Car at most times wont start.. THE engine does not crank over. all i hear is a clicking sound under my hood. I searched in the forum and came up that this may be the problem, Starter Relay? Starter? Alternator?

I got the Alternator tested and showed up as 45 AMPS while my car is running.. found out that the AMPs should be somewere around 80 AMPs..WEIRD..guessing my ALTERNATOR is gone. but why would my car still start sometimes..some times my car will start but other times i eaither have to push start it, or wait a while and get lucky till it starts..lol.....i figure should i remove the starter and the alternator and get it tested or?????

Thanks../.

 

BUmpppppppppppp

 

You have a starter/starter solenoid or a connection problem.

If the "click" you hear, [when engine will not turn over] is in the engine bay, it is the starter motor solenoid engaging, meaning everything up to that point is good.

You must confirm the "click" is comming from the starter solenoid in the engine bay, not just the much softer "click" from under the center dash area, [starter relay], easiest way is to pop the hood and have someone turn ign. key to start.

If indeed it is the starter solenoid that the "click" is comming from, pull the starter and have it repaired or replace it.

If the "click" is only comming from under the dash, [starter relay] no clicking from starter motor solenoid, the problem is either the starter relay or the wiring between the relay and the starter solenoid, [most likely the relay].

To confirm the solenoid is good, unplug the "starter wire" from the solenoid and use a jumper wire, [same gauge or thicker as the "starter wire"] connect one end to the starter solenoid and touch the other end to the batt. pos.(+) post, BE CAREFULL!!!! make sure car is not in gear and hand brake is set, engine will turn over even if car is in gear.
If engine turns over, replace starter relay. 94

 

Thanks for the Reply and Help "fcm".. i have sometihng else to put out...i think my clutch sensor is out...i was always able to start my car without pressing down the clutch?

Do you think this maybe the problem... But im going to try your solution right now since i got my day off from work to try and get my Car fixed..THanks

 

The CIS, [clutch interlock switch] supplies the starter relays coil with a ground when clutch is stepped on, if you do not have to step on the clutch then there is a problem with the switch, unplug the switch and install a jumper into the plug to connect the black lead, [ground input] and the black/blue lead, [CIS coil lead], if you have no more problems starting the car, replace the CIS. 94

 

Ok.. i havent been up letting you know about how the problem is going..but thats because my car was acting good on me..i inspected the ground on the starter and battery on wednesday and they were all in good contact were they suppose to be. ..i put the battery back together as well as the starter grounds and car started like butter.I didnt have any trouble starting the car.. but on sunday morning when i was getting ready for work.. my car did not want to start.. i kept turning the key and noticed that the clinge noice was coming from inside the car..i guess its my starter relay which i will test soon...by aNY CHANCE do u know were it will be located in my car??? i read up that its somewere behind the stereo dASH?

Thanks

 

Either just below and to right of radio or on left side of heater box, remove radio and console for access.

If you can hear the starter relay click, it is probably still good you can confirm it is working by unplugging the starter lead, [black/white] at the starter solenoid and testing for power on that lead when ign. key is turned to start, save you the work of pulling the radio and console only to find starter relay is working fine. 94

 

ILL try that next...I just have to wait till it dont want to start..Hope it dont want to start tomorrow morning...Let me verify !!

Leave the car in neutral

Remove the black/white wire on starter

Jump it with the positive terminal from battery ? (can i use an old thick speaker wire that i have laying around?))

If the car turns over with the Jumper wire that means my starter selonoid is out correct...

Thanks for all the replies...

 

What you are describing is a bypass jump, [unplug black/white from starter solenoid and use jumper wire from batt. to starter solenoid] and if engine turns over the solenoid is good and the problem could be the starter relay, CIS ign. switch or wiring, [bad connection].

To check the starter relay, [without having to pull the radio and console] unplug the black/white lead at the starter solenoid and test for power on it when ign. key is in the start position, if no power, [but you can hear the relay click] the problem is either the starter relay or wiring between it and the solenoid, it can't be the ign. switch, CIS or wiring up to the relay because you can hear the relay click, but just because you can hear the relay click does not mean the relay is good.
If on the other hand there is power on the black/white then everything up to that point is good and the problem must be the starter solenoid or the starter motor itself, because it is an intermittent problem my guess would be the solenoid.

If you have power at the black/white but engine will not turn over try this, with someone holding ign. switch in start, give the solenoid a sharp tap or two, if engine starts turning over replace the solenoid. 94

 

Thanks..but since my car will only give me certain times that it wont start its kinda hard to find the problem...but today i actually tried the by pass thing.i was at home and it didnt want to start once again ! so i connected a wire from the starter solenoid were the blk/white wire connects to and then i touched the Positive terminal and my car started...


Thesis

[engine turned over with jump harness]

As u said if it passes this test then it leaves me with the "relay, CIS ign. switch or wiring, [bad connection]."

Ill test these things next time it does it....But i have a feelings its my relay because the starter had no power with the Blak/white wire connected to it??

Some one correct me if im wrong...


Thanks

 

You are correct. 94