Strange starting issue

[9 T GSX]

Need some places/ideas to look on this situation. I go to turn the key to start it and it just clicks so i turn it a few more times and same thing, then about the 5th time the starter turns the motor over and starts. Most of the time this is how it will start when it acts up, For the most part though the car will normally start like normal. Then there are times where no matter how many times you turn the key it will not start at all,all you hear is click,click .

Now for the things I've done to try and correct the problem.

1) Turbo timer harness took out the plug n play harness and squeezed down the terminals,(that didn't work so i hard wired it in, soldered all connections).but still didn't fix it.
2) Starter is new (discount brand) i know 3
3) new starter Power/Ground harness (dealer)
4) Cleaned all connections
5) Changed out starter relay under dash in junction block.
6) Took out the anti theft relay
7) New ignition switch harness (dealer)
8) Both coolant sensors are brand new
I think that's all.

I guess i should mention that when it acts up and will not start,to start it in this condition all i have to do is get a jumper wire and put one end on the starter terminal and the other end to positive on battery and it starts right up.

At this point im just about out of options and ideas .

 

[UrN2nd]

well first lets start at whats simple. load test the battery. your battery might be good enough to jump it because the power only has to jump a few inches. but with the starter system power through the fuse box to the ignition to the relay to the soleniod to the starter... it sounds like a stupid idea. somethin that simple is usaully the answer. if not what year and model is it? i have full elecrical schematics

 

[dsmpat95]

I would also check the condition of your wires to your starter.They may have corroted. Just peel back a little bit of the wire to see whitish color or green.

 

[r1991_4g63t]

after re-reading all this it sounds like the ignition switch itself, not the lock cylinder but the electrical part behind it

 

[pj91gsx]

bad connection or bad starter most likely

 

[9 T GSX]

well first lets start at whats simple. load test the battery. your battery might be good enough to jump it because the power only has to jump a few inches. but with the starter system power through the fuse box to the ignition to the relay to the soleniod to the starter... it sounds like a stupid idea. somethin that simple is usaully the answer. if not what year and model is it? i have full elecrical schematics

Battery is new "odyssey PC925",Its is relocated in the hatch though,but it has 0g wire running from front to back for the main power and ground wire with 4g for the fuses etc all in a distribution block.Couldnt hurt to check it anyway.

I would also check the condition of your wires to your starter.They may have corroted. Just peel back a little bit of the wire to see whitish color or green.

]

All the wires going to the starter are new and cleaned no corrosion at all.

after re-reading all this it sounds like the ignition switch itself, not the lock cylinder but the electrical part behind it

I have already replaced the electrical ignition switch on the column,one with 6 wires coming off of it. I did not replace the tumbler etc.

bad connection or bad starter most likely

Beginning to think its the starter as it is a advanced auto starter. Dont think its a bad connection.

 

[r1991_4g63t]

if its the starter causing your problems it wouldnt work when you jumped it either

 

[pj91gsx]

I have an extra starter that works that I dont need. but you can check your starter by taking it off and connecting the positve and negative to the right spots. If it makes movement then its most likely good.

 

[Tim Melton]

It 's probably the starter cylenoid .Replace the starter.

 

[ekips009]

Hey i have this same exact problem with my '74 bmw 2002 and i couldnt buy a new starter because they dont make them anymore, so i go a guy i auto x with to rebuild it for me... he did a great job and when he was finished he painted it. so i installed it and then thats when it started to act up just like that, acouple turns a only a click but sometimes it starts right up... so i called the guy and he said that it could be the ground... so i cleaned the ground wire and it still did it. but he mentioned cleaning the maiting surface to the engine, since he painted it the starter dosnt have any bare medal showing. so thats just an idea, starters are pretty much the same no matter what car so mabey it will work for you and mabey not... Good Luck

 

[pj91gsx]

Hey i have this same exact problem with my '74 bmw 2002 and i couldnt buy a new starter because they dont make them anymore, so i go a guy i auto x with to rebuild it for me... he did a great job and when he was finished he painted it. so i installed it and then thats when it started to act up just like that, acouple turns a only a click but sometimes it starts right up... so i called the guy and he said that it could be the ground... so i cleaned the ground wire and it still did it. but he mentioned cleaning the maiting surface to the engine, since he painted it the starter dosnt have any bare medal showing. so thats just an idea, starters are pretty much the same no matter what car so mabey it will work for you and mabey not... Good Luck

BMW!! Hey, I have one too. a 95 325i though. What you should try to do is take the starter apart and clean it out and regrease everything and test it to see if it works. Sometimes thats the problem.

 

[pj91gsx]

Hey i have this same exact problem with my '74 bmw 2002 and i couldnt buy a new starter because they dont make them anymore, so i go a guy i auto x with to rebuild it for me... he did a great job and when he was finished he painted it. so i installed it and then thats when it started to act up just like that, acouple turns a only a click but sometimes it starts right up... so i called the guy and he said that it could be the ground... so i cleaned the ground wire and it still did it. but he mentioned cleaning the maiting surface to the engine, since he painted it the starter dosnt have any bare medal showing. so thats just an idea, starters are pretty much the same no matter what car so mabey it will work for you and mabey not... Good Luck

BMW!! Hey, I have one too. a 95 325i though. What you should try to do is take the starter apart and clean it out and regrease everything and test it to see if it works. Sometimes thats the problem.

 

[ekips009]

SWEET yeah i love the car it handles so well... but yeah i will give that a try! it seems like im allways working on my eclipse though...