My 1990 hatchback will not crank not even with a jump start. Only pushing the car starts it. It has new battery, starter, and main relay. I've been playing the guessing game and replacing the ignition switch did not solve the problem. I assumed it was either the clutch safety switch or the starter relay BUT neither of those parts are available at the auto part store. Can anyone help me out?

 

have you tried to physically push the clutch safety switch while cranking IN NEUTRAL WITH PARKING BRAKE SET? The clutch safety switch get physically pushed by a FLIMSY piece of plastic on the clutch pedal. If the flimsy plastic broke out of the hole, then put in a short nut/bolt.

Next to check: Do the lights on the dash COME ON? and.....Do they respond when you turn the key to "start"?

If you want to check something else while you are troubleshooting, check to see if the starter's slide-connector is connected cleanly (no corrosion).

At your own risk: If you get tired of pushstarting it, you can 1) SET THE PARKING BRAKE AND PUT IT in NEUUUTTTRRRAAAALLL!!! .....then....2) Use a 14" wire to jump from the Positive+ battery terminal to the starter's slide-terminal (starter signal). That's how I started mine when the clutch pedal's plastic insert broke.

 

Thanks. I figured it out like 15 min after posting this. That is exactly what I did and it started right up. It was just harder to locate the clutch switch is higher than the brake light switch. I'll either try to repair it using the nut/bolt method I used on the brake light switch, replace that flimsy little piece of crap, or bypass. But at least now I know it's not a huge problem. Thanks again for the response jdm_rb20