g2_5point0

A few days ago I went outside to turn on the car, all the dash lights come on, but when i turn the key to crank it... nothing, except the additional dash lights coming up.

i was in a hurry, so i grabbed another car and decided to tackle the issue when i came back. Get home, and bam, the car cranks right up.

however, that was afew days ago. today, it doesn't start. I tried jumping the solenoid directly and nothing, just sparks.

here are a few theories, but i'd love suggestions :

1. bad solenoid (i JUST changed it maybe a week ago and it was working)
2. bad clutch sensor? don't know whether it's working or not
3. bad ignition switch? i just rechecked to see if it had moved, but it's still firmly in place.


the only detail i can give you guys is that right before this issue came up, i noticed when i turned the key to the crank position, it hesitated for a split second, then cranked.

I'd appreciate quick help! i need to go out of town this weekend (im not taking the car, but i have to drive to carpool)

mattdel

If you jumped the solenoid directly, and nothing happened, its 99% the starter, unless you have a bad ground on the starter.

g2_5point0

wouldnt the starter be grounded by it being placed on the block? i jumped the solenoid with a wrench from the battery side over to the starter side and got nothing, which would make sense if you're saying it's the starter. is there some ground for the starter that might be loose or what?

mattdel

yah its self grounded. probably just needs to be replaced.

dreamer1uk

If you think the ignition control circuit is bad, you could grab a test light, ground the test light and probe the S terminal on the stater solenoid as someone turns the key to run. If the test light lights up then your problem is what mattdel stated. You could do a voltage drop test on the feed and ground side of the starter to rule out excessive resistance in your wiring.

g2_5point0

Update : removed the starter, had it tested and it works. I reinstalled it and jumped the solenoid. it cranked, the starter works.

So now it's narrowed down to the ignition switch. gonna test the cable coming from the switch to the solenoid.

what a pain! luckily i havent spent any money on unnecessary parts.

g2_5point0

update : jumped the clutch safety switch and still nothing.

tested the ignition switch and got power to all of the pin except the white and pink wire pin. I jammed a screw driver and forced it into the "crank" position and still no power. i think i found my culprit.

mattdel

your original post said you jumped the solenoid and nothing happened.
jumping the solenoid completely and totally bypasses everything that you are testing, therefore the starter is the only culprit. you may have issues with the ignition switch, but if your starter did nothing while being directly jumped, its bad too.

zebo87

not sure if yours has this or not but in the area of the battery, solenoid, coil there is a small circuit breaker that might be wired with everything. most likely the prob. i had the same issue and the cb was bad. i had replaced the ignition switch, clutch switch, solenoid, and coil. no luck. i was still having to jump the solenoid til i replaced the circuit breaker. good luck.