UPDATE!! Got it working! It turned out that when we bypassed my kill-switch, we didn't reconnect the two clutch switches. DOH! Starts up on every try now! THANX EVERYONE
I don't know what it could be, i need help - i'm desperate.

For a while now, the car would give me a little trouble starting - but it was NOT engine related.

I'd have to hold the clutch down, and wait for it to start. It seemed as though my clutch switch might have been going bad. Now the car absolutely will not start.

Symptoms: Would have to STOMP the clutch down for it to start, or wait and fiddle with the clutch for a while before it would start. Also, there is an obvoius *clicking* going on when i try to start the car. It isn't the started, i've checked it already.

The *clicking* is coming from under the dash when i try to start the car. What could this possibly be!?!??!


Modified by 0ptimus Prime at 3:39 PM 2/25/2005

 

The main relay is under the dash and is supposed to click. If its a constant clicking then you got me. If you hear the fuel pump prime then a click then its your main relay.

 

I would guess the main relay as well. Is your fuel pump at least priming?

 

Check you main relay. found underneath the dash right by the fuse box. you should hear your fuel pump turn on as well.

 

I definately hear the fuel pump prime, i checked for that. However, i didn't know how to check if the main relay is ok or not.

 

I had the exact same problem. Check your grounds and battery

 

that was the first thing i checked.. all the grounds are tightened up. The battery is fine, everything is fine. Also, we checked the starter signal wire under the dash when i turn the key -- 12 volts. However, once we checked the starter wire under the hood, it had 0 volts. It's not getting to the starter from under the dash. Does anybody have the wiring schematics that show ALL relays from the ignition --> starter wire---> starter?

Oh, and if my main relay were bad, wouldn't my car still try to turn over....?? At this point, the car isn't even trying. The starter is good.......already been tested. It's just not getting battery power when i turn the key.

 

Have you checked your ignitor?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TheIntegraGuy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Have you checked your ignitor?</TD></TR></TABLE>

That doesn't sound like it would be the problem if the starter isn't getting any voltage.

Clicking noise would usually indicate a switch or a relay. Does it make a clicking when you turn the key, hold the key on, or only when you're messing with the clutch?

 

Everytime an ignitor has gone bad on me....the car has *tried* to start.......would turn over, turn over, but no spark... this is NOT a situation where the car is trying to turn over, and won't start.

In this case, the starter is not getting 12 volts.........it's getting 0 volts. The battery is fine. The starter is fine. Somewhere, from under the dash...to the physical starter, the power is being lost. I'm not sure if this can be a main relay, because isn't that for the fuel pump? My pump IS priming.

 

As of now, it isn't clicking anymore. I had the person who installed my alarm a long *** time ago, bypass all my kill switches just for re-assurance. There's no more clicking under the dash...but the car still won't start. I've checked the battery grounds - i'm stumped. What relays control starter signal??? it's odd because when i turn the iggy, the starter that comes from the iggy gets 12 voltage, but 0 at the starter...wtf

 

I'd say check your clutch switch again.

 

sure your clutch isnt worn slap *** out and not giving you any engagement to trip the switch?? had that problem on an old 89 prelude I had back in the day.

either that or just tap on the main relay while turning the key to see if it frees up or not if that is the problem.

 

bump for some knowledge