[RESOLVED] Trouble Starting - Diagnosis Help

[DSM4me44]

I will try to give as much details as I can. The duration of this problem seems to be for almost the life of me owning this car. Certain things make this better and then it gets worse again.

It seems when I use my key to start my car, most of the time it does nothing but turn everything on, but doesn't engage the starter. All I hear is clicks from the radio.

I replaced the ignition switch a few times in the last year, it seems like this CURES the problem, but only for a short time.

I replaced my ENTIRE streering wheel column out about a month and a half ago, new ignition switch, etc. Worked fine for awhile.

Now I am back to where I CAN remote start my car but I CAN'T seem to get it to crank by using the KEY. Any suggestions? I swear, it sounds like the ignition switch is going bad again, but that would blow my mind.

 

[luv2rallye]

Perhaps you have a partial short in the starter solenoid circuit (from ignition key down to starter solenoid) which draws so much current it's burning out the ignition switch. Try unplugging the ignition switch and measure resistance to ground on the starter wire (black-red) and/or measure it's voltage while connected and cranking.

You could also try testing the starter relay by removing it and checking if any pins are shorted together (pins 1 & 3 should have normal coil resistance however).

 

[Lofer]

Check all your all ground wires as well.

 

[DSM4me44]

You could also try testing the starter relay by removing it and checking if any pins are shorted together (pins 1 & 3 should have normal coil resistance however).

Heres the thing, since it fires right up with a press of a button (remote start), that should rule out a relay, correct? I thought about it being a relay issue, however, the fact it does remote start fine, I tossed the idea out.

The remote start wires are tapped in right before the ignition switch. It does have to travel thru a turbo timer wireing harness. Would that have an affect on anything you think?

I will check the back of the ignition switch to check the resistance.

I have ruled out most everything only for the simple fact that it only gives me an issue when using the key and not the push start.

 

[luv2rallye]

Yes the TT may be interfering. Also the remote start depends on exactly how they wired it. If they connected their own relay right to the starter black-yellow wire that would bypass the starter relay. You can test if it's the starter relay by temporarily removing it and placing a jumper wire between one of it's black-red wires to it's black-yellow.

 

[DSM4me44]

The cause was a bad ignition switch yet once again. This would be at least my 3rd in one year. I couldn't believe it but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it had to be bad.

I put in an Advanced Auto Parts one this time, before I was running Auto Zone (Duralast) ones. Plus you get a year warrenty with the AAP ones. Hopefully it stays fixed for awhile.

Thanks for the help guys.