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FD Randomly won't turn over

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Old 09-09-01, 08:40 PM
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FD Randomly won't turn over

I am having this weird problem and I want to know if anyone else has ever experienced this. Sometimes, my '94 FD wont' turn over when I turn the key. All of the lights in the dashboard light up correctly but nothing happens. At first I thought it might have been a bad key but it happens with my key also which is the original. I don't have a specific remedy that consistently works other than I take the key out wait a few seconds and try again. Usually it will start right up although sometimes it takes a few more times. I can go for days and it will start up everytime but it still happens randomly. Of course, if I take it to the shop I know it will start up perfectly. Anyway, I can only think that maybe it is some kind of loose connection with the ignition or starter.

Any ideas?

Thanks.
Old 09-09-01, 09:03 PM
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there are 4-5 different things this could be.

1) there is a switch at the back of the clutch called the starter interlock switch, that will not let you start the car if the clutch is not all the way in. That switch could be bad..
2) or the bracket that holds that switch in place could be bent back.
3) The wiring harnes on the starter apperently has a habit of becomming flakey - I read about this but don't fully understand it myself.
4) The ingnition switch could be going bad (not that likeley)
5) I've heard one other possible problem, but don't remember it.

let us know what you find - I have the same problem and have only ruled out #2 so far.
Old 09-09-01, 09:53 PM
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Old 09-10-01, 12:28 AM
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Let me also mention that my car is an automatic trans not manual.
Old 09-10-01, 11:54 AM
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I had the same problem when my car was an automatic. Turn the key, and it would just go 'click' once, and nothing else. Sometimes it was due to heat (I still occassionally get this one), but it did it alot when it had had plenty of time to cool off, too.

The battery died one day, and, after I put a new one in, the problem was gone.
Old 09-10-01, 04:15 PM
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it is electrical, i am still having this problem, after replacing, the Inhibitor switch, starter, starter solenoid, and a few harnesses, i dont think it could be the ignition switch but who the hell know with an FD, hell you might wanna try replacing a dome light bulb, maybe that will make it work......
Old 09-11-01, 03:56 AM
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I also have the same problem with my 93 automatic. I have replaced my starter, wiring harness,battery, and my ignition switch. The ignition switch helped for a little bit but the problem came back a month later. It is wierd because it only happens when the fans are running when I turn on the car when it is warm after driving. I just got a battery relocation kit from M2 so I will be replacing the ground wire soon. This might solve the problem. I'll let you guys know.
Old 09-12-01, 07:56 AM
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did you try the ground to the block. it sounds stupid, but i know this could cause what you are describing. or just your negative batery terminal conection, is it loose at all?
Old 09-12-01, 09:42 AM
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I checked the battery connections and it looked fine but I will check it again along with the ground. It didn't turn over for me a couple of times yesterday. The first time I kept trying at least 5-7 times and nothing, then I waited a second, wiggled the key and it started right up. My wife drove it a few hours later, the car started right up in the driveway. She went to a store, parked for about 15 minutes, came back and it wouldn't turn over again. She tried also many times including wiggling the key, then all of a sudden it just started right up.

This is such a random and weird problem. It seems like this happens when the car has been driven a little bit and then parked for a short time (15 minutes to even an hour). It always starts right up in the morning. I am appreciative of all of the responses, at least I know its not only me.
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