Car Won't Start Please Help!

[Project2G]

I own a 95 Eclipse RS and it hasn't been running for the past 6 months. I replaced the battery, starter, clutch safety switch, ignition switch and the alternator.. but before when my eclipse was running it wouldnt start sometimes and then if i waited like 10 minutes it would start then one day it wouldnt start! so i got it towed home and thats where i started fixing things. I just don't know what to do now. I am about to give up and take it to a mechanic or the dealershop but I know the dealership will charge an arm and a leg. I'm hoping some of you 420A guys out there can help.. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this!

 

[dr1665]

First things first. This is not a turbo-specific question, so it might get more views in the regular NT forum. Second, do you get any CELs? Third, how long since you've installed the new battery? Are you certain it's still charged? Are all three connectors on the alternator? Have you checked the ASD and fuel pump relays on the firewall? Do you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the ignition to the ON position (before trying to start it)?

You could have a short in a 12VDC line somewhere that is draining the battery while it sits.

You need three things to run the engine - fuel, compression, and spark. See which one you're missing. (Spark is tied to the crank angle and cam position sensors (CAS and CMP).)

 

[99gst_racer]

Moved to 2G N/T Bolt-on Tech.

 

[Project2G]

First things first. This is not a turbo-specific question, so it might get more views in the regular NT forum. Second, do you get any CELs? Third, how long since you've installed the new battery? Are you certain it's still charged? Are all three connectors on the alternator? Have you checked the ASD and fuel pump relays on the firewall? Do you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the ignition to the ON position (before trying to start it)?

You could have a short in a 12VDC line somewhere that is draining the battery while it sits.

You need three things to run the engine - fuel, compression, and spark. See which one you're missing. (Spark is tied to the crank angle and cam position sensors (CAS and CMP).)

When the car sits the battery dies like every three days so I have been recharging it every three days, can that kill the battery?

 

[Doug99RS]

I've seen what all you've replaced but uh... the complaint is still kind of vague. Can you elaborate a little on the "not starting" condition?

Does the starter engage?
Does it just click when you turn the key to the crank position?
Does Anything happen at all in the crank position?
Does the engine spin over but it just doesn't fire up?

Starter can give a single or multiple clicks with no engine rotation.
Battery can do the same.
Neutral safety switch will prevent starter engagement all together and will not click.
Altenator will only cause a dead battery and prior to killing the battery it won't cause a no---------start condition
Ignition switch will cause no starter engagement (no clicking) or intermittant starter
-------engagement

Can you be a bit more specific and give us some time frames when you replaced the battery vs time until it wouldn't crank anymore?
Doug

 

[Project2G]

When I turn the key I just hear one click

 

[Doug99RS]

If it's just a single click that sounds like either a bad starter or a loose connection like a battery terminal, loose ground, or positive terminal on the starter. One click and one click only... I'd search that area. It is possible that the battery is so dead that it only allows one click but you can check that by turning on the headlights and checking how much they dim. If they don't dim alot then you've still got a good battery.
Doug

 

[dr1665]

When the car sits the battery dies like every three days so I have been recharging it every three days, can that kill the battery?

I don't know if that can kill a battery, but it sure sounds like you're either draining it when it's in there or it's not holding a charge anymore. Easy check for that - just take the battery to Autozone. They'll charge it (if it needs it) and test it to see if it's any good. If the battery is still good, but is draining every three days, I'd seriously suspect you've got a short somewhere. Dunno.

 

[GSX77901]

it could be your crank position sensor.

 

[Project2G]

I don't know if that can kill a battery, but it sure sounds like you're either draining it when it's in there or it's not holding a charge anymore. Easy check for that - just take the battery to Autozone. They'll charge it (if it needs it) and test it to see if it's any good. If the battery is still good, but is draining every three days, I'd seriously suspect you've got a short somewhere. Dunno.

Thanks man.. Yeah I started having this problem shortly after I went to a well known place (Dynamic Autosport) to get my air fuel and EGT gauge installed and they hooked them up to the battery, I don't know why on earth they did that, so now I am going to take them out and see if that works.. Thanks for the imput from all you!

 

[Doug99RS]

it could be your crank position sensor.

A bad/failing crank sensor will not give the symptoms listed above.

 

[GSGoinFast]

The battery dying and being recharged every 3 days isn't great for it, these are not deep cycle batteries and are not designed to be fully discharged like that, so you will get premature corrosion and failure. As doug said, turn the headlights on and try to start it, if the headlights do not dim at all, then that will eliminate some possible causes. I would look up the starte system schematics and start testing for voltage along the circuit with a voltmeter.

 

[wannaspoolRS]

i had this exact same problem, it was my battery terminals, i just bought new ones at Auto Zone...by the way you are my friend on myspace...haha

 

[Project2G]

i had this exact same problem, it was my battery terminals, i just bought new ones at Auto Zone...by the way you are my friend on myspace...haha

haha wuddup homie??? LoL hit me up! how much was it to replace the battery terminals?

 

[DiamondStarM]

No more than $2.00

 

[Project2G]

No more then $2.00

oh okay thanks.

 

[GSGoinFast]

before you just run out and buy stuff test if first. use a volt meter to see if you are getting a voltage drop accross the battery terminal. I think that is a good lesson for you seeing on what you have replaced already, test before you replace

 

[Project2G]

before you just run out and buy stuff test if first. use a volt meter to see if you are getting a voltage drop accross the battery terminal. I think that is a good lesson for you seeing on what you have replaced already, test before you replace

haha thanks