Starting issues - No / Doesn't / Won't Start - MERGED

[prodsm]

All "my car won't start" discussion threads are merged HERE. We've basically made it easier for those who insist upon not searching by grouping together all threads from those with similar issues so you can just scroll through and see some possible solutions. To search for info within this thread, use the "Search This Thread" feature in the black bar about 3" above what you're reading right now.

Could be anything from a loose battery terminal to internal engine damage, and literally everything in between which may involve the electrical, fuel, and ignition system...possibly even something that you screwed up while working on the car yourself. While it's unlikely we're going to diagnose and solve your problem over the internet, feel free to discuss any possible solutions.



I live in Canada and right now its not very warm out, about -30c
my car does not have a block heater too keep it warm.

I tryed to start my car this morning and it wouldent start, ive had this problem before but this time, the car doesnt crank at all it just makes a sound that sounds like an electric drill.

Whats wrong.

Thanks

 

[sahmmy]

Def sounds like the alternator. Also check the post on the alternator. Had a few cars where the post was cracked and it just wasn't making enough connection. Just a thought.

 

[luismaster7]

alright guys thanks for the info. I'll check the wires and then see whats up.
Also will a regular factory 75 amp alternator be sufficient incase i do need to change it?

 

[PFC_CiarlilloM]

Car:
1995
Eagle
Talon ESi

Okay so long story short is that I drove my car roughly 40 miles to my buddies house because he wanted to see the ride. Well the drove went great and had no problems. I got there parked my car and went to go start it up and nothing happened. I thought oh great left something on since my battery is from 01/08(only thing I haven't replaced from previous owner) but I didnt leave anything on. We tried jumping it and nothing won't happen. I also put his battery in my car.. Nothing. It won't even turn over but the lights and radio come on.

Maintenance I've done to it since I had it(4 months)

Spark plugs
Tranny flush
Oil/filter change
Radiator flush
Fuel filter
Battery terminal connectors
CAI
full exhaust (headers back)

 

[Chicken Patty]

Car:
1995
Eagle
Talon ESi

Okay so long story short is that I drove my car roughly 40 miles to my buddies house because he wanted to see the ride. Well the drove went great and had no problems. I got there parked my car and went to go start it up and nothing happened. I thought oh great left something on since my battery is from 01/08(only thing I haven't replaced from previous owner) but I didnt leave anything on. We tried jumping it and nothing won't happen. I also put his battery in my car.. Nothing. It won't even turn over but the lights and radio come on.

Maintenance I've done to it since I had it(4 months)

Spark plugs
Tranny flush
Oil/filter change
Radiator flush
Fuel filter
Battery terminal connectors
CAI
full exhaust (headers back)

Does the motor turn over, or does it just not do anything at all?

 

[turbodude]

could be allot of different things here.... perhaps your starter is not getting voltage due to a loose connection or faulty relay. See if your getting 12volts at the starter wire at the ignition switch harness (Black with red stripe) when your key is in the start position. or, maybe your clutch safety switch got stuck and though your clutch is depressed the switch is still stuck in. Just shot's in the dark here.... But little easy things you can check.

 

[PFC_CiarlilloM]

@chicken patty it doesn't do anything at all

@turbodude Ill have to get a voltmeter because mine is at home but thanks!

 

[turbodude]

No problem... I doubt it's anything major like a fried ECU or something. Probably just something minor that's a quick easy fix....

 

[eSCAPEist_]

+1 @ChickenPatty's question, what does it do when you ty to start it, in detail? I had this problen a while back where it didnt do anything at all (no crank, no turn over, or anything except a tiny click from the starter). After battery check was fine, Got my starter checked and it was fine, while starter was off I checked if I could spin the flywheel to see if the engine was locked up but it spun, then I layed down under the driver's side dash and saw that a small plastic nub was missing from the back of my clutch pedal because it had busted into tiny pieces on to my floor board all from wear. I just electrical taped one of the bigger pieces, that I had left from the broken nub, back on to the back of the clutch pedal's arm, until I can pull one out of a junkyard that is. That nub is what presses the starter safety switch (as @turbodude stated) located behind your clutch that activates your starter for crank. check that out ASAP. The craziest things happen to our DSM's, and usually it's the ones that skip your mind first.

 

[PFC_CiarlilloM]

Well its an auto. I forgot to add but I found out the problem. I blew the engine fuse in the fuse box under the hood. Check everything major and not slmething little. Thankfully my car had a 30 amp special fuse for it in the power windows slot even though my car doesn't have it. I'm glad because it was around 10pm:

Well, now I thought I had resolved the issue but I just blew the Engine Fuseable Link/Relay (under the hood) 3 times today.

I bought a cheap battery yesterday from walmart to see if that was the issue (group 26) before I found the blown fuse. I used the fuseable link/relay from the power windows and she started up just fine.

I drove it home last night, then started her up again this morning no problem, went to start it later today and she wouldnt start. I replaced the fuse with a brand new one and she blew the two new ones along with the one last night.

I am unsure where to start to look for the problem. Any ideas?

 

[tony070804]

Ok so I did research it first and found one topic in tech electrical that has the same problem, but everything they are saying to try I have already done.


1st of all Im completely new to the DSM, and turbo world.

So heres whats going on, turn the key and you get a click from a relay behind the radio (left one) which Im thinking is the starter relay. Also a click from a square box under the hood with Greddy on it and vacuum lines,bout the size of a rubiks cube, im guessing this is the boost controller? other than that nothing! everything works lights, radio, etc. but will not turnover at all or crank. push start it and it tries to crank. hooked up a push button to the posts on the starter and the starter will engage. changed out plugs, starter, starter relay, and ignition switch. not cylinder just the switch. I tried to jump the posts in the clutch switch plug, but nothing changes. Im at a loss here and dont know exactly where else to look. I need help!!!!!!

Also I just bought the car and it sat from previous owner for a year because of this problem.

one more thing, I dont know if this matters or is right, but I cant hear the buzz like on other cars coming from the fuel tank when you turn the key on and the fuel pump engages. Is this normal on a DSM car?


Please help need my GSX back on the road!!!!!!

UPDATE- crossed over starter relay and now the car will turn over. checked spark and I have spark, now I have no fuel. Can anyone tell how to bypass the fuel pump relay and exactly which one it is? also maybe the mpi relay?

 

[beendenied]

So it's turning over fine? just not actually starting? Maybe you're not getting fuel. Do you have a picture of this device you're referring to.

 

[InfinitePerform]

^ he said nothing but a click .. I have had the same problem and it was fixed with the mpi relay ... also check your wiring behind the radio a web of my ground wires where damaged.

 

[beendenied]

He said it tries to crank, I may have read it wrong. This has happened kind of to me, happens when I don't secure my battery cables fully. Or dead battery. But you have a point, a bad Mpi/mfi relay could be the culprit.

 

[tony070804]

it only tries to crank if push started. If i try with the key i only get a click.

@infiniteperform where is the mpi relay? and would that affect the starter not engaging?

 

[beendenied]

If you were to pull the passenger side left kickpanel (right side below radio), you'll see a little gold box with two bolts holding it down. There's a way to test voltage on it, I will retrieve the link!

EDIT: not just testing, but a whole thread
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/263224-mfi-mpi-relay.html

 

[Abe'sGST]

It could be an electrical problem or even a fuel problem, my guess is that you may not be getting fuel

 

[tony070804]

will the mpi relay affect the car turning over? i mean the car wont do anything, just the click

 

[beendenied]

No, the only time I've gotten a "click" on starting, was when my battery was dead, or dying. But I am going to assume that you already checked that. Maybe the push button start is somehow bypassing the key ignition.

 

[JAX2Ganey]

Check your battery and alternator. Thats the first thing you shouldve done before assuming anything else.

 

[miguelmcv]

Check your terminals.

Check all grounds.

Clean every single spot where the cables at the Tranny, Fire Wall and battery.

It might be just a bad connection.

 

[tony070804]

new battery. New starter. if I push start the car and getting to start it runs fine, when I say push button start im talking bout the equivilent to crossing the starter over with a screwdriver. everything works with key on lights, radio etc. when you try to start though you get a click from the starter relay and thats it. wont turn over, wont crank, wont do anything else. does anyone know for sure on the 95 gsx how the clutch safety switch works? can I bypass it? and how would the mpi relay affect the car from turning over or would it?

 

[deviousgst]

Just disconnect the harness which is right next to clutch pedal. I had same exact problem. I tried new starter, battery and Nothin. I ended up cleaning up the battery terminals and secured them really good and fired right up

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[miguelmcv]

Just disconnect the harness which is right next to clutch pedal. I had same exact problem. I tried new starter, battery and Nothin. I ended up cleaning up the battery terminals and secured them really good and fired right up

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

X 2 on this

After disconnecting the Clutch connector, If it doesn't work, Check all grounds,, If it doesn't work, Then Definitely is your Relay (Test your Relay).

 

[tony070804]

ive tried just unplugging the clutch switch and still nothing. do I need to place a jumper on the plug for the clutch switch to cross the terminals? what relays exactly do I need to check? the starter relay has been replaced and clicks everytime i turn the key.

 

[miguelmcv]

Have you clean sand all the ground spots (tranny, firewall and Battery).

Also check you Cables, They can be rusted inside and cause some issues.

The Relay I was talking about is, the Starter Relay, But if you all ready changed it, then your relay might be not your problem.

You can test it any ways to see if it is working properly.

But, My bet is, your ground points are rusted or not making good contact, and the Terminals that Are not in good shape.

Did you disconnect the wright clutch switch?.

Here is a link on how to disable the start clutch switch.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/dri...tarter-cutout-switch-thing-merged-10-6-a.html

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-drivetrain/192617-how-disable-clutch-start-switch.html