2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

very wierd ignition and starting problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 11:55 AM
  #1  
3engineRex's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: phoenix arizona
very wierd ignition and starting problem

i have power going to the ignition switch while the key is in the off position, but as soon as the key is in any other position i loose the power.

i really need to know what the hell is going on here.

thanks

Zack
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 12:28 PM
  #2  
Samps's Avatar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Is your car a manual?

Do you have a factory alarm?
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 12:42 PM
  #3  
3engineRex's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: phoenix arizona
yea its manual, w/ no factory alarm
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 02:51 PM
  #4  
3engineRex's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: phoenix arizona
bump
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 03:52 PM
  #5  
Icemark's Avatar
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
loose connection at the underhood fuse box
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 04:44 PM
  #6  
3engineRex's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: phoenix arizona
i just checked that, and all is good.
i have no grasp on this problem what-so-ever.
i mean it just doest make sense.

its just a circut with a switch. and all that switch does is change the path of the current. i have power in this circut before the switch. when i flip the switch, the power disappears.

battery to the 80A(i always have power on each side of this fuse) main fuse to the ignition switch to the starter to the battery.

the starter(its good ive tested it, autozone and checker have also tested it) is grounded to the engine block, could something else be shorted and grounded to the block causing this circut to short out, say the alternator?
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 04:45 PM
  #7  
3engineRex's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: phoenix arizona
i just feel the need to kill several small furry animals
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 04:46 PM
  #8  
ERAUMAZDA's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 0
From: Daytona beach
sound be the switch its self
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 04:46 PM
  #9  
ERAUMAZDA's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 0
From: Daytona beach
could be the switch its self
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 04:56 PM
  #10  
3engineRex's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: phoenix arizona
i have three switches, all three end the same way
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 04:56 PM
  #11  
Icemark's Avatar
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally posted by ERAUMAZDA
could be the switch its self
Nah, not if it looses voltage before the switch.

Anyway, are you sure you checked the wires were they attach to the 80 amp main fuse.. I have seen those get loose and do exactly what you describe
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 05:36 PM
  #12  
3engineRex's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: phoenix arizona
I pulled them off cleaned them put them back on. and I always get power after the fuse.

I did realize about 5 minutes ago that the ecu is also part of this circut, how do i test for a bad ecu( the ecu is actually in my lap right now)!
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 06:26 PM
  #13  
Icemark's Avatar
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
ECU won't shut off power, it just gets the crank signal
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 06:30 PM
  #14  
Icemark's Avatar
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
how about your ground from the battery too the body???

and you have checked that you don't just have a dead battery by turning on the lights, right???
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 06:52 PM
  #15  
dr0x's Avatar
pei > caek
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,643
Likes: 0
From: Mars
When you turn the switch to ON, do you lose power before and after the 80A fuse?

Or do you constantly have power before/after the 80A fuse, but no power after the switch? Maybe a broken wire?
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
alphawolff
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
17
Nov 17, 2015 05:57 PM
Joe428
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
16
Aug 19, 2015 06:24 PM
gtcd
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
30
Aug 19, 2015 02:44 AM
torky007
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
7
Aug 17, 2015 05:14 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:58 PM.