car dies once i turn the key

[unlmtdndeavor]

when i put my car in the on or acc position, my radio works and all the instruments are lit up as normal. but when i turn it to crank it i hear a click and everything turns off. if i leave it alone then the instruments will light back up in about 10 second. i will try to start it again but everything will shut off. the starter doesnt crank at all. when i am in the engine bay and the instruments decide to light up, i hear a series of very fast clicks coming from the engine bay (starter maybe)? i tried to use an emergency car jumper but it did the same thing? it almost seems like an alarm problem but the car has no alarm to my knowledge. any ideas?

 

[EclipseTrbo420A]

when i put my car in the on or acc position, my radio works and all the instruments are lit up as normal. but when i turn it to crank it i hear a click and everything turns off. if i leave it alone then the instruments will light back up in about 10 second. i will try to start it again but everything will shut off. the starter doesnt crank at all. when i am in the engine bay and the instruments decide to light up, i hear a series of very fast clicks coming from the engine bay (starter maybe)? i tried to use an emergency car jumper but it did the same thing? it almost seems like an alarm problem but the car has no alarm to my knowledge. any ideas?

Check to see if your battery ground came lose from the frame. That will result in the problems your having. Everything will work, but then when you go to start it it wont.

 

[andymoraitis]

I'd recommend following the advice above. If that doesn't work, you can continue your diagnosis by removing the ECU (pull the driver's side kick panel and disconnecting it fully). Once you have it removed, open the case and look for any burned capacitors or a rotten egg smell. The 1G ECU's were known for having leaking capacitors over time. If you have fried capacitors, these can be repaired by contacting Jeff Oberholtzer at DSM Chips ([email protected]) or Darren King at FFWD Connection ([email protected]).

A final option is to swap in another ECU for your year/model and see if the issue disappears. Remove it to start and let us know what you find,

Andy

 

[unlmtdndeavor]

ill give it a try in the mornings. i just realized that the fuel pump isnt priming the system either. does this help in the diagnosis. and the system only turns off when i have the clutch in. not as i thought before.

 

[payup]

this happend to me on my mustang. the battery cable ends were not to pretty looking nor were they connected all the way tight. i would see if those are lose, or what i did was buy brand new powder coated ones with plastic covers over them for a nice clean look

 

[andymoraitis]

ill give it a try in the mornings. i just realized that the fuel pump isnt priming the system either. does this help in the diagnosis. and the system only turns off when i have the clutch in. not as i thought before.

Go ahead and test the fuel pump line with a voltmeter and see if it's getting juice. If so, then I'm still leaning towards the ECU caps being fried. Besides, a thorough ECU inspection should be considered preventive maintenance on the 1G's.

Andy

 

[jackstandracer]

I would say before doin all of that check the volt on the battery and make sure its a deep charge and right voltage, i had the same exact problems with my old car, just deep cycle charged it and clean the terminals then wolla.