My car sometimes doestn want to crank. Not even a click is heard. Nothing. Then a little bit later it works. I replaced the starter todady with a new Hitachi mini starter, it wont crank sometimes. I jumped the starter and it works. It cranked once, and the pinion/flexplate adjustment was off, so i adjusted it. Go to crank again and nothing. I wait 30 min, it cranks.

What could be causing the problem? Ignition switch maybe? What symptoms would the switch casue? How can I test the switch? How hard is it to replace the switch?

Thanks,

Matt

 

test for voltage on both sides of the switch or test continuity through it with a multimeter. It may be the push-rod too, it may have bent enough to not push the switch in all the way.

the switch is under the column, you can probably see it if you get all the way under the dash.

a new switch is probably $10-20, you could get one for next to nothing at the scrap yard too.

I would've said bad ground, but the fact that you can jump-it shows it is obviously on the positive side.

 

Will I have to mess with the steering column at all to get to it?

Thanks,

Matt

 

hows your battery?

 

Right now it sucks. I want to replace it. But it did the same thing when the battery was good, and it does it while being jumped.

 

I had the same problem,my wires were burnt down by the starter.After I replaced them no problem.

 

Don't forget about the transmission shifter Park/Neutral switch. Do you have a volt/ohm meter for troubleshooting?

 

I have no multimeter or voltmeter right now. Mine fried not to long ago, damn cheap POS Anyways, can get a hold of one in a day or 2.

This is what is going on right now though. It started fine yesterday. Started about 5-6 times in a row with no problems. Today it wont start. The battery is fully charged. When I turn the key i get nothing, not even a click. But, the lights will dim and the volt gauge will drop when I turn the key, like it is starting, but there is no sound, no click, no movement at all.

I'm absolutuly confused. The connections are good. I can jump the starter. The battery was on a charger for a while so it should be good. Judging by the lights and the volt guage it is good. So my only guess is the ignition switch, or the neutral safety switch. Every other key position works. Just not start.

Thanks,

Matt

 

What we have here is a failure of the solenoid. The all time most common problem on third gen's. If your lights dim when you turn the switch, your switch is good. If you can bypass the solenoid and it starts then..........your solenoid is bad.

 

Wasnt the soliniod. I just put in a mini starter because i thought at first the stock starter was at fault. Turns out it was the switch. The contacts or spring wore out(the slider was very loose) and the switch itself had come loose on the column so it slid when the key was turned. Got a new one for 25 bucks and it starts fine now.

Thanks for the help.

Matt