hey guys, just had a bit of an issue with the car. as the title states, its a 3.5 auto and it wont start. originally i thought the battery was flat, so i jumped it to no success. then i swapped the battery with a good one from a 3lt. yet, i get the same results. all of the electrics (lights, stereo, middle fuel meter thing) still work, so i checked both the engine bay fuses and those just under the drivers side dash. they all seem fine. so my question is this, does anyone know what might be wrong with it?? and how easily fixed is it? many thanks for your help!! :)

Does the engine crank or is it all dead in so far as when you turn the key you get no crank at all

have you tried it in N also, sounds like could be the inhibitor switch

demobillize it, put the key in and turn. then nothing, there is a faint noise that sounds like it could be an electronic pump when it gets to the on stage?? the engine itself doesnt do anything. ive also tryed in N, and tried flicking through the gears just incase this was the cause. the engine is behaving like it would if it didnt have a battery in it. :S what would the inhibitor switch do??

Inhibitor switch tells the ECU what gear you are in, so if you are in 1,2,3,4 or R it wont let you start the car.
You may of also done a starter motor, although these gradually get worse with time and don't usually just STOP, any more symptons beforehand of this happening?
When your starter motor goes it can sound like your battery is going dead.

Also check to see if you get a signal down at the starter motor (black/yellow trace wire?!?!?)

thanks guys, will have to have a looksie next time i get a chance :)

I agree with TUFFTR and Madmagna, either a starter motor or inhibitor switch. Try looking for both and let us know the results.

I dunno but this happened to me, it could be the key is not assigned to your car. If the key isn't coded to your car it doesn't allow the fuel pump to start.