KA won´t start...nothing turns

[AuburnRyan]

I´ve searched and think it´s the starter...help me out with ideas. 1993 KA

No signs of trouble for the last 6 months I´ve had the car, I drove home 3 hours sunday and try the car Monday and...

Turns 3 times and then stops...now nothing. When I turn the key I get 1 click while the clock/HVAC dims simotaneously and nothing all after that. I´ve tapped the starter wth a mallet and still nothing. Battery and all power options work fine.

Can anyone think of anything else it might be, or anything to save me some time? Do I have to buy a specific starter for a DOHC 91-94?

TIA for entertaing yet another noob question....only way to learn :coolugh:

[aznpoopy]

i vote for weak battery because of a bad alternator

have you tried jump starting the car

[AuburnRyan]

No I haven't tried jumping it yet...but the windows, radio, etc. work fine so the car gets good power from the battery, but the engine I don't know.

Next step will be to push start the car or swap starters to get it going...

I just hear the 1 faint click when turn the key. If the starter makes no noise, why suspect the alternator? Even if it was bad, wouldn't the car start and just run off the battery?

Thanks for the help :wavey:

[aznpoopy]

just because your accessories work doesnt mean the battery isn't weak. it takes alot of juice to turn over the engine. get a buddy to try helping you jump the car before you start spending cash or pushing a heavy ass car. you'll need a buddy to push start it anyway...

the reason i suspect the alternator is b/c you came off a three hour trip.

3 hour trip + dying alt = crapped out batt
crapped out batt = car no start

good luck

[RedSuns]

sounds like you need to clean up the battery terminal connections

[Edgar]

Have you checked your plugs and wires? And yea could more then likely be a battery problem.

[snp_ethan]

get a multitester, i had the same problem ill a couple of weeks ago.. mine s a s14 tho.. but check the battery,,. aznpoopy is right.. it takes a lot to start the engine.. I got 12.5 from the battery, until i tried to start the car, then I got like 5 or some S#!t like that. so, try tu jump is. if it works well that means that you whole electrcal systme does not short.. that leaves battery, alternator and maybe some other stuff that I am not aware of.. lol but go for the battery first.. key on ON position and try it.. if it goes dead right when you try to start it.. it's the battery

[MELLO*SOS]

Bad battery due to bad alternator is a good suggestion.

Or...

You could have a bad relay somewhere. Are you hearing that click when you put the key to ON position or when you crank?

Did you say the engine did turn over a few times at first, but now it doesn't turn over at all? That's even more support for a drained battery...

GL & be sure to update your thread when you figure it out...

[Irukandji]

i have the same problem

for me, the battery wasnt the problem. Either ur starter relay is corroded or the wiring to your starter is a little iffy.

Check both before replacing a $80 battery

[AuburnRyan]

put about 20 minutes into trouble shooting:

There was a little fuzz around terminals - cleaned with wire brush and sprayed with electrical cleaner (Lectra-Motive in the red can). Sprayed harnesses around starter and starter itself with electrical cleaner. - nothing

Pulled the westco battery from my working and starting SR car and put in KA car. - Nothing

Back at square 1 but I've eliminated battery. Still clicks only once and dims clock when I attempt to egage the start (i.e. crank). ON position functions normally. First time it did turn about 3 revolutions but didn't catch, then went silent.

I only need to get this started once to get this to the shop to swap my sr in this (current KA) chassis.

Can anyone suggest anything else short of replacing starter or alternator. I'm assuming if either is bad I should still be also to push start it and run off the battery (if alternator is gone).

Thanks all for the input...I've got a multitester and don't know how to use it - ROFL :duh: . Shocked myself pretty bad replacing some wiring in my condo last month - thought the power was cut...LOL.

[Irukandji]

hahaha damn good thing u didnt shock urself to death.

funny shit

my car sometimes doesnt start when its in gear ... WTF

i dunno... try taking the key in and out and reapplying pressure to the clutch...

try the most random things...

it might help

[aznpoopy]

Pulled the westco battery from my working and starting SR car and put in KA car. - Nothing

there goes the battery theory.

next step, push start with the good battery

if nothing then its probably wiring... which is quite a bitch

^^did i say wiring.^^ i meant starter. :ughd: stupid brain...

[theicecreamdan]

starters DO go out on these cars, pull it off and take it to kragen or autozone or some other auto parts place. they can test starters.

[snp_ethan]

ok try to jumpo it.. if it works.. well ....
BTW a link to learn how to use a multimeter:

http://www.doctronics.co.uk/meter.htm

[badvbe1992]

:bash: I'm having the same damn problem and cant figure it out for anything, i swear its a wire or relay issue but kinda stuck on maybe having a bad ignition switch. My relays click, my starter is new and so are my plugs, battery and wires. I s the starter relay the one under "ACC"? I can also pop the clutch and the car will run just fine. HELP!

[badvbe1992]

:bash: I'm having the same damn problem and cant figure it out for anything, i swear its a wire or relay issue but kinda stuck on maybe having a bad ignition switch. My relays click, my starter is new and so are my plugs, battery and wires. I s the starter relay the one under "ACC"? I can also pop the clutch and the car will run just fine. TRYING TO HELP WHILE GETTING HELPED!

[AuburnRyan]

Thanks for the multimeter link - reading up :o

I push started the car and drove it about 30 mins with no issues. I'm not replacing the starter as I'm selling the motor to swap in my SR.

It must have been the starter or realy. For the record, it went from working to dead overnight, no slow process...

Thanks for everyone's input...to sum up if your having this issue:

1. check and clean battery terminals and check battery power.
2. check and clean starter wiring.
3. check starter relay.
4. check for bad starter or alternator. - if you can jump start nad drive the car with no issues or battery drain it's likely the starter or relay.
5. Learn how to use miltimeter :rawk:

[AuburnRyan]

Bump old thread I know...

MY issue was, NOW SOLVED:

wouldn't start upon SR install, so troubleshooting revealed a broken off plastic peice behind clutch - must send some signal to allow start - safety device or something.

I should have checked this- I had issues with a broken brake contact behind brake pedal when I bought the car. Car was in great shape, I don't know why all the peices behind pedals were crumbling apart... :rant2:

[ledzeppelin240]

That's a neutral safety switch. Had all you done was use a test lamp at the START terminal of the starter you would have realized it was not getting voltage...Could have saved 'multiple' stupid replies...

[Irukandji]

hmm for those of you who still have this problem , and its not the neutral switch problem,

you can try checking/replacing the ACC relay. If its corroded you should only hear a click and no crank.