So I have a starting issue with my 90 crx. Got a new battery in, got a new starter in.

Now i have a push button wired up to start my car cause my ignition switch was losing contact or whatever and i'm wondering if this button shouldn't be used.

Radioshack - Products

I mean i've been using it for a year and all was well. Now i can't find this issue i'm having. The button is wired to a relay and i believe an inline fuse as well? Not quite sure about the inline fuse, It's been years since i messed with it. I can't remember full details yet. I figured if i wire it up to a relay, all would be good.

Also, battery is relocated to my trunk using 4 gauge wire and 2 gauge ground.

Oh, i figured it was a wiring issue because i tried starting my car several times after work, but all i got was a click each time. So i went under the hood and jumped the starter wire to 12V and it started up right away.

Thanks for your time.

 

Same thing in my 91 ef with the batterie. My fix was running second wire from alternator to the batterie directlyy. The car was slealing most of the voltage to run, before able to get to batterie. Yours is sounding more of a ground issue. Are you running 1 grnd wire to the body? And still have one from engine to body

 

I have one ground in the back which is battery to body and I have all grounds hooked up in the engine bay. Thermostat housing, valve cover and transmission housing. I tried all for corrosion and they're all tight.

 

Don't trust new parts because they're "new". I once bought a "new" alternator for my Si, only to have it put out 0 volts. Not before I replaced the main relay, checked continuity of wires, and went without a car for 2 days.

Always get the specific part bench tested before you pay for it.

 

I've also had that alternator issue with oreillys and an alternator. Thanks for the advice. I think i've ruled out a bad starter though cause as soon as i jumped the starter wire to 12V, it started up right away with no issues.

 

If you're getting a "click" when you push the button, that would lead me to believe that the button itself is doing its job. However, if a relay is supposed to be supplying the real power, then I would test the relay.

 

Ahh okay, do you know how to specifically test a relay? I remember a long time ago i opened up a relay to see how it worked and i can see the contact points hitting when i turn it on. I guess i could do that.

Do you think relays can build up corrosion?

 

Or just throw in another known good relay to test. I keep a jug full of relays from junkyards and parted cars. If you do a lot of automotive wiring, they're handy to have.

 

So i've tested the relay and it was good, but i put a new relay in just to make sure and still the same click. So it can click multiple times but when i jump the starter wire from the actual starter to 12V, it will start right away.

I've put a volt meter to that same starter wire at the relay and when i jump it from the relay starter wire to 12V, it's only getting 8V max to that wire. I'm guessing that is the issue.

What can be causing that? is the wire too long? Too much resistance? The wire is about 4 feet long.

 

Alright so i think i've figured it out. The wiring diagram i followed way back when confused me. I used this website when i wired it:
Awesome Push Button Ignition

I basically had the 12V and ignition wire soldered together at the relay and ran it to the ignition wire. So i then did it the correct way following this picture:


and it starts every time. Thank you guys for the help!