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Inconsistent Starting ( confused )

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BadGst

Probationary Member
18
0
Sep 13, 2012
Columbus, Ohio
97 Eclipse Gst, 107k

Last week went to get gas, filled her up then went to try to start car, no crank at all. I can hear the fuel pump working when i turn the key. Decided to roll it forward in first gear then tried again and it started.

Today same thing happened although i tried to roll it forward in gear and it still wouldn't start. Got it towed home, then it started. LOL. Turned it off and then went to see if it would start again. WOULD NOT. Fml..

Does this sound like a starter issue? I would assume its on its way out / freezing up. Battery voltage is good, fuel pump is working of course. Its just being very inconsistent.

When i say doesn't start, it wont crank.
 
Does the starter solenoid click every time you turn the key to start? (Have a second person listen) if not, test with a DMM if its getting voltage when you attempt to start it. If not its ignition switch/wiring related. If it is, it's a starter motor, replace it.

Clean all connections starter and battery associated.

Sounds like either an intermittent main power connection/ground or worn solenoid/commutator/brushes in the starter motor itself.
 
There is a single wire that connects to the starter that tells it to start spinning. If this comes loose, you are dead in the water; no crank, no click, absolutely nothing when turning the key. It is a PITA to get to, but if you remove the battery you should be able to reach down there and clip it back on to the topside of the starter. I had this issue for a while on my car, the clip was loose and the vibrations would loosen it occasionally. I replaced the plastic clip with an electrical spade, haven't had the issue since.
 
Hmm interesting. I would imagine u still need a starter to turn the flywheel and get it going even if u push it. What your referencing is when the battery is dead. Just my humble opinion.
Push starting bypasses the starter. Push the car pop the clutch and car fires up.

However this sounds like a power issue. Check grounds, power wires and solenoid in starter.
 
No body is looking at the basic picture... He tried push starting and it wouldn't start(No starter involved). I say something along the lines of vapor lock/ heat soak

And where exactly did he say it didn't start when push-starting it? That was how he got it running.

The info has been given, now the op needs to do the testing and figure out where the problem is.
 
97 Eclipse Gst, 107k

Last week went to get gas, filled her up then went to try to start car, no crank at all. I can hear the fuel pump working when i turn the key. Decided to roll it forward in first gear then tried again and it started.

Today same thing happened although i tried to roll it forward in gear and it still wouldn't start. Got it towed home, then it started. LOL. Turned it off and then went to see if it would start again. WOULD NOT. Fml..

Does this sound like a starter issue? I would assume its on its way out / freezing up. Battery voltage is good, fuel pump is working of course. Its just being very inconsistent.

When i say doesn't start, it wont crank.

And where exactly did he say it didn't start when push-starting it? That was how he got it running.

The info has been given, now the op needs to do the testing and figure out where the problem is.
I bolded the line in regards to your statement to me. My quote from him is the very first post.
 
I never said i started it by push starting it LOL. I meant i let it roll foward... and let it catch in 1st gear if i can remember, with the car off when the key was on. Then i i put it in neutral and it started by key. I wouldn't even attempt to push start my car unless i absolutely had to.

My clutch switch is bypassed or if its the start up switch etc idk the last owner did it. I barely drive this car as to when i first got it. It has 105k on it.. its late from when i wouldnt start but im getting into it today. We will see what goes on.
 
That's what I was wondering because he didn't specifically say he pop started it. I agree with simplejoe. Check the clutch switch FIRST, it's the "easiest" to get to and inspect, start there and work your way down the list of suggestions so far.

Just so we're all on the same page.. Intermittently, Your car will not start, the fuel pup will engage, but it will not turn over. do you hear the starter clicking when you turn the key? If NOT that takes heat soak to a cheap starter solenoid out of the equation.
 
Id start with battery connections/ engine grounds or reach down and check starter commections.

Does the starter solenoid click every time you turn the key to start?

Just yank the starter off and bench test it by doing the classic jumper cables from battery to starter and see if she goes.

There is a single wire that connects to the starter that tells it to start spinning. If this comes loose, you are dead in the water; no crank, no click, absolutely nothing when turning the key.

So just to recap... have you tried or tested any of these?
 
So just to recap... have you tried or tested any of these?


Battery connections and ground is fine. The starter makes not a click sound but more of a series of clicks. Almost like a bad relay. I have a video if anyone wants to text me 330-714-7285. Anyways, i did go from under the car and feel that wire everyone is talking about. It wiggles side to side but i cant pull it off easily, its still intact. So im assuming its alright. I dont have a volt meter until later tonight. I should have got myself one awhile awhile awhile back LOL. But yes its intermittent, the night i got it towed and it got dropped off at my house. It started. Havent since. So its really odd.
 
When it is a series of clicks (almost like a machine gun) that is typically a low/dead battery/voltage issue.
When the car is doing the no start thing, does it always do the series of clicks?
 
When it is a series of clicks (almost like a machine gun) that is typically a low/dead battery/voltage issue.
When the car is doing the no start thing, does it always do the series of clicks?

its done the same thing before i had this issue. I got a new battery months ago also. So i dont know. Its weird how it was off and on. I got a turbo timer.. it does the same sound turning off. Clclclclt. Its coming from the starter area. This is turning the key to the on position. Not start position.
 
Simplejoe got it right... It's the clutch pedal position switch. Diagram attached.

I had the automatic transmission version of this...the car didn't think it was in Park so it made all the same brrrrrrt starting noises... I pulled my gear shifter to the lowest gear and jammed it up to park, then my car started...

For your car, it thinks the clutch is not pressed in, so it won't turn.
 

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Simplejoe got it right... It's the clutch pedal position switch. Diagram attached.

I had the automatic transmission version of this...the car didn't think it was in Park so it made all the same brrrrrrt starting noises... I pulled my gear shifter to the lowest gear and jammed it up to park, then my car started...

For your car, it thinks the clutch is not pressed in, so it won't turn.
I never had to push my clutch in as the owner bypassed that switch i believe. So could it still be that?
 
Depending on who did the bypass and how the wiring was done, it could certainly still be that (loose connection). I was thinking maybe a bad ground, but that clclclclct noise you described, seems like it would be the switch.

If it's not that...Bench test the starter, it's not that hard to pull... Take the battery and tray out and you'll see the extraction path. YouTube bench test starter, you'll need jumper cables.
 
The 1g version of bypassing the clutch switch is to just unplug it. 2g guys.. Is that the same in your case? If someone tried to be clever and wire it out somehow it may have caused an issue.

Have you tried any of the suggested solutions, troubleshooting advice?

Wait.. If it's clicking with you not attempting to start the car, key in "on" but not "start" position are you sure it isn't some kind of ignition relay shorting out? Have someone turn the key while your under the hood and listen for exactly where that clicking is coming from.
 
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