Problem With Car Srarting
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 0
From: Miami Fl
Problem With Car Srarting
Need Help!!!!
I Have Had A Problem With One Of My Cars For Some Time Now. Sometimes It Starts And Sometimes It Doesn't.
I Have Changed The Column Lock, The Ignition Switch, Just Bought That New Relay That Goes In Line Between The Ignition Switch And The Column Lock And Even Checked The Starter.
And It Still Does It When Ever It Wants. Has Anyone Ever Experienced This Problem?
Any Help Would Be Appreciated. Thanks.
I Have Had A Problem With One Of My Cars For Some Time Now. Sometimes It Starts And Sometimes It Doesn't.
I Have Changed The Column Lock, The Ignition Switch, Just Bought That New Relay That Goes In Line Between The Ignition Switch And The Column Lock And Even Checked The Starter.
And It Still Does It When Ever It Wants. Has Anyone Ever Experienced This Problem?
Any Help Would Be Appreciated. Thanks.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 7
From: Bucks County Pa
Starting Problem
Hi, I had a problem like that once on a toyota. Turned out to be the neutral safety switch. It can be an intermittent problem. If you checked all the cables to the battery, starter, fuse block, engine ground, and alt, for tightness, and cleanliness, and you have verified that the battery is good, by load testing. I would look at the neutral safety switch on the tranny next. It is a simple job, and not a very expensive part.
Good Luck
Good Luck
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 7
From: Bucks County Pa
Car doesn't start
Hi, I think I have to take a step back and ask the obvious. Have you load tested the battery?. Even if it is not very old it could still be going bad.
And I see you've replaced a bunch of parts, but have you thoroughly looked at the cables, both pos and neg at the battery, fuse block, and starter, and the alt wire connections for cleanliness and tightness, not able to wiggle at all? You say you checked the starter, did you check the solenoid. When you get in a no start situation test the solenoid by jumping it, very carefully. If it starts the solenoid is bad. I know these things are the obvious, but you can't take them for granted.
Good Luck
And I see you've replaced a bunch of parts, but have you thoroughly looked at the cables, both pos and neg at the battery, fuse block, and starter, and the alt wire connections for cleanliness and tightness, not able to wiggle at all? You say you checked the starter, did you check the solenoid. When you get in a no start situation test the solenoid by jumping it, very carefully. If it starts the solenoid is bad. I know these things are the obvious, but you can't take them for granted.
Good Luck
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
I'm going to assume your starter doesn't even click or turn over, as if no power is going to your starter. If it was your battery you'd get the typical clicking of the starter.
Something is preventing the starter from getting juice. Some members with similar issues found the power cable lug on the starter itself loose. Check all your connections at the starter. Also it may be worth checking your battery cables to make sure they're clean inside the rubber boots (no corrosion) which could cause this condition. It sounds more like a loose connection that in the right circumstances doesn't make a proper contact.
Something is preventing the starter from getting juice. Some members with similar issues found the power cable lug on the starter itself loose. Check all your connections at the starter. Also it may be worth checking your battery cables to make sure they're clean inside the rubber boots (no corrosion) which could cause this condition. It sounds more like a loose connection that in the right circumstances doesn't make a proper contact.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,818
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I'm going to assume your starter doesn't even click or turn over, as if no power is going to your starter. If it was your battery you'd get the typical clicking of the starter.
Something is preventing the starter from getting juice. Some members with similar issues found the power cable lug on the starter itself loose. Check all your connections at the starter. Also it may be worth checking your battery cables to make sure they're clean inside the rubber boots (no corrosion) which could cause this condition. It sounds more like a loose connection that in the right circumstances doesn't make a proper contact.
Something is preventing the starter from getting juice. Some members with similar issues found the power cable lug on the starter itself loose. Check all your connections at the starter. Also it may be worth checking your battery cables to make sure they're clean inside the rubber boots (no corrosion) which could cause this condition. It sounds more like a loose connection that in the right circumstances doesn't make a proper contact.
PASS Key issues can be a dirty or corroded key pellet, poor contacts in the ignition lock or a bad theft deterrent relay or the wiring connecting all of this stuff. If you have an intermittent issue here it can really drive you crazy as there is a 3 minute timer on the system and if you try and turn the key within that 3 minute window the timer is reset. So if it fails to start you need to sit for 3 minutes before trying again. It helps to get out of the car and talk to somebody to pass the time.
Bill
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon
Could it be possible that your starter has a dead spot in it where the brushes do not make contact with the motor? I don't know how you checked the starter, if you pulled it apart to look at the brushes and contacts, but that could be another source. Boooo-urns, electrical problems suck.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 7
From: Bucks County Pa
Start Problems
I'm going to assume your starter doesn't even click or turn over, as if no power is going to your starter. If it was your battery you'd get the typical clicking of the starter.
Something is preventing the starter from getting juice. Some members with similar issues found the power cable lug on the starter itself loose. Check all your connections at the starter. Also it may be worth checking your battery cables to make sure they're clean inside the rubber boots (no corrosion) which could cause this condition. It sounds more like a loose connection that in the right circumstances doesn't make a proper contact.
Something is preventing the starter from getting juice. Some members with similar issues found the power cable lug on the starter itself loose. Check all your connections at the starter. Also it may be worth checking your battery cables to make sure they're clean inside the rubber boots (no corrosion) which could cause this condition. It sounds more like a loose connection that in the right circumstances doesn't make a proper contact.
Good luck
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Starter clicks, won't spin
I'll throw this in the pot of answers.
May 2007 car would not start, solenoid clicked in strongly, motor would not spin. Dealer observed "shower of sparks pouring from the solenoid cap". New motor/ solenoid and $ cured problem. Dec 2008 solenoid pulling in again but no spin up. I did the usual electrical checkups and replaced a 70% battery under suspicion. I just pulled motor and will examine. Should be replaced under warranty but dealers here are butchers.
Prior to both incidents, a period of intermittant failure to start and satisfactory starts existed (months in fact) Glad I drive a stick. Bump starts are fun! Since failures were intermittant, jump starts, terminal tightening and foul language would fool me into thinking things were OK when the critter would spin up - not so though.
I suspect bad brush or commutator segment or a burned spot on the solenoid disc.
Car is a daily driver 120K now, approx 85k at first starter failure. 1999-C5
May 2007 car would not start, solenoid clicked in strongly, motor would not spin. Dealer observed "shower of sparks pouring from the solenoid cap". New motor/ solenoid and $ cured problem. Dec 2008 solenoid pulling in again but no spin up. I did the usual electrical checkups and replaced a 70% battery under suspicion. I just pulled motor and will examine. Should be replaced under warranty but dealers here are butchers.
Prior to both incidents, a period of intermittant failure to start and satisfactory starts existed (months in fact) Glad I drive a stick. Bump starts are fun! Since failures were intermittant, jump starts, terminal tightening and foul language would fool me into thinking things were OK when the critter would spin up - not so though.
I suspect bad brush or commutator segment or a burned spot on the solenoid disc.
Car is a daily driver 120K now, approx 85k at first starter failure. 1999-C5
Last edited by Widow Maker '99; Dec 23, 2008 at 09:29 PM. Reason: Typo