My car won't start.

[dolphin]

Hello zilvia,

I just got done changing my oil on my sr20det, after I was done I tried to start my car but it would not start. At first I thought it was my battery, but it turns out the battery was fine. But every time I turn the key ignition I hear a clicking noise from the engine bay, but nothing is cranking. Does anyone have an idea what the problemi, on why my car isn't starting up? Thanks.

[sbc]

You probably knocked off the starter lead when you were getting at the oil filter. Check that. Its the spade connector on the starter.

[dolphin]

I see, that could be the problem cause it was a pain in the ass to take the filter off and i had to use a filter grip, Ill check tomorrow when I'm off work. Thanks

[SidewayZ-s14]

Check that as well as checking the alternator ground.
Same thing happened to me. Knocked off my alternator ground and car wouldnt start.

GoodLuck!

[dolphin]

Thanks guys for helping me out with my problem, so me and my buddies push start the car it fired up fine. I'm guessing its the starter but sidewayz Ill check out the alternator too thanks again guys.

[SidewayZ-s14]

Well, this is what you can do to check the starter.

Take jumper cables, put one red end on the starter, and the other red end on the positive side of the battery. If it starts it's not your starter. It could be your ignition switch not making a good contact with the key. This JUST happened to my buddy!!

[dolphin]

Okay cool thanks, Ill do this on my day off, I appreciate your help!

[240cracker]

S14 or S13?

i had that problem 3-4 time a week sometimes sitting in my car for 2hrs to start when i had S14.

it was my ignition switch and i heard its common with the S14

[Hashiriya415]

you hear clicking? Put your head close to the starter and if the starter is clicking then have someone turn the key or get vise-grips and hold it on "Crank position" while you tap the starter couple of times and if it doesn't start from tapping just do some hammering, you wont break it. Try to hit it right on the solenoid if it starts your starter solenoid is screwed, if it doesn't start it could still be your solenoid. Or wire from ignition key to starter solenoid is not getting enough voltage, get volt meter and check for battery+ voltage (example 12V+) while key on "crank position".
Another way to test your starter (use this if you don't have Volt meter), on the solenoid there is a big wire from battery which is B+ get a small piece of wire. Disconnect the small wire on the solenoid. Now jump from the big fat wire to were the small wire connected. Your starter should start or click indicating it's faulty.
By the way be very very safe when jumping the starter, put out of gear and hand brake up, all the way up so the car is impossible to move. My stupid friend at the shop was screwing around and shifted into gear and the hand brake was partially working, once I had the starter crank the car started and went straight out of the shop nearly killing us both. So please be safe.

[projectRDM]

And above all else, bypass the starter relay if you already haven't. Saves a lot of headache in the future.