Starter Problems

[JonathanJ52]

Ok First off I own a 97 gst spyder and I live in Wisconsin so I don't drive it during the winter Months... About 2 months ago I put it up for the winter but i forgot to unplug the battery so I try jump start it and nothing... So I buy a new battery and still nothing anyone have any ideals what it may be? I Was thinking maybe starter but is it even possible for it to just go after sitting for a few months??? Thanks

 

[punkak2]

Make sure that your battery teminals are clean. Thats the only thing i can think of off the top of my head

 

[romeen]

When you turn the key does the starter try to crank or is there no response at all?
Are the accessories on the car getting power?

If the accessories are not getting power then the problem is most likely from the battery. Double check all connections (especially the grounds) and make sure they are tight.

If the accessories are getting power then you need to check if power is getting to the starter. Check for voltage at the starter with someone turning the key. If it is getting good voltage then the problem is likely the starter solenoid or starter itself. You can remove it and have it bench tested.

If there is no voltage getting to the starter then the problem may be the starter relay, ignition switch, or clutch kill switch.

If you're not sure where the starter is or unsure how to check for voltage let me know.

 

[JonathanJ52]

When I First tried I tried jumping the car with my jumper cables and when I would crank it it would crank a little then nothing but all of my accessories were working but once I unplugged the jumper cables everything went off. But since then I have bought a new battery

 

[JonathanJ52]

What should I clean off the posts with to make sure I am getting a good connection?

 

[romeen]

If the battery is new then there should be no corrosion on the posts. If there is corrosion on the cable ends/terminals you can clean it with a wire brush. Make sure that the connections at the battery are tight. Sometimes a battery cable can break (usually near the terminal) but you may not see it as it will be hidden by the insulation. You can feel for any defects by SLIGHTLY bending the cable or wiggling it back and forth to check for laxity (do this with negative cable unhooked from battery!)

If the connections are clean, tight and intact and you know that the battery has good voltage (it's new right?) then you need to check if the voltage is making it to the starter. As I stated before the best way is with a voltmeter because it will not only tell you if it is getting power but how much it is getting. It only takes a little bit of current loss between battery and starter to make the starter ineffective.

If the starter isn't doing anything at all and you don't have a voltmeter you can also try "jump starting" it. This is where you take a length of wire and run it directly from the battery's positive terminal to a positive terminal on the starter to see if that will get it going (if it works then the problem lies in the wiring between battery and starter). I won't get into the details of that yet because if you are uncomfortable with any of this then it may be a better idea to have a professional do it since you are dealing with electrical current. Let me know if you want the details on that.

Good luck.

 

[wret]

Sometimes we are too smart for our own good. When I had a starter problem a few months ago, I spent hours troubleshooting voltage and signal and relays, etc., only to eventually find the starter bad and replaced it. Now I recommend just taking the darned thing out and a parts place for a free test. Chances are the starter is the problem. If not, well you are already in a good spot to replace the batter cables and complete your troubleshooting.

 

[JonathanJ52]

So the weather has been pretty nice here so I decided to give it another shot..... I plugged the battery cables up to the new battery and still nothing so I gave it a jump start and it started so it wasn't my starter but when I turned the car off with the jumper cables disconnected the car wouldn't start again so I think I might need to put the ground connection on better or maybe im not get a good ground period... Any suggestions???

 

[1999silverGSX]

- Not Thread JaCkin - I have a Similar problem it happens regardless of the weather. Sometimes i go to start my car and all the accessorie lights go on, but nothing. Sometimes it takes 2-3 trys before it finally starts, sometimes it starts right up. It has been doing this as long as i can remember.

 

[95GSXCO]

could be in the switch itself also, lose wire, maybe even a dead spot in the starter. i would pull it and take it some where and have it tested 3-5 times back to back.

1999silverGSX yours sounds more like it is in the switch itself.

 

[JonathanJ52]

It tuned out to be a loose ground wire car is up and running!!!!!