Please Help Me Diagnose My No Start Engine

[marcman804]

I have a 97 GST 7 bolt and I can't get it to start after new engine install. Basically my engine crapped out about 6 months ago and I bought another one and I just finished installing it. This was one of the toughest things Ive ever done, next to installing the door handles that break every winter. Well, I went to turn the key and all I got was a "click". Im not sure where to even start because there are so many things it could be. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GSXSixteenG]

Check the starter relay behind the radio, fuses, and that your power and ground are hooked to your starter. Does your CEL come on and go off when you turn the key to the "ON" position?

Can you turn the engine over by hand?

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-miscellaneous/217951-how-diagnose-no-start.html

 

[drknorris]

Check all the engine grounds, that happened to me when I put the engine in.

 

[marcman804]

Yes the engine will turn over by hand and the check engine light doesn't show at all. What does this mean?

 

[GSXSixteenG]

Turn the key to the "ON" position and watch for the CEL to illuminate, it should come on for approximately 5 seconds and then go off. In addition to watching the CEL, also watch the stock boost gauge, the needle should move halfway up the gauge.

It NEVER lights up: The ECU might have a blown sensor ground or the 20A MOTOR fuse, in the fusebox under the hood, is blown or missing (my friends like taking mine). The 2g ECU sensor ground is Pin 92 (2g ECU Pinout) and can be visually checked by pulling the casing off the ECU and looking at the solder run. Below is a picture of a REPAIRED sensor ground that was blown, thanks ECMLink! You can check continuity with a multimeter between pin 92 and the solder point where the red arrows pointing.

It DOESN'T go off: The ECU has a DTC stored on it and you'll want to hook up a scanner to see what it is.

Post #2 from the link I posted. Glad I found that link for you.

 

[marcman804]

Thanks but will this be the same with a keydiver chip installed in the ecu or does this not matter?

 

[GSXSixteenG]

Thanks but will this be the same with a keydiver chip installed in the ecu or does this not matter?

It should not matter, the CEL should still turn on and off. Do you have power to anything else (like accessories)?

 

[marcman804]

I just pulled the ecu and pin out 92 seems to be fine. Im going to put the ecu back and reconnect the battery and take a pic of the lights that come on the dash. But it seems all the lights come on except the check engine light.

Here is the picture of the lights that come on when I turn the key to the on position.

Here is a picture of the starter... Im trying to figure out if the wire that the arrow is pointing is in fact a ground or positive? I was guessing ground because it is black but I would like to be sure. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Hate to get this far by installing an engine and letting the stupid starter keep from actually starting the car. This is ridiculous!

 

[GSXSixteenG]

Yes, from the picture it looks like it. You shold be able to trace the positive cable right to the battery, as it is not very far from it.

I think your problem is with the ecu, do you have a stock ecu or one your could borrow? This way you can completely rule out the ecu before moving forward. Just because it looks fine, does not mean it is functioning properly.

 

[marcman804]

I figured it out... I feel like a complete ass, it was the battery. It didn't have enough cranking amps or just wasn't putting out enough. I tried the battery out of my GS300 and that wouldn't start it but my buddy took his car and we jump started it and the car came to life. I don't understand how this battery could start my Lexus but not my GST. It has 750 cold cranking amps. What battery do you guys suggest? I see some guys running small batteries and I would love to do the same because its a pita with a big battery all in the way under the hood. Or maybe something is wrong with the starter, I had it on my car roughly 3 months before my engine died and it just sat in the car, could this have killed it?

 

[Nasty Dream]

I figured it out... I feel like a complete ass, it was the battery. It didn't have enough cranking amps or just wasn't putting out enough. I tried the battery out of my GS300 and that wouldn't start it but my buddy took his car and we jump started it and the car came to life. I don't understand how this battery could start my Lexus but not my GST. It has 750 cold cranking amps. What battery do you guys suggest? I see some guys running small batteries and I would love to do the same because its a pita with a big battery all in the way under the hood. Or maybe something is wrong with the starter, I had it on my car roughly 3 months before my engine died and it just sat in the car, could this have killed it?

It looks like it did. If the battery is drained completely for a while, it can kill a battery. IIRC, Optimas can hold a charge much longer.

I have heard the Eclipse eats batteries (like a laundry machine eats socks?)

Hell, a while back I started roll-starting my DSM when I leave, just to see if I can keep the battery alive for an extra year.

Maybe I screwed something up in mine with the wiring (I gutted my car). I don't even have a stereo in mine - at all. No alarm, nothing. And I have to buy a new battery like every 2 years. (Optima lasted 3).

My car sits a lot though, I work at home half the time. Also, I drive 1 mile to the trash dump, then drive 3 miles to the grocery store, then start it up to come back home again.

It never really gets a chance to charge, I figured. So I do all kinds of things now to prevent this issue, like leaving the engine running while I throw my trash at the dump, and roll starting.

What battery do you guys suggest?

Personally? Wal-mart special. It's just going to die anyway. Buy a battery charger for like $35 shipped. Might come in handy in the winter or if you leave your lights on.

 

[1983gsp]

Interstate, in my opinion, manufacture the best battery. Mine lasted over 6 years. What finally did it in was leaving my door halfway shut for a month. The dome light killed it completely. I miss that battery.

 

[marcman804]

Ok thanks, Im going to pick one up on the way home from work.

I bought a battery last night and it did the same thing when I hooked it up. My dad checked it out and of course he solved the problem... Come to find out my power wire had corrosion under the protective shroud or whatever on the wire. Kind of made me feel super stupid, I checked the battery terminals several times and I didnt see it. Thanks for all your help.

 

[godseal]

I kid you not My mom's motorcraft battery lasted 21 years in her van, being daily driven. Anyway I've been running an optima battery for 4 years now in my jeep and that gets the living hell beat out of it, just to testify how strong the optima batteries are.