Ok, here's how it is. I just recently bought my 86FC n/a.
The car is going to be for the track and right now I'm working on getting it running reliably plus I'm stripping the interior.

What happened? Well, the car used to run (when it was warm outside). Now, I pulled out the heater core (I think thats what that big fan thing behind the glove compartment is called) and when I turn the key... no crank! Plus, all the warning lights come on.

I tried pulling out the fuse for the heater, plus unplugging the main harness for it, but to no avail. Does this mean my car needs the heater core to run? Or is there some way to get around it? Any help/ideas will be greatly appreciated.

 

I don't know what's the matter with your car, but it's not because of the heater core. All the lights on means something with the alt I believe, but don't remember. Search around about that.

 

My guess is, you knocked something loose when you were removing your heater fan.

 

hmmmm, So it's not the heater core? That's a relief.

It happened after I charged my battery. Maybe it has something to do with that?

Also, I removed my sterio and speakers. Could this somehow effect it?

 

Does the starter turn the motor but the motor won't start and run?

Or does the starter not even turn?

I agree with J-Rat. Start looking for wires that you may have accidently broken or disconnected.

 

The starter does not turn at all. I tried tapping it as it duz get stuck sometimes. I also borrowed my friends starter but we have no idea if his worked to begin with. I will definately look for loose wires.

Thanks for all the help so far, this forum is a big help. Please keep the posts coming

 

"I also borrowed my friends alternater"

Whoops, I meant starter.

 

First off, you could probably use a new starter anyway... so get that.

Then, it sounds like you blew something between the battery and the starter. Those cables are crap anyway so I would just get some 4 gauge (I think) and re-wire it (positive and negative). Then, you should be good.

 

Thanks for the tip Isnapcasel. I think I will rebuild the starter though. I will definately rewire the wires for the starter this Friday.

Afterwards, I guess I should check for current (or should I check for voltage?) at the starter wires while turning the key.

 

bump

 

Sure you didn't unplug the factory security behind the glove box???

 

i dont think my car came with any security system. If that is the case though, what should i look for? Thanks again for all the input

 

I would go out under the hood and check to see if you have a factory starter kill relay. If you don't you may have a jumper or nothing at all (depends on production date).

I would be checking the voltage there when cranking if there is either a relay or the jumper. (on both the large Black/green and large Black/white)

If there is not the relay or jumper than you will want to check at the starter.

 

1. The idiot lights should come on and stay on IF the alternator is not turning. Your car sounds normal there.

2. Pull the small wire on the starter solenoid off its blade connector on the solenoid. Put a meter on it. The meter should show 12v approx when the key is turned to START. IF it does not.........go in the engine bay. REmove the trail coil assy(three nuts) and lay it out of the way (leave the wires connected to it.). Look around. If you car had no theft protection relay (start cut relay)then you WILL find a connector with a BLUE cap on its end. That cap will have a single jumper wire. See if the green/black wire has 12v when the key is turned to START. If it does not.....then suspect the clutch pedal switch (inhibitor switch) is busted or the ignition switch is busted.

To prove that the solenoid and starter are good....pull that blue jumper off the plug. Now jumper 12v to the black/white wire that was being jumpered previously by the jumper wire. The starter should turn over. Please be out of gear when you do this.....or remove your feet from under the tires and anything valuable from in front of the car.

 

No inhibitor switch on a 86

 

Ah fudge. Only a fanatic would know that!

 

wow. thanks for the reply. i will definately do all this in the morning. hope i can get it cranking again.

its good to know that those lights are sposed to come on when the engine isn't cranking.

 

There is on mine.

 

what is your production date?

 

I don't recall just now. I'll have to look at the sticker on the B-pillar. Stay tuned.

 

I have a different problem, my starter went out and I have been working on puting the new one in but cant figure out why the new one wont work. I think I am running the wires wrong, also there is a groung cable coming straight from the negative terminal down to the starter, i disconnected that because when i last took out the starter (changing my clutch) it would not start if the ground wire was connected wich is weird as hell. If somebody could just describe every wire and where it goes on the starter it would help alot cuz my car is just sitting in the garage on jacks right now and i want to drive it.

 

"also there is a groung cable coming straight from the negative terminal down to the starter"

i think ground is sposed to be run to the positive terminal of the batterry. actually, i am sure this is how it supposed to be.

there should be 2 wires going to the starter. one is attatched with a 14 or 12mm nut. the other wire has a female connector that slides onto a male end on the starter.

Also, the starter itself has a wire that is attatched to the one side with a 12 or 14mm nut, and the other side goes to the actuator that pushes out the little starter gear u can see.

hope this helps

 

The large ground wire that comes from the battery.....should be attached to the LONG bolt that hold the starter in the transmission. The large POSITIVE wire goes on the starter solenoid, along with a small approx 18gauge wire that goes on the solenoid.

You MUST have the NEGATIVE cable attached to the LONG starter bolt or at the least somewhere on the engine/transmission.

 

Sure you didn't connect the charger backwards? That sould effectivly fry the battery...Does the starter click?