Car only starts from a roll.

[jdillard6895]

So I've had my car for over a year now (97 gsx) with no problems until now. walked to my car after just driving it 2 hours previously and when i try and start my car it just clicks once,since then i have checked all the fuses in the engine bay, disconnected the clutch neutral switch, swapped in a new battery, cleaned my terminals to the battery and all connections to my starter, replaced the starter (old one didn't engage all the way) and still just clicks, however i was able to push my car to a good roll and pop the clutch in 3rd and fire the car up. not sure the next step to take, any help would be appreciated.

 

[clizz3]

I have this same problem with my gst. I could use the help as well..

 

[pauleyman]

Trace the circuit. Since you already ruled out most of the obvious I'd say what's left are the ignition switch and possibly alarm circuitry. You could always jumper the wires in the column to rule out the switch itself.

 

[jdillard6895]

You could always jumper the wires in the column to rule out the switch itself.

The ignition wires? jumpers from wires to battery?

 

[Jon91TSi]

The same thing just happened with my 91 AWD, I'm not sure if this applies to 2g's however, I'll share what happened. Fired car up at work, drove 1/2 mile to gas station after work, shut car off and got gas, got back in car and got gas, turned key, no start. I bump started the car and all was fine. I got home and checked all the connections and everything was solid to the starter. I looked up under the dash and noticed that the little rubber/plastic "button" on the back side of the clutch pedal arm that activates the low side clutch switch was missing, thus when I pushed the clutch down, the arm for the switch went through the hole in the clutch arm instead on contacting the "button" on the clutch arm that had apparently desintegrated and was in 20 pieces all over my floor mat and I hadn't even noticed it. I went to the junk yard, pulled one of these buttons, well many (so I have spares ) off a few cars, replaced it and it fired right up. Might be something to check first.

 

[pauleyman]

No. Not to battery you can unplug the switch and just jumper the terminals. Just check the wiring diagrams.

 

[jdillard6895]

Ok, I'll try that when i get home tonight. Have had very little time to work on it this week. One thing i noticed when i made my own ground directly from the battery to the grounding point on the starter, after i would turn the key over about 15 secounds later i'd here a few clicks under the hood. with factory ground it does not do this.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

sounds like a dead starter to me. when it starts from a roll that is a compression start, an easy alternative to using the starter. if it runs fine after you compression start it, clearly your starter is bad.

The same thing just happened with my 91 AWD, I'm not sure if this applies to 2g's however, I'll share what happened. Fired car up at work, drove 1/2 mile to gas station after work, shut car off and got gas, got back in car and got gas, turned key, no start. I bump started the car and all was fine. I got home and checked all the connections and everything was solid to the starter. I looked up under the dash and noticed that the little rubber/plastic "button" on the back side of the clutch pedal arm that activates the low side clutch switch was missing, thus when I pushed the clutch down, the arm for the switch went through the hole in the clutch arm instead on contacting the "button" on the clutch arm that had apparently desintegrated and was in 20 pieces all over my floor mat and I hadn't even noticed it. I went to the junk yard, pulled one of these buttons, well many (so I have spares ) off a few cars, replaced it and it fired right up. Might be something to check first.

He said he disabled/unplugged the neutral start switch, so he can turn on the car without the clutch. its most likely the starter if he replaced everyhting he said in his first post.

 

[jdillard6895]

Tested the starter, starter functions perfect outside of the car. Just not getting power or at least enough power to the starter.

 

[Spoolin92GSX]

Not sure if the 2g starters are built the same as 1g's but did you replace the starter solenoid along with the starter? That would be my #1 suspect at this point.

 

[jdillard6895]

Yes, the starter came with a new solenoid attached.

 

[pauleyman]

Doesn't the factory setup have two large grounds? It sounds like you only have one.

 

[crazyquik22023]

I would first remove the starter and take it to an auto parts store and have them bench test it. The starter is fairly easy to remove, just a pain because of all the hoses, wires, etc. in the way. Also check the ground wire that goes from one of the bolts that holds the starter to the bell housing to the firewall. It is known for getting corroded. If it's corroded sand it down with a wire wheel or sand paper. If all of that checks out good you can check to make sure you don't have a loose, shorter wire on your ignition harness. Pop off the covers around the steering wheel and look at the plug that plugs into the key switch. Mine actually has come loose before and was giving me the same problem you are having.

Doesn't the factory setup have two large grounds? It sounds like you only have one.

Factory setup has one large ground wire going from the chassis to one of the bolts holding the starter to the bell housing.

 

[jdillard6895]

Already replaced starter and had that one tested before I left the store, I check the voltage of my battery and it was showing 12.4 (lower because I've been trying to start it quite a lot) and checked the voltage the starter was getting was also 12.4 . I checked my ignition wires all appear secure to plug. I also swapped out my starter relay with a known working one and did not change a thing. Kinda getting discourage here.

 

[ThunderChild]

test the resistance of the starter solenoid power and main starter motor power cables. if the are corroded whatsoever, you can have enough power to cause a click but not enough to turn the motor or keep the solenoid engaged.

you want as low of resistance as possible. the other thing you could do is do a voltage drop test when you attempt to start the car. as you turn the key you measure how much voltage drops at the battery.

remember, voltage= pressure or flow. amps= current or total amount of power, and ohms= resistance or the dam in the river.

just sounds like you do have enough voltage to get to the starter.

 

[Nosroxs]

I would just jump the starter and solenoid with a screwdriver if it doesn't turn over i would suspect a jam of some sort. if you hear a click then the solenoid is popping but starter motor is not turning over. From there i would trace back wires to make sure you are getting power to the starter. Since you hear the clicking you are apparently getting power to the solenoid. Couple things to think of. Either no power to starter motor. Not a good enough ground to starter. Starter is not getting enough power to turn the flywheel around. Starter is jamming and not turning.. Maybe try tapping the outside of the starter while having someone turn it over. "don't get yourself ran over" if none of the above works id break out the multimeter

 

[rlacasse1]

It is an issue with the connection to the starter for sure. I get the feeling it's somewhere in the terminals even though you said you cleaned them up.

I would go over all your work again. I would throw some new terminals on the cables, and make sure the cable ends are nice and clean before you put the terminals on them. And make sure those terminals are tight. If they're loose they'll do the same thing you're having right now.

 

[SY1100]

Check for any burnt or frayed wires around the starter. Also follow any wires from the starter through the engine bay to make sure nothing got crimped, cut, burnt, or worked itself loose..

 

[jdillard6895]

Turned out to be the alarm, one clip of the green/brown wire at the starter relay and fired right up.