Intermittent starting issue. Comes and goes.

I have the MT, so i depress the clutch and turn the ignition. I can hear the starter solenoid click and hear (what i believe is the) fuel pump priming. But no crank. If I do this over and over and over, eventually the car will crank and start immediately. This happen primarily after the car has been sitting overnight or for more than 8 hours. Any thoughts on where to start looking for a solution?

 

Perform a voltage drop test on the starter.

 

Make sure you are getting 12V to the small wire at the starter from the ignition switch, if so, change the starter.

 

Test your battery and starter. Then tighten and clean all of your ground wires and contacts.

 

sounds like a battery or starter issue. get both of those guys checked.

 

Next time it happens, open the hood and give the starter a solid, but not ballistic, whack with a hammer or tire iron. Then turn the key and if it starts right up, replace your starter because it's about gone. I got away with whacking my starter for several weeks until I had time to replace it. I also whacked a ladys starter at the grocery store recently and saved her a tow bill. She was astounded that such a low-tech thing got her back on the road. haha.

 

Yes, that is a very good procedure, had to use it myself. BUT, it would be better if you had two people, one to turn the key, CLICK, another to whack the starter while the key is still in Start mode, WHACK - STARTER OPERATION. Then you know for sure the starter was stuck, other wise you are going with or against the odds that the next key cycle after whacking the starter, or not whacking it would have started up anyways. I am sure the odds will be with you, or is that The Force.

 

I will have a cheap hammer in my car, for me just in case, and maybe for some ladies on the road... ha.. ha..

Thanks BrakeDrum

Dan

 

hey duaine wuts it like in tokyo?

 

Thanks for the input everyone. Hopefully this weekend I will get a chance to get into the troubleshooting. I will let you know how things go.

 

Right now its quite hot and muggy, the holiday season is ending so most folks are getting back to work. The Yen to Dollar exchange rate is killing us foreigners big time, its the lowest it has been in more than 15 years so I have to do some side jobs just to make ends meet. I also am thinking of asking for a different position in my contract job in the base that will almost double my pay but double the headache, I am not sure its that important. Even the Japanese are having a poor time in this world economy scenario.

I am trying to do some exporting but I am having trouble doing all the paperwork in the states from here. Another partner here is dragging his feet for his contacts so I am going to go on alone it looks like.