Tired of getting stranded
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Mesa Az
Tired of getting stranded
I have an '86 Coupe that is driving me insane! I first thought it to be a VATS problem. The car intermittently decides not to turn over. Here's the weird part. If I pump the clutch all the way to the floor, sometimes it will turn over. The VATS has been bypassed (by yours truly) Here's another weird part of this. If it happens at home I will put the charger on the battery for 5 or ten minutes and it will start. The battery is not dropping in voltage btw. I also adjusted the ingintion switch on the steering column to engage deeper...No change!! HELP!! Thank God that its a manual!!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
From: Asheboro NC
yours could be a heat soak problem with the starter. people have cured this by going to mini starter. pumping the clutch is another variable that could be an unrelated issue with a sticky clutch safety switch. lube the switch. add another heat shield next to the starter for a time then try a mini starter. charging up the battery could be just giving the starter enough of a kick to turn over. check for naked wires around the battery or coolant sensor and the crank shaft position sensor. hopefully it is simple fix.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
When the car does not start, you need to trace the problem back to see where the problem is. If you have an FSM, the circuit for this is all laid out, but from memory, I think you should check for power at the starter, if no power there, check the clutch switch, if no power there, check the starter enable relay, if no power there, I am not sure where to check next, but the FSM will tell you.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Jump the clutch safety switch. The CSS is the last switch in the VATS circuit before the wire goes through the firewall to the starter solenoid. Charging the battery has nothing to do with the switch except it gives the switch time to make connection.
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