No Start issues

[subie22]

Ok i am having a no start issue. But i have fuel and spark all the stuff needed to make a car go. But im not able to get it started, once in awhile it will start but it seems like theres either a bad connection somewhere. Or its an aftermarket alarm system thats messing me up. That i recently found. Or since one of the starter bolt holes is stripped im not sure if the starter is grounded correctly. But i was told i could get away with one. But you deff want both. But i was wondering if that could be a problem. It seems everytime i tighten as much as possible, it will start. I've been trying to figure this issue for the past few weeks. With very little result. So any help would be nice..

Also im wondering if the bolts just bolt in the starter and the starter is sandwhiched to the trans, or is there treaded bolt holes that those bolts tread in the block and the starter. It seems like its just the starter.

 

[the_mork]

Do a boost leak test to check for vacuum leaks.

Is the motor timed correctly?

Are any of the plugs fouled?

 

[ccb21]

I would also recomend getting a re threding bolt and get that starter back to the trany all the way, also checked the Plugs and wires made sure they are tight??? My old Eclipse had issues with them and did something quite similar.

 

[subie22]

but wouldn't it crank im not even getting that. Its like just a click as if my battery is dead. But it has like 12.2 volts, and i usually jump it from another car in my driveway. This is getting annoying.

 

[Evil_speedracer]

Something is FUBAR in the area the starter is in, if not the starter itself. The starter should attach via 2 bolts directly to the trans. Is that how it looks in there? Or are you missing a bolt? You might be able to take that starter out and test it on a battery with a couple of jumpers...

 

[dmc]

Well if it is turning over and not starting, you can try and make sure the the cooling temp sensor is good and pluged in, you wont think so but it has alot to do with starting. If it is not turning over i guess just check all grounds and connections, make sure that the ground is on the good bolt on the starter.( and fix the other one) best of luck.

 

[the_mork]

5:1 you have a bad starter. The click you hear is probably from the passenger side? If so then this is the starter relay opening up. Take a multimeter and see if the starter is getting power(while someone is cranking), if it is then replace the starter. If it isn't getting power you have a wiring problem.

Edit: You may also be able to get the starter to work by using percussive maintenance (hit it with a hammer) but this will be a temporary solution and you should consider the car unreliable and unsafe to drive more than absolutely necessary (you don't want to snub it out in the middle of an intersection and have your starter not work again).

 

[Evil_speedracer]

5:1 you have a bad starter. The click you hear is probably from the passenger side? If so then this is the starter relay opening up. Take a multimeter and see if the starter is getting power(while someone is cranking), if it is then replace the starter. If it isn't getting power you have a wiring problem.

I thought the same thing. I figure the click is either the relay, or possibly the bandix shooting out with no spin....

Also, does the motor spin if you spin it from the crank? I hope its not locked up....

 

[the_mork]

Yes, but be careful to only spin it one way which I believe is clockwise because you can cause engine damage if you turn the other way. Check some other threads to get an answer on direction from someone who is more sure or just spin it in the direction that the motor normally turns if you can remember. Use a ratchet.

 

[Pirrofab]

Check for voltage drops on the power side and make sure its grounded out. Battery to frame battery to block on the starter bolt. make sure battery terminals are TIGHT and not just hand tight. Make sure wires can't pull out of the terminals. Check for continuity on the wires to and from the starter relay. Make sure any and all wiring harness connectors are tight and corrosion free.

 

[grnchevyz]

Betchya that once it starts, you drive around and can't restart it for about 3-4 hours even if you re-tighten everything. Sounds like something binding in the starter housing. I had a similar issue, start decently when cold, once hot, no crank nothing. New starter, problem solved. Try it at night, turn the headlights on, crank the car, if the lights dim, starter is bad as it's drawing power but not spinning. If there's no dimming, check ALL connections both ground and power. There is a very small ground wire that clips on the left side of the block coming from the starter...make sure the connection is not corroded/broken.

 

[Pirrofab]

Betchya that once it starts, you drive around and can't restart it for about 3-4 hours even if you re-tighten everything. Sounds like something binding in the starter housing. I had a similar issue, start decently when cold, once hot, no crank nothing. New starter, problem solved. Try it at night, turn the headlights on, crank the car, if the lights dim, starter is bad as it's drawing power but not spinning. If there's no dimming, check ALL connections both ground and power. There is a very small ground wire that clips on the left side of the block coming from the starter...make sure the connection is not corroded/broken.

I would agree with this too. I forgot about even testing them like that.

 

[heckles]

there is a ground wire that comes out of the harness that is mounted to the block by one of the top tranny bolts, make sure it hasnt backed out as well.

 

[subie22]

i did noticed when i turn the lights on they were dim, but i was thinking the battery had to be charged. But right know as i write this I'm going out to see if my lights are dim. But i need some help. I got another bolt in so there's two of them now. Tighten everything that i might of thought was loose, put in a new ground, and fixed another one that i felt needed fixing. The thing i dont understand is i had the starter checked out and it passed whatever tests they toss at it. I wont be able to get another one if this ones comes out good. Im getting 11.93 volts at the starter. But didnt do a voltage drop. But i do get a very faint sound coming from the starter. Pretty much makes no sense. But i was thinking it was the starter relay but i still get some power to the starter. So im pretty sure thats not the case. This is totally boggling the mind of me and my friends who have dsm's. There were a few times i got it started but after turning it off, it wouldn't start again. Like if it had no power, like my current situation. Which makes this so difficult for me to figure out.

 

[wises4057]

I would think it'd be the starter itself. when you say the lights were dim...you mean they were dim when you turned them on, before you started trying to turn over the car?? if so, what grnchevyz ment was to turn the lights on, then try starting the car. if they dim when you're turning the key, then the starters drawing power, but not turning the car over.

if not, fix the bad bolt hole so that you can tighten the starter down all the way, and then try it.

 

[xe0]

i did noticed when i turn the lights on they were dim, but i was thinking the battery had to be charged. But right know as i write this I'm going out to see if my lights are dim. But i need some help. I got another bolt in so there's two of them now. Tighten everything that i might of thought was loose, put in a new ground, and fixed another one that i felt needed fixing. The thing i dont understand is i had the starter checked out and it passed whatever tests they toss at it. I wont be able to get another one if this ones comes out good. Im getting 11.93 volts at the starter. But didnt do a voltage drop. But i do get a very faint sound coming from the starter. Pretty much makes no sense. But i was thinking it was the starter relay but i still get some power to the starter. So im pretty sure thats not the case. This is totally boggling the mind of me and my friends who have dsm's. There were a few times i got it started but after turning it off, it wouldn't start again. Like if it had no power, like my current situation. Which makes this so difficult for me to figure out.

I'm thinking that it's probably a bad starter as well. One last thing you could do, though, it is sort of shade-tree , is to run a hot wire directly to the starter. That way, you bypass any possible bad wiring.

Good luck, Adam

 

[Pirrofab]

Hey Vinny have u had any luck yet with the starter? I MIGHT have spare starter for ya but its not for sale. You could borrow it for a test dummy but I need it back after the day is up. I know i have one in my basement but im not sure if its for an awd or fwd. Its worth a shot but I don't know when I will be home this weekend.

 

[the_mork]

I'm thinking that it's probably a bad starter as well. One last thing you could do, though, it is sort of shade-tree , is to run a hot wire directly to the starter. That way, you bypass any possible bad wiring.

Good luck, Adam

The easier and safer way is to use a multi-meter and check if there is current going to the starter.