I have a 2002 Pontiac montana. I changed the air filter and now it won't turn over. All I did when changing the air filter was disconnect the MAF. Could this have triggered the anti theft system. All the fuses are good. The starter relay is good. I turn the key to the on position and I have dash lights then short out the starter and it turns over but doesn't start. I don't think disconnecting then reconnecting the MAF would make the ignition switch go bad. Does anyone know what the problem might be.
Is a 'security' light or something of the sort on? If anti-theft did trigger the car should not turn over at all. Scan for codes and see what's up if it was running perfectly fine before. You just might have a compound problem so work your way through the easy stuff first before moving to anti-theft as each basic test should take ya less than 10 minutes, like checking the wiring to the MAF, any pin out bent? How is the battery looking when cranking? Do lights flicker? Does the car make a sucking noise? Too much air not enough fuel, have you put the old filter back just to see? If everything fails, THEN check anti-theft. Relearn procedure first as that would be the cheapest. If not then it's ignition and barrel. Do some reasearch and Good luck.
Ok Thanks for the advice.
It doesn't crank over when I turn the key to start. It only cranks over when I short the starter out with a screwdriver but it doesn't start.