Weird starting problem that comes and goes.

[Ultimatedsm]

Hey I been having this strange starting problem that comes and goes. Normally I put the clutch down than start the ignition, the starting cranks and boom the car is one right away. However, once in a while when I press the clutch down and try to start the car nothing happens. The car doesn't even turn over or doesn't even click.

I hear the fuel pump coming on but thats it. Its basically like me turning the ignition on without the clutch pedal down. The whole dash just lights up and no crank no nothing. However when I keep doing it, all of the sudden the engine turns and boom the car is on. I do have a turbo timer that was installed by a shop, I have no clue if that can cause that. Anyway any ideas where to start? The battery is competely fine reads 13.8 V's when the car is running and reads 12v when the car is off. Both battery terminals are tight.

Anyway where do you guys think I should start?

 

[Vallary99]

Same problem I have. I think I've got it narrowed down to the ignition switch or the starter selenoid.

 

[bojanglesracing]

i had something like that happen to me, i pulled the starter and found that the selinoid bolts were missing, not saying this is the same problem you are having, but this is a place to start, let me know how you make out

 

[Ultimatedsm]

Could it be that clutch safety switch going bad or something? I just tested my car again and it turned on 5 times in a row without any problems. This starting problem only happens once in a while.

 

[DSMDirkah]

Try by-passing the clutch safety switch for a while and see what happens. I am thinking that's your problem but it's hard to tell through the internet

 

[bojanglesracing]

i though the same thing i bypass it and it still happen

 

[luv2rallye]

Try by-passing the clutch safety switch for a while and see what happens. I am thinking that's your problem but it's hard to tell through the internet

You disable the clutch safety switch by disconnecting it, not bypassing or shorting it. The CSS (when pedal is pressed) activates the starter relay which actually DISABLES the starter circuit. The starter is enabled when the starter relay is NOT activated (uses the normally closed contacts). Of course your problem may also be the starter relay (if the normally closed contacts are not working).

 

[Ultimatedsm]

This morning trying to start the car samething happend. I don't think its the clutch safety switch because I hear the pump come on. This is what I did, I held it in start for 3 seconds than I heard a few clicks in the center dash area. First I thought it was my ECU but than I unbolted it and put it on the floor while still plugged in. I try starting it again and the ECU wasn't clicking but the noise still came from the center dash area, I am guessing thats a relay or something. After 5 minutes of trying to crank, the starter finally turned and started.

Another problem was when my father was driving the car. He was doing 70 kph and suddenly the car turned off. Than because of the stupid starting problem he couldnt get it to start. So he rolled the car down to a parking lot and my sister picked him up. They call me about the problem and I went down to see what is going on. Anyway, I got in the car and same stupid problem, the car wont start or crank while trying to continuely going in the start position with the key. I kept turning the ignition off and on, off and on. And all of the sudden the car started (5-10 minutes). I drove the car back without any kind of problems. The car never died on me on the run before so I have no clue what that could be. When trying to turn on the car the dash lights up normally but no reaction to the starter. I think a bad solonoid can cause this as well. Anyway, any ideas will help right now. Thanks a lot guys.

Jesse

 

[95-talontsi]

Try changing the starter

 

[Ultimatedsm]

Yeah thats possible, next time the car doesnt start I'll wack the soloid and see if it works. But the car turning off on him while going 70 kph isn't a starter related problem.

 

[95-talontsi]

Ya the car turning off is wierd. Maybe check the power wire to the starter and making sure its not grounding out on somthing

 

[jameswemm]

pull the cover off the ecu and check for leaking caps.i dont know if they still had that problem in 95 ,but when my ecu went the car did similar things.just random junk.it turned out to be the ecu.

 

[bojanglesracing]

did you cheak the bolts on the soloid

 

[Ultimatedsm]

I am going to check this stuff and get back to you guys on an update. Thanks so far for helping.

 

[Ultimatedsm]

I turned off my turbo timer and so far so good. If the starting problem doesnt happen to me after 2-3 weeks, that was it right there.

 

[tsunari]

So whatever came of this? I have a similar starting problem and BELIEVE I have narrowed it down to a faulty (dying) starter solenoid.

For me, it happens more often when I try to remote-start the engine. However, when it happens while using the key, if I cycle from ON-START-ON-START . . . several times, it will eventually give-in and start up.

The clicking I hear is coming from the engine bay (the starter most likely)

 

[daghstdrummer]

i have essentially the same problem... my 95 gs will randomly turn off but will usually start right back up.. but last night it turned off 4 times... 2x on the highway rolled for a few hundred feet and fired up.. this morning.. it cranks but don't start.. i hear the fuel pump, but when i crank it the tach don't move at all and i know the engine is turning because i hear the starter.. any advise can help.. but i also am beginnning to think its the ecu...

oh.. my car is really unmodded, cold air intake and header back exhaust..