Nonstart issues
08-13-16, 08:42 AM
#1
Nonstart issues
So I've had issues with my black Fc not starting for a while, and now the red one is having the same issue. The battery is good, the starter is good, the ignition switch seems to be fine, just other than lights neither of them crank. The black car makes a click sound but the red one makes no audible sounds at all. I've been told so many different things it "could be" with no recommendations on how to FIX it, so I look to you today
08-13-16, 10:04 AM
#3
Start at the root of the diagnostic tree and work your way up.
In this case the first thing I'd do is check the starter on each car.
Trans in neutral, key to ON, bridge the two terminals on the starter (the big one is battery power, the small one is the solenoid)- if the starter spins, you have a problem between the ignition switch and the starter. If it doesn't, you need to fix/replace the starter itself.
("Fix" in this case means replace the brushes, which is cheap and pretty simple and if that doesn't do it, move on to "replace").
Satch has endlessly detailed the electrical path and the likely failure points of the starter circuit and the FSM has schematics and diagnostic procedures to follow. There is nothing particularly weird or unique about the system and finding your problem should be fairly straightforward.
In this case the first thing I'd do is check the starter on each car.
Trans in neutral, key to ON, bridge the two terminals on the starter (the big one is battery power, the small one is the solenoid)- if the starter spins, you have a problem between the ignition switch and the starter. If it doesn't, you need to fix/replace the starter itself.
("Fix" in this case means replace the brushes, which is cheap and pretty simple and if that doesn't do it, move on to "replace").
Satch has endlessly detailed the electrical path and the likely failure points of the starter circuit and the FSM has schematics and diagnostic procedures to follow. There is nothing particularly weird or unique about the system and finding your problem should be fairly straightforward.
08-13-16, 10:45 AM
#5
Originally Posted by misterstyx69
You don't know how many people will curse their car to find a bad battery connection.
Issue for me was the main battery ground to chassis; both the cable and the physical connection. Dirt, grime, corrosion galore!
08-13-16, 10:52 AM
#6
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Battery connection was fine and gave juice but not enough to start the car.
Move the cable and you hear "zzzt"..WHHRRR.
08-13-16, 11:39 AM
#7
Unless otherwise noted, I also assume that the car is in reasonably well maintained condition (i.e., your brake problem is not due to 10 year old fluid).
Neither of these assumptions are valid, as it happens.
It also seems that many people think that because the engine itself is unique, everything else is too. Stuff like the brakes and starter system are Basic Car Design 101 for our era of car. Except for wire color, you could use the info from a 1990 Nissan Sentra manual and probably muddle through...everybody (at least the Japanese) did it the same way (not to mention buying in all the components from the same suppliers).
Not sure what brought this on.
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08-13-16, 12:16 PM
#8
You know, I think what really torpedoes my efficacy as an internet commenter is that I assume that all the easy, basic stuff has been tried before a plea for help.
Unless otherwise noted, I also assume that the car is in reasonably well maintained condition (i.e., your brake problem is not due to 10 year old fluid).
Neither of these assumptions are valid, as it happens.
It also seems that many people think that because the engine itself is unique, everything else is too. Stuff like the brakes and starter system are Basic Car Design 101 for our era of car. Except for wire color, you could use the info from a 1990 Nissan Sentra manual and probably muddle through...everybody (at least the Japanese) did it the same way (not to mention buying in all the components from the same suppliers).
Not sure what brought this on.
Unless otherwise noted, I also assume that the car is in reasonably well maintained condition (i.e., your brake problem is not due to 10 year old fluid).
Neither of these assumptions are valid, as it happens.
It also seems that many people think that because the engine itself is unique, everything else is too. Stuff like the brakes and starter system are Basic Car Design 101 for our era of car. Except for wire color, you could use the info from a 1990 Nissan Sentra manual and probably muddle through...everybody (at least the Japanese) did it the same way (not to mention buying in all the components from the same suppliers).
Not sure what brought this on.
08-13-16, 12:21 PM
#10
There's a Black cable which comes from the main fuse and it drops below the engine fuse box by about a foot where it mates w/a similar cable. These cables take voltage from the battery to the starter. Unplug the cable below the fuse box and clean it. This is one of many things to look at.
08-13-16, 12:49 PM
#11
I totally understand that way of thinking, I am usually the same way (ie: Not asking if you made sure the computer was plugged in) but yes, I've cleaned the terminals, checked the battery, swapped in a new starter, verified it wasn't a clutch issue, and spoken to several members on here before about it. I also had a local shop the does rotary rebuilds tell me they couldn't figure out what my issue was since it was intermittent and they couldn't duplicate it when I drove it there. (black car on that one)
So, taking your initial post at face value, about all that's left is the starter cut relay or the clutch interlock switch.
Have at 'em.
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