electrical and ignition Car Won't Start, Turn Over, Until 3Rd Turn Of The Key

[Andrew Havens]

Previously, my 1974 2002 had been starting fine (after a few steps on the gas pedal in the morning). Well, today, I turned the key and nothing happened (no clicks, no turning). Turned the key again. Nothing happened. Tried a third time and it started right up. Same thing happened in the afternoon as well, only I tried stepping on the gas while turning the key to see if that made a difference (I'm not sure if it did or not).

 

It's weird that nothing happened, the first few times, as if my battery was dead. What could be causing this? I'm guessing that it's only going to get worse.

Edited April 23, 2014 by andrewhavens

[Buckeye]

Check battery connections and wires/cable connections to the starter.

[Andrew Havens]

Battery terminals are clean, and connections are secure. I listened a little more closely this time and it sounds like there is a single "click" sound when I turn the key. Again, I stepped on the gas pedal while the key was turned and it started, but it might still be a coincidence.

[schoir]

Stepping on the gas pedal has no connection to how the starter turns the flywheel to start the engine.

 

Since all your connections are clean and secure, it sounds like your battery is on its way out.  The best way to determine if that is the case is to do a load test on the battery (not just a voltage test).

 

That single click is the relay inside the starter when juice is applied.  It sounds like your battery can muster just enough power to turn it over after a few seconds of power to the starter.

 

Regards, Maurice.

[Mike Self]

Next time you do a cold start, bypass the ign switch entirely.  Turn the key to the on position, then activate the starter motor with a jumper wire from the battery to the solenoid terminal.  If the starter now engages on the first try, I'd suspect the electrical portion of the ignition switch--it's a separate part from the key lock, and can be replaced.  They do wear out.

 

cheers

mike

[FunkyLaneO]

like Buckeye said, check all of your connections, especially grounds.  If that doesn't remedy the situation then get out your test light ans start tracing all your connections. 

 

Some things it could be:

Bad starter

bad ignition switch

bad ground

bad battery cable

loose connection in a few different places

if you have ever had an alarm installed with a starter kill, that goes through a relay, could be a bad relay or connection there.

 

get out your wiring diagram and trace out the circuit, test at every wire junction and see if you can narrow down where the fault lies. (it is a pretty simple circuit so should be really easy to test)

 

edit- sorry I started this reply earlier, got sidetracked, and never hit send so it may seem out of sequence.

Edited April 23, 2014 by FunkyLaneO

[esty]

Next time you do a cold start, bypass the ign switch entirely.  Turn the key to the on position, then activate the starter motor with a jumper wire from the battery to the solenoid terminal.  If the starter now engages on the first try, I'd suspect the electrical portion of the ignition switch--it's a separate part from the key lock, and can be replaced.  They do wear out.

 

cheers

mike

easier still...use your diagnostic plug and a piece of wire to turn the engine....or turn the key on (be sure it's not in gear) then use the diagnostic plug to see if the engine starts