no start

[newtypedsm]

battery voltage is 12.8, i tried jump starting it to no avail. checked the fuses, knocked on the starter a couple of times...nothing. here is whats happening: the car has been sitting for about 3-4 days, i tried to crank it but all it did was click, from the ecu and somewhere around the steering column, and again from the ecu after i turned the ignition off. i noticed the fuel pump would never come on, but everything else did (radio, lights, etc.) why would it run fine 3 days ago and now suddenly not even want to crank?

 

[steve]

Check the clutch safety switch. You can unplug it and that will bypass it's function.
It's the switch that gets pressed in when you push in the clutch.

If it's broken all you'll get is a click from the starter relay but nothing from the starter or fuel pump.

Steve

 

[newtypedsm]

i figured it out...simple really. the clutch pedal has two switches that are closed and open depending on where the pedal is at. as chance would have it, neither switch was being touched as it should when the pedal was depressed or released.

 

[steve]

One is the Cruise Switch and the other the Clutch Safety Switch. The rubber stops that press in the switches wear out over time, usually the cruise one because it normally pressed in.

That's great that you found the problem.

Steve

 

[luv2rallye]

Check the clutch safety switch. You can unplug it and that will bypass it's function.

Doesn't unplugging it open the circuit and so removes the ground necessary to enable the starter relay? The diagrams show this, so I would think you would have to jumper the plug if you remove it.

 

[steve]

Doesn't unplugging it open the circuit and so removes the ground necessary to enable the starter relay? The diagrams show this, so I would think you would have to jumper the plug if you remove it.

If you look closely you'll see that the CSS and starter relay are normally closed. The CSS causes the coil in the starter relay to be grounded so that when power is applied the starter relay opens (and clicks) and breaks the circuit to the starter solenoid. When you push the clutch in the CSS opens and the starter relay doesn't activate so power is applied to the starter solenoid and the car cranks.

So disconnecting the CSS allows the starter to work without pushing in the clutch.

Steve

 

[luv2rallye]

If you look closely you'll see that the CSS and starter relay are normally closed.

Yep you're right. I didn't look close enough and thought they were normally open, thanx.