Starter Issue? No Crank

[XiKeiyaZI]

Alright guys... I've been working on this 1.8 - 2.0 swap for a little bit now and I'm down to this problem : The Damned thing won't start.

What I've Done : I've made sure the harness is wired correctly. All sensors and the ECU are plugged up snuggly.... and as many grounds as possible have been locked in.

Issue : When I got it all back together, I attempted to start the car with a battery that I had. The Battery was weak so we jumped the car. The Engine turned over very slowly, as if the battery did not have enough power. So after fusing with it until it was dark, I called it a night.

The next day I walked out, slapped a fully charged battery in, wired it up, and thought " YAY! It's finally going to pur! " Well... I turned the key, got the lights and heard the fuel pump engage. Hit the clutch (Tranny is not in, mind you) and turned the key to start it. I got a loud Click, and then the starter started to click.

Upon inspection, I had a friend try to start it... The starer would engage the flywheel, move it about a hair.. and then click, not able to move the flywheel. I got a little worried, whipped the starer out and was able to turn the motor by hand (and of course it wasn't easy.) So That negated the engine being seized.

Now, I KNOW that I wired the spark plugs wrong the first time as I forgot that the coil is numbered 4-1-2-3. I fixed that though. I have to admit, though, that I don't think that the firing order would cause the starter to lose power.

I looked at the starter and noticed that I could spin the teeth both ways, it never locked. I sat it down and went inside to check in my manual for anything I'd missed. During this venture, my friend TOOK THE STARTER apart. I then learned the hard way that you have to be very presice to puet them back together as the 3 little clips at the top are spring loaded. Speaking of those clips, one was badly carved into a moon shape.

I wired the started back up, turned over the key, same thing. I can hear a click from the area of my ECU before I start it... but the damned starter won't turn the flywheel. It was working one day, though barely, and then today it won't budge, just clicks.

Could it be the a sensor? Or is the starer just bad?

I don't have ready access to NET full time as I just finished moving, so if you'd like to text or even CALL I'd appreciate some experience input. I've worked long and hard to get this thing where it is, and I just want to release the sigh of reliefe when it finally fires up.

Thank you.

;D 870-476-3029 The name is Kei!

 

[poonman]

Very easy thing to do my friend. Take your starter to Autozone. They can test your starter with a load, on the spot. If you can take a socket and turn the engine over by hand but the starter cant. That sounds to be your problem. If you need anymore help, Just aks my friend. I have alldata, I can give you any info you need for that car.

 

[sandiballs287]

well before you go through the trouble of taking your starter in, have you ever heard of beating your starter. well dont beat it, just hit alittle bit with a hammer or a wrench. your solenoid might be stuck. then try to turn it over. if that doesnt work just take it in.

 

[nlzn]

You said the transmission was out?

There's a ground strap for the starter harness that grounds out at one of the bell housing bolts.

May or may not be the issue, I just wanted to make you aware of such.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Haha. Hitting it sounds fun. I'll try that and then test it. Also I was wondering about that ground, so could I ground it to the body and it work jusr the same?

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

I grounded it and hit the L shaped connection with a hot cable off of the battery. The starter shot out but did not spin. Is this bad or good?

 

[Talon64]

You try the starter by itself to see if it spins? If not I would look for a new starter or borrow one from a friend

 

[Napster]

I'm in Pocahontas an may have a spare starter laying around. ill check and see.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Hey man, that'd be great! If you're not him, you must know chris johnson? He lives there as well. Hah, nice friend of mine. But if you have one, I'll meet you tonight and grab it. You can reach me at the above number.

 

[BoostedBeaver]

Did the starter ever fix your problem and did you ever have yours tested

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

I just went and picked another up last night. I'll try it out in a little while and post the results. Gonna grab a multi meter as well.

 

[nlzn]

Yes that strap should be able to be grounded @ any suitable ground location (unpainted body would be fine).

It's also possible the starter body itself may need to be grounded when bolted down to the bellhousing. Thats a possible reason it shot out and stopped spinning.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Yes that strap should be able to be grounded @ any suitable ground location (unpainted body would be fine).

It's also possible the starter body itself may need to be grounded when bolted down to the bellhousing. Thats a possible reason it shot out and stopped spinning.

That's a good point. So would it be better to just go ahead and mount my tranny and THEN try it? I've heard it both ways... which would be more ideal?

So far, testing three starters, all of them shoot out and don't spin. They do have quite a bit of power, save for the first one, however they don't engage. Perhaps I'm not testing it right.

I haven't gotten home today to try out the new one, so bare with me until I do that. I just want it to turn over a few good times ad I'll be happy.

On a Good note, the Fuel pump is working.I disconnected th fuel return line and it had a bit of fuel in it. ;D

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

That's a good point. So would it be better to just go ahead and mount my tranny and THEN try it? I've heard it both ways... which would be more ideal?

So far, testing three starters, all of them shoot out and don't spin. They do have quite a bit of power, save for the first one, however they don't engage. Perhaps I'm not testing it right.

I haven't gotten home today to try out the new one, so bare with me until I do that. I just want it to turn over a few good times ad I'll be happy.

On a Good note, the Fuel pump is working.I disconnected th fuel return line and it had a bit of fuel in it. ;D

1 : The starter is good... It cranks right over with plenty of power. Of course It had to be a ground issue as it worked perfectly once the grounds were ran correctly and the Tranny was up

2 : I lied... I can get no power to the fuel pump....=.=; Next issue to tackle I suppose... I'm about ready to toss this junker into a ditch with a for sale sign.