Alright, here's the problem. Sometimes when I go to start my car nothing happens. All the accessories come on, but there is absolutely no engine noise. After a few more tries, she fires right up without hesitation. Sometimes it'll fire right up on the first try. Any thoughts?

 

when you say no engine noise, do you mean the starter isnt cranking? or the engine isnt firing while cranking?

 

i think your clutch switch is going bad. next time the car doesn't start, try to slam the clutch pedal, while you have the key in on position.

 

Yeah, no noise at all. Dead silence. I've tried slamming the clutch down, sometimes it works. How difficult is it to replace the clutch switch?

 

its easy, like 5 minute job.

 

Mine does that too, but no clutch.

 

Yeah, it could be that, or I'm thinking the ignition itself. I was just trying something new. Pushing in the clutch normally, I pushed the key into the ignition really hard, and it started up fine. I'll probably replace the clutch switch anyway. Thanks for the info.

 

Sounded like my car. The clutch switch.

 

Basically there are just 3 things to check. Clutch switch (if you dont have remote start or anything), your ignition and the starter itself. Many people say its their clutch swith or starter and end up ruling them out. If you have to turn your ignition hard and you succeed and starting the car, then it probably is the ignition. our cars are more than 10 years old now and I would have no surprse in any of the 3 things above failing.

Jeremy

 

i have the same problem when i turn the key i hear a click but nothing happens i try a few more times and it starts. sometimes it does start on the first try. a little annoying but never left me stranded. YET

 

Mine does that too. It goes click click click and then it starts.

 

any one know how to fix this? would a starter do this?

 

I would assume to rule out the starter because once it does start, it starts right up. There's no hesitation, except for really cold mornings. Thanks again for the help guys.

 

Just replaced clutch switch yesterday, and I'm pretty sure you guys were right. She's fired up perfectly every try without a problem. The install was quick and painless. Thanks again for the help.

 

I'm not so lucky. I changed the starter (free, under warranty), and the clutch switch behind the fuse box (apparently there's 2 of them, right? One takes like 5 min, the other takes an hour). Car starts a lot better than before, but still sometimes does nothing as others have described above. Guess I'm gonna change the other clutch switch too and see...

 

Good luck with that. The one underneath the dash really is a quick job. Hopefully, this will eliminate your problems.

 

hearing a clicking noise, it could very well be the starter solenoid going bad

 

I have the same problem. When the car is dead cold (sitting overnight) it seems to start on the first try. When the car is warm it may take up to ten (or more) tires to get the engine to crank. In that caes, I'll hear a "click" and keep trying.... "click"..."click".... BAM! Bwaaaa...bwaa...babababababa...... (open exhaust )

So you think it may be a bad solenoid? Would it be possible that there's a continuity problem with the wiring? I looked at some of the wires that came from the starter (mine is pretty much brand new) were in bad (i.e. melted) shape.

I think this is a good read:

http://www.fd3s.net/electrical_syste...eshooting.html

 

leaky injectors your inj. are drity clean them

 

Key in, turn it, no sound, not even a click; turn it again, maybe get a clean start.

Mechanic thinks it is starter solenoid.
How much work is R&R of starters on these buttscraping machines for a fat fingered fumblebutt pretending to be a mechanic?