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Car won't start. Need help with diagnosis

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Starscream

15+ Year Contributor
93
3
Apr 26, 2006
Caracas, South America
Today, in the morning the car started fine as usual. I drove around the city doing some errands, and everytime I started the car, it started without problems.

Then, after having dinner, I went to start the car and it didn't cranked. The battery had charge, because all the lights and accesories worked, but the car won't crank. Everytime I turned the key, I heard a little "click". Maybe it's the starter engine that went bad? What else can it be or what else can I check?

Thanks in advance :thumb:
 
Clicking is usually the Starter Solenoid.

Check the following:

1- The Ground wire from Battery to Body and Block, make sure they are nice and tight
2- The Power Wire going from Battery to Starter
3- The Starter Ground Wire

If all is ok and still clicking, change the starter, its dead.

EDIT: Oh and just for future reference, just because the lights are on does NOT mean the battery is charged enough to turn over the engine. Get a voltmeter and check the battery voltage.
 
grnchevyz:

I used a volt meter, and it's sending in the neighborhood of 12.2 volts.

I will double check the wires tomorrow morning.

ROOKIE1:

It seems like the "click" sound I hear when I turn the key comes from the ECU. Could that be the problem? I remember opening the ECU less than a month ago and I didn't saw any visible damage.

Thanks for the replies guys.
 
If it is the ecu , it is not that easy to see if it is caught early . Look at figure 7 in the link . Not to noticeble . Swap out with a friend with a 90 ecu if possible .
 
Oh, the click sound is coming from the inside of the car?

If so, it could be the ECU or one of the relays under the ceter console..MFI and the such.

But if its coming from the inside then I's look at the ECU as ROOKIE1 suggested as it probably will not be the starter.
 
I wish it could be easy to swap with another ECU, but my car is imported, therefore is very rare here in Venezuela. The only Eclipses sold officially in here are +92 GS's.

How could I check the relays to know if they're good or not? I will check the ECU tomorrow also to see if any damaged has happened since the last time I checked it.
 
Also, does anyone know a place to buy a EPROM ECU for a 90 GSX? I had one website that sold DSM ECU's, but I can't seem to find it on my favorites list...if someone knows any site that does, please let me know.
 
When you say it won't crank, you mean all you hear is a click and that's it? OK. If you mean the engine won't even turn over, then that's "NOT" the ECU. There's a little Black/yellow wire on the top of the starter. It's the relay pull in and hold in. Check to see if you have voltage there when you crank over. If no voltage, then check your clutch switch and ignition switch. If you have at least 10 volts while in cranking mode, then the starter is bad. If voltage is dropping to nothing, then it's a bad battery or a very bad/loose connection.

Try those and re-post
 
Well, I jump started the car today and it worked! I checked the starter, and it was barely working. I took it down, and monday morning I'm getting it replaced. I'm grateful it was a "minor" thing and not the ECU or something similar...it's very hard for me to get parts like that in my country.

Once again, thanks to all those that helped :thumb:
 
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