Hi all,

92 FD here. Stock everything besides intake and axle-back exhaust (both on the car from Japan).

Never had an issue with starting in my ~5 years of ownership. Went to a cars and coffee this last weekend, went to lunch after, and when we went out to the car, turned the key aaaand — nope.

First attempt had a series of rapid clicks. After that, silence when I'd turn the key. I can hear the fuel pump going when I turn the key. Battery is fine. (Had it on a charger/tester.) But you turn the key and it's just silence.

I've heard others recommend the "Starter Cut Relay" which is H302, dark blue plug, driver's side kick panel. But when I go to look for that, there's nothing of the sort on my RHD model. An older thread I found would suggest that it doesn't exist. I found another relay that was the headlight retractor relay, but no starter relay.

I visually inspected the clutch pedal sensor and that at least looked okay to the eye (the plastic nub was still intact). But I suppose that sensor could have gone bad. Is that where you'd start?

I saw an old Rob Dahm video where he removed/bypassed the clutch switch. Just for testing purposes, how would I go about doing that?

Anyone else have a guess on some potential easy fixes I may be missing before I go and replace the starter? I could be wrong, but I feel like a bad starter might sound like **** for a while before it dies, and this seems like an abrupt electrical problem.

Thanks for any and all help. Would really like to get the car running since I just bought a catless midpipe, Power FC, and FC Tweak and I was excited to get them in before the season was over.

 

You can probably grab a used starter for about $100.

A long shot could be an issue with the ignition switch.

The plastic part of the switch at the bottom is held on by a single machine screw.

If it falls out the plastic part will separate from metal part and the little tab the key turns will not be in position move the electronic switch..

It is rare, but happened to my friend here last week. His car refused to turn over after a stop at a gas station.

We checked all sorts of things. And finally guessed it was the ignition.

{Yes RHD do not have a clutch kill switch. )

 

@Redbul interesting! I'll definitely check that out.

Forgive my ignorance, but is the ignition switch you're talking about inside the car near the actual lock cylinder, or in the engine bay near the starter?

Pretty new to working on these cars still, besides some easy modifications like coilovers and some basic maintenance. Besides this, mine's been a peach.

 

the rapid fire clicking is typically a sign the battery is bad. dont assume its good because its charged or holds a charge. its possible its the starter but ive never seen an actually bad FD starter with one exception due to salt water. rhd cars do not have a clutch switch. swap in a known good battery and try again. its possible its the ignition switch but if the lights on the dash dim when you go the cranking position then its working. super easy way to test that.

 

Yes. I am talking about the key cylinder. Be carful removing the column cover (or know where you will be getting a replacement).

Check the connection at your alternator. Is it badly corroded? Detach and clean.

 

https://www.harborfreight.com/1224v-...SABEgKza_D_BwE

Get one of those and keep it on hand in your hatch or glove box until you figure this out. If jumping the power lead to the solenoid tab works fine the issue is the starter circuit wiring, grab a diagram and trace it back.

 

i would install a starter booster relay to start with, but you also need to load test your battery and not rely on some charger to tell you your battery is good. also make sure your battery connections are solid and tight.

 

Rats don't seem to particularly like FD harnesses, but a sudden failure could be evidence they have been at work.

 

Hey everyone just wanted to update this for any future people with the same problem!

It ended up being that the starter simply came unplugged under the car! haha. I have really stiff coilovers so it must have rattled loose/rattled off over time.

Wish I wouldn't have spent so much time dicking around "topside" with relays and clutch switches before just getting underneath there. But given the info I had it seemed more like an electrical/sensor issue than a physical starter issue.

I suppose I was right in the long run, but next time I need to get eyes on it ASAP!

TL;DR: Starter was simply unplugged under the car. No bad sensors.

 

For the future just grab a multi meter, check and make sure the big wire at the starter has 12 volts (usually always does as its direct to battery), and finish by checking the smaller wire at the solenoid when the key is in the "start" position. Just have someone hold the key for you. if both get 12 volts its always the starter and if one of them doesn't than you play around above the vehicle.