Resolved 2G Starter relay/Ignition Switch

[drthorp]

First off, just a brief description of my car and it's issue. It is a 1996 GSX M/T with 156K on the chassis/electronics.

I have been starting it and driving it in the process of discovering/repairing some oil leaks. There has never been an issue with starting it (no starter grinds or power issues) until yesterday. I go to start the car and nothing happens except the fuel pump noise from the upgraded Walbro pump. I smell gas and everything so its getting fuel but there isn't a single noise from the starter. Since I never had any kind of evidence from the starter getting bad, I decide to investigate the relay first. I dig into the console and find two relays next to each other (see picture). And I am not sure which is the starter relay. I searched the forums first and found conflicting info so I guess I have a couple questions:

Which of these relays is the starter relay? And does this issue sound like a relay issue, and how does one bypass this relay? Could this be an ignition switch? or does the fuel pump operation signify a good ignition switch?

Thanks in advance.

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[JPenny]

More than likely this is to simple to be your fix but check the little signal wire on top of the starter if the clip came off it will never start. Do you have access to a multimeter you can check voltage at the relays regardless of which one because I'm not sure myself. Also there should be a small audible click or you can feel the click when a relay is activated. Those are a few things I would check that are simple and fast. Sorry for the long message thank you for your time, Jason Penny

 

[drthorp]

More than likely this is to simple to be your fix but check the little signal wire on top of the starter if the clip came off it will never start. Do you have access to a multimeter you can check voltage at the relays regardless of which one because I'm not sure myself. Also there should be a small audible click or you can feel the click when a relay is activated. Those are a few things I would check that are simple and fast. Sorry for the long message thank you for your time, Jason Penny

I do have a multimeter and I guess I'll check into the signal at these relays. I definitely hear ONE click , but I believe one of these relays is for the fuel pump so that may be the click that I'm hearing.

After work today I'll be checking to the physical condition of the starter and its connections, maybe something came loose on the drive over that day.

Thanks for the reply! Any and all info is appreciated.

 

[miguelmcv]

The relay with two big black wires is the one for the starter. It’s black with red stripe and black with green stripe. Like Jpenny said check if there is current at the starter wire when cranking.

There are several spots to check.

1. Clutch switch
2. Relay (which you are looking at)
3. Connector at the wiring harness. (There is a Connection in the harness and is between the starter and battery, is in the harness), check if it didn’t get disconnected.
4. Starter wire. Check is not off the starter.

 

[drthorp]

Thanks for the reply! I forgot to mention that I already disconnected the clutch switch before all this. I'll be sure to check these signals and connectors and give a quick update on this. Just to clarify, the on the the driver's side is the starter relay and the other is the fuel pump relay?

 

[rabenne]

I smell gas and everything so its getting fuel...

That's not a good thing, where is your fuel leak coming from? I know this is off topic, but you shouldn't smell fuel from having the pump running. You probably have a leak.

What kind of hoses/connections did you use?

 

[drthorp]

Update: Bypassed the relay and actually got a click out of the starter, replaced the starter solenoid and cleaned up the contacts, and we have lift off! thanks guys...