. We typically go deep desert so any mechanical problems is a bugger to resolve. You ought see a Hummer going down a 50 ft sand dune slip face. A real heart stopper.