white99ekcoupe

So the other day I went to roll up my windows and turned my car on, its never been able to start without pushing my clutch in before but for some reason this time it started without clutch pushed in and i kinda freaked out and turned it off right after i tried to turn it back on and it wouldnt turn on. anyone know what might be wrong??

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Isn't that a common problem with Ford Escorts?

delsolintegra

Did you notice small pieces of broken plastic on your floor mat that weren't there before?

Could be the button on the upper clutch pedal shaft that pushes on the clutch interlock switch broke and fell out.

It pushes on the switch when you press on the clutch pedal and allows the car to start. You can get them cheap at the dealership or some people hot glue a penny in it's place.

Assuming that's the problem. Assuming you're talking about a civic.

TomCat39

Since we don't have any information to go on.... My car wouldn't start the other day and so I jumpered the clutch interlock connector and still wouldn't crank. Heard the fuel pump run and the main relay clicking.

So I grabbed my hammer and tapped on the starter. Started right up and hasn't acted up since.

Probably doesn't apply to your Fiat, or was it an MG?

white99ekcoupe

it was in my 2000 honda civic. there was no broken plastic on the ground. i can do a roll start but jump start dont work. battery is good still too

TomCat39

If you hear the main relay and you hear the fuel pump run when the key is fully turned to "start" then try firmly tapping the starter with a hammer a few times.

"tap" "tap" "tap"..... "tap" "tap" "tap".... hop in and try starting it.

This is assuming you get zero cranking when trying to start it. If it cranks but won't start then it's something entirely different.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Check that the rubber stopper on the top of the clutch pedal is still there.

white99ekcoupe

i checked the rubber stopper is still there and when i hit the starter a couple times with a hammer it sparked a little bit but still wont start.

TomCat39

Just for future reference, tap the side of the starter, not where the wires are connected...

With help you can measure DC voltage to the starter when the key is turned to "start".

If you are getting voltage to the starter then all the other systems would appear to be working and your starter is bad.

white99ekcoupe

Thanks for the help guys. I finally figured out what was wrong. there was a wire that broke off from the starter. I found it and reconnected it and it started up with no problem.

OptimisticWay

Was this after the hammer incident?

cmwright1986

lmao my thoughts exactly