a few months ago - a friend attempted to install a stereo for me (didnt have one when i bought the car) - huge mistake! no idea how - or why - but when he pulled the harness out through the stereo cut out - he cut way too much and then my ignition was dead. to get it started - he hard wired a start switch on my dash - not soo bad - took it to a shop and had the stereo installed - no prob - however, on my way home, she wouldnt start after i stopped for gas! now - i have nothing when i turn the key - have checked the fusable link - fuse is fine - someone told me to bypass the cellanoid to check the starter - I am blind in all of this because i know minimal and am relying too hard on my guy friends to try and fix this - but o would love to figure it out for myself! any help would be awesome =)

 

First, check your friends wiring and make sure it is all still intact, and not disconnected from your start switch. Checking the solenoid on your starter isn't exactly easy, and there are plenty of wrong methods which will work lol. You can hit it with something hard, like a hammer, which may free it up, but good luck getting a hammer in there. You can use a screwdriver to arc the ends of the starter solenoid, and risk shocking yourself in the process, and possibly damaging your electrical system. Or you can swap out the starter, and if it works thats your problem. I'd check the wiring first though, and if thats the problem, then remove all of it, and return your vehicle to key start.

 

Thanks for your quick reply! i know there are issues with the wiring to the switch - it actually burned up at the battery terminal and i tried to rig it with electrical tape just to see if that was the problem - i believe that the wiring he used was really not a thick enough guage for what it was used for - the awful part is that i had an appt scheduled to take it to a shop the following weekend to have the entire switch pulled and the ignition-starter wired properly so i could get it to start with the key again!! and now i can't even get it there. i will try replacing the starter - im thinking that is probably what it is - and then once i can get her started she will be visiting the shop!

 

If the wire is burning up, then definitely replace the wiring first, before replacing starter. Even if it means getting the car towed to the shop, it may save you the money in a brand new starter and starter install.

 

Thanks so much! I didn't really think about that easy fix to try first! =) and i can do that myself!

 

Remember to disconnect the negative battery terminal before doing any electrical on your car, and I hope it all works out!