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Weird Car Not Starting Issue

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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 12:41 PM
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Weird Car Not Starting Issue

OK, my FD has been in storage for a good 2 years, the battery has been on a float charger and has 13.86 volts, It was new 2 years ago and is fine. The car started fine 2 years ago, now when I try to start the car, no click or anything, the starter does not turn over or anything.

I swapped out starters, they both work fine, so I have eliminated that possiblity. The PFC says that the clutch switch is working fine and I tried starting it with the clutch to the floor and nothing. I am very frustrated by this, please help, thank you all very much in advance.
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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 12:51 PM
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1. How do you know the battery is fine? Voltage under no load is not a good indicator. What is the battery voltage with starter load?

2. Check your battery-cable connections. Even a little corrosion here will result in a no-crank with maybe just starter-relay clicking.
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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 12:57 PM
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There is no starter load because i get no clicking or anything when the key is in the start position, no clicking, no sounds, no nothing, i can hear the fuel pump prime and everything, just no starter.
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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 12:57 PM
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Do you have power otherwise? Sometimes, I have to turn my key 6-7 times before the starter will actually kick in. I don't know the exact problem, but it's intermittent with my car, so I haven't bothered to figure out exactly what the problem is. I'm sure someone else will chime in.

I guess my only advice (so long as you have power otherwise) is: Try to turn the key to start several times and see if that helps.
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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 01:02 PM
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Possible Condensation formed on your apex seals, and they are rusting to the housings, try putting it in gear and see if you can turn the motor by pushing... if you can, you then should be able to crank it...

Last edited by DCrosby; Mar 31, 2005 at 01:05 PM.
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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 01:04 PM
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Yeah, a bad ignition switch will give you a no-start condition. Pull the small wire off the starter and check the voltage when a buddy turns the switch to "start" - you should get 12v at the start position. If not, the voltage isn't getting down to the starter to engage it somehow - that's either a security system problem or the clutch switch.

Does the clutch switch state change when you press the pedal down? It should be open circuit with the pedal up, and closed circuit with it to the floor.

Dale
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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 01:07 PM
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If it is a security problem, what could it be?

When i depress the clutch, the PFC shows a good switch, because the state changes, not positive if it is opened or closed circuit.

As far as the starter goes, when the key is turned to the start position, the starter solenoid does not even push out the starter gear, that makes me assume no power is getting there.
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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 01:38 PM
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bump
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Old Apr 1, 2005 | 01:28 PM
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someone here can help me, come on
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Old Apr 1, 2005 | 01:40 PM
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Get a remote starter switch at your local auto store (they are pretty cheap) and try to apply current directly to the starter solenoid. If it does not respond, the starter may be dead. You should first verify that turning the ignition switch gets current to the solenoid 'start' wire - otherwise the remote starter is not going to do anything.

You could also whack the solenoid with a rubber mallet and try starting it again.

Last edited by moconnor; Apr 1, 2005 at 01:52 PM.
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Old Apr 1, 2005 | 01:42 PM
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Max, do you hear your solenoids click when you turn the key on?
Also, If you turn your lights on and then try to start the engine
do the lights dim alot? Just trying to help. Is this the car you had
the accident with?
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Old Apr 1, 2005 | 01:56 PM
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This page has good information:

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troub.../aa080203a.htm
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Old Apr 1, 2005 | 02:06 PM
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dp

Last edited by InsaneGideon; Apr 1, 2005 at 02:12 PM.
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Old Apr 1, 2005 | 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by moconnor
You could also whack the solenoid with a rubber mallet and try starting it again.
^^^ What this guys says.

Also, there are TWO clutch switches. One ("clutch switch" pg. Z-34 in the FSM) is used soley as a signal to the ECU. The other ("starter interlock" pg. Z-24 in the FSM) is the one that works inline with the security system's starter relay. The second one also feeds the ECU a signal, but it only gives an active signal when the car is cranking; I'm not sure which one the PFC is reporting... I'd guess it's the first.


Do your exterior/interior lights dim while you are cranking? That's a good indicator to whether your starter is dying and/or if there's a power delivery issue.
(edit: It's already been stated ... it took like 30 min for the server to accept my post.)

Last edited by InsaneGideon; Apr 1, 2005 at 02:17 PM.
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Old Apr 1, 2005 | 03:48 PM
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rotors + turbos = bliss
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No, this is my new R1, thanks guys for all the help
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