So Im getting power to the starter, but car wont start (noob)

[MartyMcFly]

This has been going on for the last 3 months or so. Every so often, Id say 1 out of 10 times, when you turn the key to start the car, the car does nothing, no sounds other then the fuel pump priming. It is so annoying because you never know when the car will start back up again. Ive been stuck at a Home Depot parking lot for 4 hours because of this problem.

On most occasions, the car fires right up, like nothing was ever wrong. This led me to beleive I wasnt necesarilly having a electrical issue, but possibly an ignition switch issue.

To make a long story short, I go out to my car today to go work out, what do you know, my car wont engage. I get so worked up over the issue I walk 2 miles to the local parts store and buy a test light. I had someone turn the key and hold it to the start position while I tinkered around with the test light. Come to find out the starter is getting power after all. I tryed tightening the leads on the starter solenoid, but no dice.

Does this tell me that my starter solenoid could be stuck or my starter is crap? Its just really weird because at times I could hold the key in the start position for up to a minute and then the car will just spring to life out of nowhere.

If you guys agree that this is a starter issue, how difficult is it to replace a starter in sub zero temps? Thankyou in advance.

[reinvent]

This has been going on for the last 3 months or so. Every so often, Id say 1 out of 10 times, when you turn the key to start the car, the car does nothing, no sounds other then the fuel pump priming. It is so annoying because you never know when the car will start back up again. Ive been stuck at a Home Depot parking lot for 4 hours because of this problem.

On most occasions, the car fires right up, like nothing was ever wrong. This led me to beleive I wasnt necesarilly having a electrical issue, but possibly an ignition switch issue.

To make a long story short, I go out to my car today to go work out, what do you know, my car wont engage. I get so worked up over the issue I walk 2 miles to the local parts store and buy a test light. I had someone turn the key and hold it to the start position while I tinkered around with the test light. Come to find out the starter is getting power after all. I tryed tightening the leads on the starter solenoid, but no dice.

Does this tell me that my starter solenoid could be stuck or my starter is crap? Its just really weird because at times I could hold the key in the start position for up to a minute and then the car will just spring to life out of nowhere.

If you guys agree that this is a starter issue, how difficult is it to replace a starter in sub zero temps? Thankyou in advance.

hit the starter with_____.

[veeates36]

How about a push start..?

[Ceepo]

How about a push start..?
:werd:FTW!!!

[MartyMcFly]

forgot to mention that its an auto. sorry. I tryed whacking the solenoid with a heavy wrench, no luck

[reinvent]

ss sku jkljljalkjljm

[pancho y onions the 2nd]

Take out the starter take it to AutoZone get it tested. If it fail ya found the prob. If it passes then junk the car and buy a MG, Just playing haha. If its getting power to your starter you may have a dead spot so id say find a used starter. If not Check your N/P switch.

[aardvark]

my guess is the ignition. the contact points get old and work sometimes. quick $25 fix.

[jorge1190]

clean your grounds make sure they are tight...had a problem similar to this and had to park on hill so i could pop the clutch everytime haha

[socaldrifter13]

Try getting a new Starter Relay (http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?parttype=421&ptset=A&searchfor=Starter+Relay) that can also be your problem

[projectRDM]

When you say the starter is getting power, where it is getting power? The large lug with the 4ga wire will always have power, it's the smaller 12ga lead that plugs into the lower harness you should be looking at. If it has power then the solenoid is bad. If not, the inhibitor switch on the transmission could be bad.

[S14TEENZ]

my guess is the ignition. the contact points get old and work sometimes. quick $25 fix.

THATS IT ^^^^^:2f2f:

[s13Carlo]

sounds like the starter solenoid or the relay could be either or

[xsidewayzx]

try shocking it. touching the pos and the neg together

[MartyMcFly]

Wow, didn't mean to ignore you guys, I just didn't know people would still be responding to this thread.

I went ahead and purchased a used starter. I have yet to replace the starter with it though because the problem hasn't been occurring as much. I guess if it is the ignition switch that needs to be replaced, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a backup starter.

My question to you guys is do I need to remove the ingition cylinder off the steering column to replace the ignition switch? I know I know...do a search :)


Project RDM - I checked the wire that was connected to the positive terminal on the starter solenoid. Im assuming this is the wrong place to check because it would activate the test light regardless of key position.

I will check the grounds indeed. For the meantime Im going to do a search for ignition switch replacement, as well as relay. I'll update yall on status.

[S-Nation S13]

sound like a similar problem my brother had car would start cold just fine turned it off and no luck thought it was faulty cts changed it out help but still had problems startin when engine was hot we took it to nissan my homie works there diag the car although we changed out fuel pump and heard it prime that was the culprit it had "inadequate fuel pressure" basically faulty ass fuel pump :/ could be that imma idiot for not thinkin bout it just cause it was new...learned my lesson never doubt it!!

[charlie321]

i had a wierd starter problem for a while. it would start up perfect, and fast, like it should. but every so often the car would not start, or slowly start, to the point where i had to push start. i was ready to switch out the starter, hey it comes back to life! eventually it started doing it again, but it would never work anymore. tried hitting it, checking connections. i ended up pulling it out to find out that it had seized up and a chunk of the starter broke off.

i say switch it out, its only 2 bolts, 1 nut, and a plug.

[MartyMcFly]

your right, shouldnt be that difficult to get to, my question is, do I have to take out the starter from underneath the car or should i be able to get it from the top of the engine bay?

[alzahakar]

Underneath for sure.