Car Wont Start!

Check the ground off the battery, I just had the same problem.

Here's a checklist:

Since some of the tests will bypass the safety interlocks, make sure that the car is in neutral and the parking brake is set. Becoming a pancake isn’t part of the repair process…

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.
See http://www.fluke.com/application_notes/automotive/circuit.asp?AGID=1&SID=103 for help


1.) Will the car start if it is jumped? Then clean battery terminals and check battery.

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

3.) 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 is good. The starter relay is also known as a starter solenoid.

4.) Then pull the small push on connector (red wire) off the starter relay (Looks like it is stuck on a screw). Then jump between the screw and 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 you have wiring problems. See http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80195963.gif for 88-90 year cars .OR see http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80195964.gif for 91-93 year cars. See http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/1d/db/3c/0900823d801ddb3c.jsp for 94-95 model cars.

6.) 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.

7.) If that doesn't work, use a jumper cable from the positive lead on the battery direct to the starter post where the big wire from the relay connects. If it cranks then, it is the power wire from the relay gone bad. This will be hard to do, since there isn't much room to do it.

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

it is possible that your not getting power to the key.

BlackLX5.0 said:

I did all of the stuff you guys said, but I think its wires inside my car or something. Im not sure. Could it be anything inside the car to keep it from starting?

Thanks :SNSign:

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So you dont have 12 volts at the S-terminal on the solenoid (this is in #4,5 on JR's list)?

The pathway is from the ignition switch (white/pink wire, IIRC) to the safety switch and to the S-terminal. If you dont have juice at the S-terminal, I would check the safety switch for juice at atleast one terminal while cranking. If you only have juice into that switch while cranking (with the clutch pedal depressed), that suggests the switch is not closing.

If still no go, head to the ignition switch.

My two cents. Good luck.

BlackLX5.0 said:

I used a test light on the S-Terminal and no power there.The ignition key is broke, you can turn it with or without the key in it. Could that cause it?

Thanks

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Does the lock cylinder still change position (off, run, crank)?

Since you need to get in there to fix the lock cylinder, I might check for cranking juice out of the ignition switch.

Just my thinking. Good luck.