FrankJones

Ok guys, I need the pros help on this one! I have searched and searched but cannot find the answer. 94'dx hatch with the gsr engine. I have replaced the starter and the main relay. Symptoms are on a hot day I will do a quick drive to the store and when I come out to start the car. Nothing. It will not turn over. I hear the two clicks from the main relay. The engine light comes on and goes out after two seconds. When I press the clutch all the way down I hear that click as well. I am stumped. AND it doesn't happen every time! Right now I am always scoping out the right parking spot so I have a good run in case I need to bumpstart the car to go home.

Am I missing any other relays that could be going bad??
Thanks! Hope somebody knows this one.

motegicivic

Have you checked your coil?

FrankJones

I have not. How do you check it?

FrankJones

A faulty coil does not seem consistent with my symptoms. Everything I have found states that if your coil is bad the car will crank but not start. My car will not crank at all when it happens. Is there a diagram that shows all the components with the starting system of the car? What other components are there. My starter and main relay are brand new.

Former User

Have you inspected the condition of the rubber stopper?

echoside

Ignition switch? Can disassemble and check contacts for wear.

FrankJones

I do hear that switch click everytime. Even when it does not start i hear that switch. Sometimes i keep the key turned all the way and pump the clutch to see if i hear that switch and i do every time. I will put an eyeball on the rubber stopper just to check the wear.

What else?? What else is engaged when you turn the key to start the engine??
Thanks for the help!!

Former User

What exactly do you hear and where is it coming from?

FrankJones

No symptoms point to the ignition switch because all the dash lights stay lit and when I turn it to try and crank I get all the clicks.

What else??

FrankJones

Thanks so much for the input guys! What else? How many components can there possibly be from the key to the starter?

Former User

What are you looking for?

-Check the stopper
-Answer questions
-Check the ignition switch (what you said in your reply absolutely does not rule out the switch)
-Tell us about your car

92ehatch

lets not forget to check the starter. it very well could be that, just because something works when its cold doesnt mean it will when its warm (ie, after car being run)

DSMAddicted

Try tapping the starter with the handle of a long screwdriver.
Or lightly with a hammer.

FrankJones

Hey there,
I was trying not to waste anyone's time but since you asked. Here goes.

I have a 94' dx hatch with a usdm b18c1 engine gsr tranny with LSD 5th gear. The body has 250k on it and the engine and trans has 90k. I have had the car about 6 years now and it has always had this starting problem.
Fast forward to now,
I was thinking of getting rid of the car but decided to keep it and do a overhaul on it.
Recently I did
All fluids
Timing belt/water pump
All other belts
New radiator
New starter
New main relay
Progress coilovers
Rota slipstreams
All new bushings

I really fell in love with the car again. The last hurtle for me is this damn starting problem.
I'm ready to replace anything that is suspect and I have been but I don't know what else.
It just won't hot start. It won't crank or anything. I get clicks from the main relay and from the clutch switch. I get all the dash lights. Engine light comes on for two seconds then goes out. When it doesn't start I hear a click under the hood as well.
I guess my question is are there any other relays associated with starting the car besides the main relay?
Yes I am a noob but I did all the maintenance myself and at this point just stumped.

FrankJones

Do you think?? The starter and main relay are brand new.

Former User

Does the click sound definitely come from the starter solenoid?

Do you have a multimeter? When the starter won't crank, have a buddy turn the key to ON(III) and measure voltage at the starter solenoid as well as at the large wire for the starter motor. Use the battery ground post as ground in the test. Compare the voltage reading when you instead use the transmission housing as ground.

The main relay has NOTHING to do with the starter.

FrankJones

Will do.
Thanks!
Keep you posted

ej1b18c1

Sounds like a bad ground.

FrankJones

What about the starter cut relay? Can that cause the symptoms I'm having? Could the heat cause it to intermittently give me problems??

motegicivic

I am wondering if you have a computer issue, I know sounds far fetched. Like I also said check the coil, it is simple to do, just because it starts cold doesn't mean there is no issue.

Former User

Read the thread. It's a no-crank problem.

motegicivic

No sounds huh, I am wondering was there ever an alarm installed on the car? or an alarm now?

FrankJones

Yes there was an alarm on it and it was kinda effed up from the previous owner. I had the stereo shop clean up the wiring and install a new alarm. I did this about two years ago. I was hoping at the time that this would rectify the problem. It made absolutely no difference in behavior of the intermittent hot no crank issue.

FrankJones

Hey Ron,
What are your thoughts on the starter cut relay? Could that contribute to my issue??

Former User

It's very rare for that relay to go bad. Best not to guess. Do the voltage tests.