I have a 89 hatch with a 2000 ex swap.
i accidentally started the car while it was in gear and i saw smoke coming from under the hood. the car wouldnt start. i changed the starter, alternator and battery and it still wont start. I've been push starting it for the past few days. could i have an electrical problem.
please help

 

Maybe... first, stop changing parts until you can diagnose the problem accuratly.

Can you describe what "won't start" means. Is the starter spinning, or not, etc....

fs

 

when i turn the key nothing happens. the check lights dim but the car doesnt turn over. i was able to jump it by connecting the starter to the power.

 

Check fuses?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by skelly ed6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Check fuses?</TD></TR></TABLE>

what he said

 

yeah i checked the fuses

 

Have you checked the main fuseable links (large Fuses) on the Passenger side fender under the hood?

 

Are you getting power to the radio and wipers when you switch the key to 'on'? If so, the circuit from the battery to the switch is fine.

If you were able to jump the starter using direct connection to the battery, then you need to check for an open circuit between the starter and the ignition switch.

So start with the starter and look at the connection and wires coming from there and going to the switch (black and white wire i think). I don't recall if you are going to find a fuse link on the wire it self ( looks like either a smaller guage wire or a white plastic line fuse) If it is a wire, tug on it a bit. If it burn, the wire should snap right off. THen cut and splice a new fuse link. If it is a white plastic connector, look for evidence of burning. If so replace...

You may want to test this before by jumping over the fuse link using a piece of wire.

fs

 

this is wierd because today when i went to get into my car i turn the key and it turned over. i havent checked for that open circuit yet though. it wouldnt start cuz i didnt have enough power from the battery to start it.

 

ok first off if it was a fuse link the interior lights and gauge lights WOULD NOT come on and u CAN NOT start a car even by push starting it when u have no fuse link....

o and u should make sure all the plugs are connected to the starter motor itself...
if their not u WILL just get the interior lights but nothing will turn over...

 

did you do test on the batery. dip the cells with a hydromitor . make sure you have a good batery. the test should show bout 1275 if good, do a batary brake down to see if it can hold amps if it drops below 9.6 amps. on the brake down its a bad batary replace it and go from there. ( this is saying if you have no blow fuses or fuseable links ) i would also check for a drain you you shouldnt have more than 14 mili amps pulling from fuse box with the key off good luck