Yeah, its a problem thats been happening for a while. Although its been a solid month since it happened, the other day it did it to me again. I parked it, then when I went back out to it, I turned the key, and everything went as it normally did except no action from the starter (ie temp gauge pegs, etc etc)...then I go inside, came back outside about 10 minutes later, and it started again, and has been fine since. It did this to me a couple of years ago, then again about two and a half months ago, then again last week....any ideas?????

 

Until you either get "lucky" and catch the problem at the right time, or the problem gets more consistent, it may be difficult to diagnose.

If you can get teh no-start to occur, try to move the transmission shift selector without releasing the ignition lock cylinder/key. This can be difficult in itself, since most of us operate the lock right-handed. Also, you can try to adjust the tilt position of the steering column while holding the key. If either causes an attempt at starting, you will help isolate the problem.

 

My car is doing this...

DId it once about 4 years ago at a gas station. After a while waiting on a tow truck, it started up.

I changed my injectors a few weeks ago. Got everything together, cranked it up...fixed vacuum leaks...cranked it up again and let it idle for a while. Idling fine...watching it from afar and it cut off. No big deal I thought. Cranked it back up and pulled it out of garage. Turned car off to get some stuff together to go to track that day for some testing. Turned key, and nothing. Turned key again....nothing. Turned key again...cranked up. Drove it around block few times to makes sure car running ok, pulled back into the driveway and turned car off. NOW...it hasn't started up at all since. Nada. when turning key to crank...No click, just as original post here...brake light comes on and the temp gauge pegs to the right. Nothing else moves or comes on. Voltmeter guage doesn't move either. Same with battery charger hooked up.

I have taken off starter and taken to parts store where the clerk "hot wired" it to battery to show that starter was engaging fine when it got power. Said I'm not getting power to starter some how. I hooked starter back up and "re-wired" the connections. No change in start condition.

I bought a new ignition switch (at base of steering column). Actually took off ignition switch "halfway" and reconnected...thinking I better check starter 1st before swapping ignition switch.

Moving the gear shift and moving the steering column while key turned for cranking netted no results.

Suggestions?
Swap the ignition switch or try something else?

I'm moving in two weeks. Need this car to move under its own power.

 

can you hear your fuel pump turning on and does the engine light come on?

when key turned to the on position not cranking

 

I can hear the pump prime when turning key on.
The engine light comes on also.

Turn to start and the car does not crank.

I have been able to get it to turn-over by:
1) screwdriver across terminals on starter
2) grounding out the solid green wire going from/to starter relay
3) disconnecitng starter relay and paperclip connecting the smaller yellow wore to the green/white wire

Will turn over by the above, but does not fire...

 

Sounds like a vats issue, my 89RS has had this problem three times now. Had to have key switch replaced each time. Wires break right at switch. Mounted last one under colum and use old switch to crank. Tilt colums help cause this problem. If your key has a chip I would check vats system.

 

i had the same problem. my car would click but nothing would happen...after i had the starter replaced its been fine. maybe thats it

 

I fixed mine by eliminating VATS and bypassing starter relay.

 

when your starter gets too hot the resistance in the starter doubles therfore current cannot flow cause of the high resistance. but when the starter cools the resistance returns back to normal allowing current to flow easily and effectly.

 

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My car had a remote starter installed at some point in its history, and when I replaced the tumbler in the steering column i noticed the two little orange wires which had a plug on the end were not in use on the old one...apparently that pass-key garbage circuitry was bypassed for the remote start...so I cut it off on the new one as well, and everything was fine. Maybe I'll just run down the list of things to check and see if any of them are having problems...