Ut Oh. SVS and TRAC OFF (only) and intermittent no start condition

[Runaboveit]

This morning I jumped in the alero and went to start it. It started to and I hear a loud scrape sound like a bad starter and then it would quit trying all together once it made that sound. I tried it a few more times, same issue. While sitting there with the key in the on I saw just SVS and TRAC OFF on. (Also my airbag light, but that has always been on since I bought the car)

I tried again a few more times and got it to start.
Once started it was running completely fine, no lights on either (aside from the airbag, but like I said always on)

So I went down the street and got more gas (the tank got siphoned dry 2 days ago at my apartment).

I tried to start it to leave the gas station and same problem. Kept trying and got it to start. I drove about a mile to my apartments and it stalled pulling in to my complex, with the SVS and TRAC OFF lights illuminated.

I tried to start it a few times and same issues as before and then it started.

I'm thrown through a loop with this.... at first I thought shit gotta replace the starter. but nothing major. And then it stalled.... so now I don't know whats going on. Could it be something else besides the starter?

I noticed when I first got in the car to start it and when it made that loud noise I turned it off and the when I turned the key again to start none of my dash lights came on and no needles moved. And when starting it, the gas gauge goes down to zero and then back up. A couple times when I was trying to start it the gas gauge actually didn't read at all.

Any tips on where to go with this? I've never heard of just SVS and TRAC OFF by themselves.

Could it be a security issue? Once about 3 months ago I went to start it and it wouldnt and the security light came on and the radio display said locked or something. I disconected the battery for a few minutes and everything was fine afterwards.

[Runaboveit]

The battery is from June 07 so I'm going to swap it out with another I have in the garage. Maybe its shorting a plate or something and causing it to loose power when starting and that could possibly explain the stalling?

Going to see now. I really doubt it, because it can't be that simple. Bla.

[TdotAlero]

Might be an issue with a fuel pump, being totally separate from all those lights going off. But then again we need a specialist to elaborate on this problem.

[AndyT3]

Well, I recently got SVS, Trac Off, and Anti-Lock lights and got a loud noise whenever I turn right. Turns out I got a few codes for excessive wheel speed variations and wheel speed sensor short or open on the right front, which means bad right front hub.

That is completely unrelated to the no start issue, but just thought I'd give some insight to what the SVS and Trac lights MIGHT be.

[clutch1]

Hmmmm!

Check the PCM, BCM/interior, and engine bay grounds for looseness/ corrosion and such. This is a goofy problem, and goofy problems like this that seem inexplicable can be traced back to grounds sometimes.

That'd be my starting point advice.

[Nate's Alero]

sounds like that loud noise might have been the solenoid withdrawing and then popping back mid start, and grinding on the flywheel, check BCM/PCM and all grounds

[Runaboveit]

I went to change the battery but it seems the extra battery I had in my acclaim does not work when its hooked up to the side posts. Only gets power from the top posts. So I reconnected the original battery and went to turn the ignition on and lost all power when It went to start. I checked the connections and they were in the battery completely and tight so I disconnected and reconnected them again. Power was back, but same issue starting. Decided to go to pick up some fuel injector cleaner and for shits and giggles some lucas octane booster. Put 2 bottles of the injector cleaner and the bottle of octane booster in. Haven't had a problem yet. Seems to be starting fine. I've probably turned it off and on at least 12 times since.

Maybe it was from the tank getting sucked dry and putting in a gallon of gas to get it started swirled all the sediment around and it was screwing up the fuel pump/injectors?

I'll check all the wires and grounds later tonight when I go to the garage to put my new hood on. I might stop and get some new bolts for the battery cables as well.