Electrical issue
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2
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From: So Cal
Electrical issue
Luck would have it, car started fine until I removed and replaced battery cables after repairs. Now turn key to start and nothing. Not even a click. Jumped across the starter and it cranks. What could be the issue. Driving me nuts.
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Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Hickory NC
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Welcome to the Forum!
Sorry about the problem. As you said, "as luck would have it."
You mentioned new cables; was this part of a battery installation, too?
Several initial thoughts, and I am sure others will have even better ideas. It starts when you jump across the starter. Have you tried just jumping across the battery? (This would ensure the battery is not the issue. I installed a new battery once that ended up with a couple of bad cells.). You probably already have, but if not, double check the connections of the new cables - especially going to ground.
If you have a digital multimeter/voltmeter you could connect the red lead to the positive battery post. While someone else is turning the ignition key to "start", watch the meter. The reading should be "0".
Then try connecting the meter's black lead to the negative battery post, and again have the ignition key turned to "start". This reading should also be "0". If the test on the positive side shows a draw of more than "0.5" volts, or if the test on the negative side shows a draw of more than "0.3" volts there is an issue with the cables.
.NOTE: You will have to use a digital meter; an older style traditional multimeter will not be precise enough to measure this draw.
If you don't have a multimeter and you still had the old cables and they worked, you could try reconnecting them to see if you can start the car in the normal manner.
I'm sure there are many other possibilities - these are just the first few I would explore.
Best wishes for a quick and simple fix.
Sorry about the problem. As you said, "as luck would have it."
You mentioned new cables; was this part of a battery installation, too?
Several initial thoughts, and I am sure others will have even better ideas. It starts when you jump across the starter. Have you tried just jumping across the battery? (This would ensure the battery is not the issue. I installed a new battery once that ended up with a couple of bad cells.). You probably already have, but if not, double check the connections of the new cables - especially going to ground.
If you have a digital multimeter/voltmeter you could connect the red lead to the positive battery post. While someone else is turning the ignition key to "start", watch the meter. The reading should be "0".
Then try connecting the meter's black lead to the negative battery post, and again have the ignition key turned to "start". This reading should also be "0". If the test on the positive side shows a draw of more than "0.5" volts, or if the test on the negative side shows a draw of more than "0.3" volts there is an issue with the cables.
.NOTE: You will have to use a digital meter; an older style traditional multimeter will not be precise enough to measure this draw.
If you don't have a multimeter and you still had the old cables and they worked, you could try reconnecting them to see if you can start the car in the normal manner.
I'm sure there are many other possibilities - these are just the first few I would explore.
Best wishes for a quick and simple fix.
