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Car wont start

  • Thread starter Thread starter FLlx5.0
  • Start date Start date Aug 28, 2004
F

FLlx5.0

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Apr 4, 2004
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Tallahassee FL
Aug 28, 2004
#1
  • Aug 28, 2004
  • #1
My car woouldnt start I replaced the starter, starter solenoid, battery, coil, and it still wont kick over I am at a loss of what to do I am thinking neutral saftey switch but I dont even know where thats is any help would be appriciated.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
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Aug 29, 2004
#2
  • Aug 29, 2004
  • #2
i assume you mean it does not crank..??

what happens when you jump the solenoid with the trigger wire? then with across the lugs? grounds ok? terminals all tight and corrosion free? cables not corroded?

good luck.
 
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FLlx5.0

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Apr 4, 2004
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Tallahassee FL
Aug 29, 2004
#3
  • Aug 29, 2004
  • #3
how hard is it to replace nuetral saftey switch could that make my car not start.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
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Nov 29, 1999
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Aug 30, 2004
#4
  • Aug 30, 2004
  • #4
FLlx5.0 said:
how hard is it to replace nuetral saftey switch could that make my car not start.
Click to expand...
do you have an automatic?

sticks use a clutch safety switch. it is located on the back side of the clutch pedal arm, inside the car. it has a means of adjustment, as well.

before swapping it: put a test light on the slide on connector on the solenoid. when the car is cranked, as if to start, does the test light illuminate? if so, the ignition switch and interlock devices (including the safety switch) would appear to be fine.

at that point, see my above post. if jumping the two big lugs allows the car to start, but the test light did illuminate in the test above, i would swap the solenoid.

good luck.
 
N

NickMSTG50

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Oct 11, 2001
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Galesville WI
Aug 30, 2004
#5
  • Aug 30, 2004
  • #5
when looking fo the clutch safety switch, make sure you find the right one because there is one right on the front side of the clutch quadrant which shuts your cruise off when you touch the clutch. this will not cause your car to not crank, i know this because when i put in an aftermarket clutch quadrant i had to wrap tape around it to hold it down so that my cruise would work. there is another one that gets pushed in when you suppress the clutch.
 

jrichker

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Aug 30, 2004
#6
  • Aug 30, 2004
  • #6
Here's a checklist:

Check battery, terminal connections, ground, starter relay switch (also known as solenoid) and starter in that order.

A voltmeter is handy if you are familiar with how to use it to find bad connections. Measure the voltage drop across a connection: more than .5 volts across a connection indicates a problem.

1.) Will the car start if it is jumped? Then clean battery terminals and check the battery. Most auto parts stores will do a free battery check if you bring them the battery.

2.) Check the battery to engine block ground, and the ground behind the engine to the firewall.

3.) Check the cables for cracks in the insulation, and corrosion around the wire where it joins the connector. Look for swelling of the cable’s diameter which would indicate corrosion inside the cable. Bending the cable can often reveal corrosive damage inside the cable when the outside looks OK.

4.) Put the car's transmission in neutral or has someone press in on the clutch. Then pull the small push on connector (red wire) off the starter relay (Looks like it is stuck on a screw) and jump it to the terminal that is connected to the battery. If it starts, the relay is good and your problem is in the rest of the circuit.

5.) .) Remember to check the ignition switch, neutral safety switch on auto trans and the clutch safety switch on manual trans cars. If they are good, then the relay is bad. See http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80195960.gif for a very good diagram of the starter & neutral safety switch wiring

6.) Jump the big terminals on the starter relay next to the battery with a screwdriver - watch out for the sparks! If the engine cranks, the starter and power wiring are good. The starter relay is also known as a starter solenoid. If jumpering the two big solenoid posts made the starter crank, the logical next step is to replace the starter solenoid (also known as the starter relay).

7.) The starter may be hung, loosen up the bolts that hold it on, and give it a good whack with a big hammer. Tighten up the bolts and try again.

8.) Pull the starter and take it to Autozone or Pep Boys and have them test it. If the starter fails the test, then replace it. If you got this far, the starter is probably bad.
 
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