Car will not start, starter does not engage at all.

[andrewro]

The car isn't starting, no action from the starter. Who can tell me how to tell whether it is the starter, the solenoid, or the dash switch? The switch seems to hang a little when I turn it so I am somewhat suspicious of it. Everything else works when I turn the key though, the gauges pop to attention and so forth so I am guessing its not the switch. I did look around for a loose wire both under the dash and under the hood and I didn't find anything.

I tapped on the starter but it did not help ;-/

Thanks folks!

Andrew

[robspeed]

using a screwdriver short out the main starter lug to the trigger lug on the solenoid. should turn over then.

[andrewro]

I don't totally understand what that will do for me. Does it show whether the solenoid is still good? It surely won't get me going down the road again, I'd need an assistant or a remote starter to start the car, wouldn't I?

[BillWilliams]

with a female connector that plugs onto the starter. Make sure it is on, on tight, and on the correct lug. Sorry I can not tell you which lug, I use an e-30 starter and forget which lug it is on a stock starter.

[andrewro]

I checked the wires but I will check them again tomorow evening. I had just driven the car with several stops and starts a couple of hourse before with no trouble. I am operating this car at a rate of one failure per week right now and it is frustrating. Makes me want an 80s civic or toyota pickup.

[BillWilliams]

and you will know it inside out, every tick and every tack.

You have done a great job so far, it will continue to get better.

[robspeed]

I don't totally understand what that will do for me. Does it show whether the solenoid is still good? It surely won't get me going down the road again, I'd need an assistant or a remote starter to start the car, wouldn't I?

hehe, yes this will merely verify the starter itself (solenoid) is OK, and not your wiring. best place to start. a bump switch is a good thing to have in one's toolkit.... (yet i dont own one either..)

[andrewro]

Okay Rob, that clarifies things. Bill, however, wins the prize. I checked this morning and the wire from the harness that instigates everything had slipped off the spade terminal when I was fooling around earlier trying to isolate a knock in the steering.

I'll start a thread on the knock in the steering once I gather more info.

Thanks!!

Andrew

[Mike Self]

1. Make sure the battery ground strap that fastens to the engine block is tight and clean at both ends...when you've confirmed this...

2. use a screwdriver to bridge the small "trigger" wire on the starter solenoid with the big wire that runs from the battery. If the starter now works, you'll know the starter itself is OK. If it is...

3. Get under the dashboard and with a voltmeter, find the wire on the ign switch that's hot all the time, then the one that's hot only when the key is on. If these wires are both hot, you know the wiring to the switch is good....

4. Use either of these to connect a jumper wire to the "start" wire on the ignition switch. If the starter works, you know it's not the wiring. If there's no action here, perhaps the switch is bad (the plastic part that the wires hook to, not the lock cylinder itself--they are two separate parts).

My guess if you get to #4: the ign switch itself has either worn out or come loose from the lock cylinder assy (two small screws). That could cause the slight hitch you describe, and turning the key may not be turning the switch and the sudden failure. Does the key actually go to the start position? If not, it's a broken piece inside the lock itself (this happened to me last winter, described in a recent column).

Let us know what you find...

cheers

mike

[andrewro]

Thanks Mike, it's working now, just a loose wire! Good news for sure!!