Starter engages but does not turn over

[98SpyderGSX]

Hey guys, Im pretty new to the mechanics of a dsm, I currently have a 98 spyder GS-T. Right now I am having several problems, the first and foremost is the not starting issue. So the battery is good and even jumping it with 4gauge cables does not change the symptoms. so when i turn the key the starter engages but does not spin. there is a sound coming from the ecu, dont know why that is and that is why i am here, dont really want to replace the ecu if i dont have to but just curious if anyone else has heard of this. I just bought a new starter relay just in case but i dont believe that to be the problem. I was able to jump the starter and it did turn over that way. now i also just realized that the wipers stopped working in all modes but fast, dont know if thet comes from the ecu or not. now the sound in the ecu sounds almose like a relay just poping back and fourth. Now I am 2000 miles away from home until june 22nd, so i wont actually be able to so any trouble shooting until then but just would like to get some ideas to narrow it down for when i get home from deployment. thanks for the help.

P.S. i know my user name is spyder gsx, but i have not actually done the swap, still contiplating if I should or not.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

Are you sure the sound is coming from your ecu? The starter relay is located in the general area too and that is where I would think you problem lies. It is located behind the radio on the passenger side, close to, but above the ecu.

You can see it here...http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=107898&d=1269647021

Here's a good explaination of which wires go where on the relay and what they do.http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/376381-unique-starter-relay-problem.html#post152266463

 

[Ikeelyou]

A few more details and I'll try to help you sort out this mess. First of all is it an automatic or manual trans? and with or without anti-theft? And also by looking at your wiring diagram for your car I can see that your wiper issue is in NO WAY related to your ECU. I can help you with that too. A couple of things you will need if you dont have them already a multimeter and some back probing pins (I personally use t-pins from the sewing section at Wal-mart).

 

[Gt Boost]

Had same issue with the starting problem try to replace the crank sensor and it should start up.

 

[96ETT]

Another issue I had with my 96 awd was the black connector that goes to the starter solenoid on top the starter kept coming loose. First time it happened I went through most of the steps you have, including trying to jump it. It is just hidden under the intake manifold that you may forget to check it, but get a flashlight and get in there.

 

[Ikeelyou]

So whatever happened on this issue? Did you still need help?

 

[98SpyderGSX]

Are you sure the sound is coming from your ecu? The starter relay is located in the general area too and that is where I would think you problem lies. It is located behind the radio on the passenger side, close to, but above the ecu.

You can see it here...http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=107898&d=1269647021

Here's a good explaination of which wires go where on the relay and what they do.http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/376381-unique-starter-relay-problem.html#post152266463

Yes I know that it is not the starter relay, I pulled it out and that was not making the noise i pulled out the ecu and that is where the clicking is coming from.

A few more details and I'll try to help you sort out this mess. First of all is it an automatic or manual trans? and with or without anti-theft? And also by looking at your wiring diagram for your car I can see that your wiper issue is in NO WAY related to your ECU. I can help you with that too. A couple of things you will need if you dont have them already a multimeter and some back probing pins (I personally use t-pins from the sewing section at Wal-mart).

I Have a manual with a viper alarm

Had same issue with the starting problem try to replace the crank sensor and it should start up.

you say that you had the same problem, did you starter engage but not turn over, because i have read about the crank sensor and everyone said that the starter did nothing at all?

Another issue I had with my 96 awd was the black connector that goes to the starter solenoid on top the starter kept coming loose. First time it happened I went through most of the steps you have, including trying to jump it. It is just hidden under the intake manifold that you may forget to check it, but get a flashlight and get in there.

I put this starter in back in january because the owner before me stripped the whole on the last starter and decided to put in a thnner bolt and a nut and in time the old starter started to move around and not catch. But this does sound like it might be the problem, or at least something to do with wiring. I was reading on a cobra forum and several people have had this same exact problem and they sait it was a bad ground from the battery to the frame/engine. I get home tommorow night and I am going to address the ground issue then this wire that you are talking about next. Thanks for the help guys, I will let you know what I figure out this weekend!

 

[talon2gbuyer]

Hm.. sounds like an anti-theft issue to me. Did this start happening after you put in the alarm system? if not installed correctly alarm systems can immobilize a vehicle (because thats the whole point of having one).

 

[98SpyderGSX]

Hm.. sounds like an anti-theft issue to me. Did this start happening after you put in the alarm system? if not installed correctly alarm systems can immobilize a vehicle (because thats the whole point of having one).

No the alarm was already in when i bought the car back in 2009

truns out i was wrong, it was not the ecu clicking, it was a relay (E8T101) there is 2 and it is the top one thats clicking. I just got home today and havent had too much time to figure it out today, just thought i would throw out that quick update. I checked the grounds and the wires going to the starter and everything seems on the up and up? im going to pull the starter out tommorow and do a full benck test on it just to make sure.

 

[MHuddy1213]

ive ran into this problem before on a previus car not a dsm but it would do the same thing i thought it was something besdies the starter since it would try and turn the car over found out the starter would try to start the car but didnt have enough power to turn over the motor put a new starter in and never had the problem again

 

[98SpyderGSX]

Well I appoligize for all this thread. I refused to believe that it was the starterbecause of how recently i put this one in, but low and behold it was the starter. the starter if fine and so is the sylonid but the relay attached to the back of the sylonid went bad, the terminal where the positive cable goes is loose and so is the entire relay its self. when i jumpered it in the car with a screw driver it bypassed the relay therefore worked, duh! , well all this bull shit just to find myself back where i started. well thanks for the troubleshooting help guys.

ps the wiper issue was just that i did not get one of the connectors in the dash plugged in all the way. this is what happens when you try to troubleshoot a problem with no time, was just rushing myself ixed before the navy sent me away for a while!

 

[JPringels]

apologies for reviving an ancient thread, but im having similar issues with my 96 manual tsi, its been a reoccuring issue and at first it was the starter S terminal had fallen off, after i replaced it it was fine. now it seems that it has a bad starter as well similar to 98spydergsx. ive replaced the factory grounds and terminal ends with 4g stinger wire and new battery terminals as well as a fresh charge on the battery. it will do nothing but turn on lights, a small click from the relay inside if i remember right but no crank no nothing.

BUT- will crank over just fine with a jump pack or charger hooked up. thats the confusing bit. belts are squealing like horrible after a jump start though, wondering if the alternator is getting over taxed..

i also have a battery light on after removing the charger/jump pack off of the terminals. worst case im thinking starter and alternator... any input would be great

 

[Vegas Smith]

Are you sure the battery is good? Might be a bad battery that isn't taking a charge. belts may not be tight enough, hence the squeaking, so maybe it's not giving a good charge.

 

[luv2rallye]

it will do nothing but turn on lights, a small click from the relay inside if i remember right but no crank no nothing.

BUT- will crank over just fine with a jump pack or charger hooked up.

i also have a battery light on after removing the charger/jump pack off of the terminals. worst case im thinking starter and alternator... any input would be great

Weak battery (needs replacement) and/or alt isn't putting out. After jumping battery to get it started, remove jumpers and measure voltage at battery.