h23

Well it started yesterday. The car started up fine right away in the morning, then the next time I tried to start it I turned the key and nothing.. Though hmm battery must be dead, so Is wapped in my s14's battery.. Try it with the s14 battery, nothing, no noise what so ever. Second time trying it turns over and starts right up no problem. As it got later in the day it got progressively worse from 2 tried to 3 tries to get it to start up. Today it started up with about 4 tries, and then we shut it down and try... nothing again and this time it won't do it after 50 tries. Feels like the battery is dead, but the lights work, flashers work. First thing I turn to iare the fuses. Not a single is burnt out. Next, the anti theft device. I try doing what it says to do in the book, but it didn't work, so I ruled that out. Now what makes me think the problem is the ignition switch is that we were jiggling the steering wheel around a lot with the key in the ignition, and a light popped on, only for a fraction of a second.. So I'm thinking an exposed wire in the sttering column, or the ignition switch itself?

What do you all think it would be?

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

Corroded signal line to the starter...

RB_eater

iTrader: (1)

The ignition switch wouldn't fail in such a manner. It basicly the key fitting in a plastic slot and turning the switch with it. If that plastic breaks then you would have trouble moving the key in ANY position. Start, accessory, whatever. Ask me how I know.

Try checking the wires instead like J-Rat mentionned.

h23

At the risk of sounding like a newbie (which i am to FC's) how hard would that be to check and fix (the signal line to the starter), and what would I need to buy to fix it?

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

its the smaller wire that connects to the starter via a clip

try to clean it first with carb cleaner

h23

Alright thanks for th help, but if that doesn't work? Where would I buy the new wire? Does it run all the way from the ignition to the starter?

WonkoTheSane

iTrader: (2)

If the wire is broken, then you may have to strip a little bit and crimp/solder a new end to it... they're not too hard to check:

Just put the car up on some jack stands and take a look under the transmission till you find the starter (the small cylinder hanging off the side of the tranny).
There will be two main wires running to it, a large one and a small one. The larger one is the main wire that connects directly to the batter. The small one is the one that J-Rat is referencing, and is held in with a clip. This will most likely be your culprit..

Take that connector off and clean it with an electrical or carb cleaner, scrape/sand the contact part if it's really bad.

Make sure you have a good, solid connection when you slide the clip back on.

This should fix your problem.

h23

Awesome. Sounds easy enough, I'll let you guys know how it works.

h23

Yeah I went at it with carb cleaner and some sand paper, but it did nothing. Still turn the key and nothing.

Just to be sure this wire here:

h23

Today is my only day off for awhile, so someone please help me out asap!

h23

Nevermind I figured it out. It was a bad ground in the ignition.