Ok, here is my situation. About 1 week ago I jumped in my car one night and when I put the key in the ignition to crank it over nothing happened. I could hear the fuel pumps but the starter didn't even turn over at all. So I tried to start the car again and this time the starter starts right up. Now as the week went by I only drove my car about 3 other times. Each time it got worse. Last night I had to try to start the car about 15 times before the starter finally engaged. Later on during the night, it wouldn't start at all. So I push started it. Tonight I am going to jack up the car and check to make sure the big wire is still tightly connected to the starter. If it is still connected, does anybody know what else my problem could be?

PS: whenever it does finally starts the starter sounds fine (its not weak).

Thanks,
Phil

 

I have the same problem, just not as worse. The prior owner had the same problem and they replaced the ignition switch and starter. I didn't have the problem until I did the engine change. I suspect the interlock switch on my car which is an automatic. I would check your clutch interlock system. I haven't really looked at the manual setup and I am at work. I will post what I find on mine, but I don't expect to be able to work on mine till this weekend. (if I'm lucky)

Terry7

 

Clutch switch?

 

could be the solenoid...mine sounds strong, but sometimes doesn't start.

if not hit the starter with a hammer

 

Phil, pull the 12v wire off of the starter and clean the contacts.

 

Don't fukin hit it with a hammer. Jeez you guys You bang on it too much or too hard and you will break everything inside and end up costing a hell of alot more. And in an emergency situation, you "tap" the starter with a hammer or rock....something that will give it a little vibration to help make contact. Don't just hit it like you are beating your dog.

It doesn't cost much to rebuild most starters. In most cases, it's just the brushes are worn and need to be replaced. If you take the starter off your self and take it to an auto electric shop, probably cost you 30-70 bucks to rebuild and it will be just as good as new.

Or buy the brushes yourself for 5-10 bucks and do it yourself if that is the problem.

 

*Battery....even if it's new....ask me how I know. Just a small drop in voltage from a weak cell or bad connection will cause symptoms simliar to what you've described.
*Grounds, battery to chassis, battery to engine and engine to chassis
*Starter/solenoid connections
*Clutch switch
*Starter/solenoid replacement. But this would be the last thing I'd try.

 

^Yup. I had this problem a while ago and it was a dirty Negative battery post. Atleast check this first to see if it's clean and tight.

 

Given your problems the first thing I'd check is the battery connections, especially the ground. If I didn't see anything bad there I'd suspect the clutch switch. Unplug the switch and put a jumper across the connector. After a week or so of driving if you have no starting issues with the jumper in place you know you have a bad clutch switch.

If the starting issues seem to be worse when the car is hot all the more reason to suspect the battery, its connections or possibly the solenoid. If the problem doesn't seem to be any different regardless of car temp all the more reason to suspect the clutch switch.

The most common starting issues these cars seem to have is poor battery connections and failing clutch switches.

 

Starter could be flat spotted too...if it happens again try to let the car move..either foward or backwords(foward to be sure) and then try it again...otherwise Check the grounds on the firewall(thats where they are on the fc) and if you can..pop your hood and start it with someone looking down at it. My friends fc was going the same thing and much did we know his was throwing sparks because the ground on the fire wall wasnt touching anything!