Starting issue

[petegsx]

Cannot start car with key! The only way I can start the car is, the ignition wire tab on the starter touch it to + on battery. What do you think?

 

[asexton6969]

To confirm, if you turn the key on, the dash lights will come on, But if you turn the key to the start position the starter will not engage? Jumping the starter solenoid, allows it to crank?

 

[petegsx]

The dash lights are on when I turn the key but nothing out of the starter. When I jump the solenoid it cranks/starts. I had motor out, had starter tested 3 times at advance auto parts and 3 times at oreilly and all 6 times it tested good

 

[asexton6969]

What is the YMM? Also do you have a DVOM (multi-meter)?

 

[petegsx]

What is ymm? I have a multimeter. What do I need to check and when I check it what reading should I get?
I hate electrical

 

[weasel1G]

Set the multimeter to volts DC. Ground the black test lead on the multimeter. Touch the red test lead to the small wire going to starter solenoid, and have a friend try to start the car. If you don't see battery voltage when trying to start, could be bad ignition switch, clutch switch, or wiring to starter solenoid.

 

[luv2rallye]

It's either the ignition switch (black-red wire), starter relay, clutch pedal position switch, or wiring/connector.

 

[jim95redgsx]

If this is the 2G in your profile, there is a one wire connector (black/yellow wire) located behind and below the thermostat housing. http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/2g-engine-bay-electrical-connections.298047/page-2#post-151542290
It runs between the engine harness and the starter harness. This carries the start signal from the starter relay (located under the dash behind the radio). Make sure it's plugged in.

It could also be the starter relay or the starter disable switch on the clutch pedal. Try unplugging the starter disable switch. It's the one that engages when the clutch pedal is on the floor.

The starter relay's only purpose is to disable the starter with inputs from the starter disable switch and/or the factory anti-theft system.

Jim

 

[petegsx]

I switched starter relays already. What does it do if I unplug the clutch switch?

 

[jim95redgsx]

If you unplug the clutch switch, it will not send signal to the starter relay to disable the starter. Be careful, the car will start without stepping on clutch pedal (if everything else is working correctly).

Jim

 

[asexton6969]

Everyone above pretty much nailed it - For your information YMM is Year Make and Model. My fault for not noticing your DSM profile too.

 

[petegsx]

I have narrowed it down to a bad clutch switch and the clutch switch wiring. Someone along the line before me looks to have attempted to fix the wiring but didn't do a very good job. I got another clutch switch and pigtail but it's too hot here and it's such a tight spot up in there to fix the wiring.

 

[pauleyman]

If the clutch switch is unplugged car should crank. Thats how most of us bypass the starter safety.

 

[dustyboner]

If the clutch switch is unplugged car should crank. Thats how most of us bypass the starter safety.

this only works for cars with the anti-theft system. cars without it need to connect the wires to the clutch switch.

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[petegsx]

I guess I have anti theft, I unplugged it and it started right up. Thanks everyone for the help, greatly appreciated