Inconsistent Starting ( confused )

[BadGst]

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. . 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.

 

[JaysGSX]

Sounds like a bad/loose ground going to your starter. Does the car start with a jumper cables?

 

[BadGst]

The sound is coming from the starter. 'CLCLCLCLCL'
Ive tried jumping it with jumper cables. No luck.
Its also the OG Starter. 20 years old.
Just gonna pull and bench test.

The night it got towed after not starting as soon as it got dropped off in my driveway. It started. Its super weird.

 

[BadGst]

Like i said though, the CLCLCLC sound always happened. Even before all this was going on.

 

[BadGst]

Update. Bench tested. Gear pops out but doesnt spin. Picking up a new starter tomorrow. The joy it was getting it out is making me wonder how much of a joy its gonna be getting back in with one person.

 

[emcee]

I'm having a similar problem and I think its this white switch not working when the clutch pedal is depressed all the way. I can pump the switch / pedal while holding the key in start position and it eventually cranks. Do you know what that white switch is called? Appreciate the help.

 

[pauleyman]

Clutch safety. The switch opens the circuit so you can just unplug it to disable it. Keep in mind dont try and start it in gear. That's why it's called a safety switch. Many of us disable the switch so you don't start the car cold with pressure on the thrust bearing. Mine has been disable for 20 years and I always park in neutral.

 

[Murdertalon]

I can confirm 2g clutch disable is just unplug it. I generally park in N with E-Brake however if I am on a hill I will also drop it in gear. I have once forgot I was in gear and killed it luckily I always start it with the E-brake on. Thats one thing I suggest doing if you have the mod done is start it with the E-brake on and dont even think about the E-brake disengage before your started.

This sounds like you could have an issue with grounding. with wires running to starter, low amperage battery, ECU caps, clutch saftey switch wiring? Possibly relay issues? I really think you should start checking grounding and test your battery.

You can get voltage and not enough amperage. I can tell you from experience these cars require some amperage to start. I just went to a yellow top because of starting issues.

 

[Redslayer]

Mine was doing this for awhile. Turned out to be a bad ground the first time, and a bad main power wire the second time.

Easy way to find out, drive the car, then check the temps of the battery terminals. (Be careful though, if you do have a bad connection, it can get hot enough to burn your skin). They should be pretty much cool to the touch. If they are really hot, there's a ground issue or the power wire isn't tight. (usually which ever one is loose will be hot, at least that's how my car was .)

My power wire had corroded inside the coating, and that's why I had that issue, and my ground wire had broken off the transmission.