SR20det random failure to start, starter clicking but not engaging.

[ep3scott]

Looking for some insight from you guys. I've got a 95 Zenki with a Blacktop SR20DET. For the past 2 weeks ive been having trouble with getting it to start. Intermittently the car will just click when the key is turned to the on position. I have replaced the starter for a brand new ISIS unit, replaced the fuses and also replaced the ground for the starter with a brand new line.

Some situations that can often cause the car to start, after the key fails to start it first time.

- Disconnecting the negative terminal and reconnecting it sometimes works.
- Wiggling the starter ground sometimes works.
- Pushing the car and then popping the clutch, then stopping and using the key worked (mysteriously)
- Wiggling the fusebox sometimes works.
- Waiting for 5 minutes sometimes works.

Basically, I'm all out of ideas, every time I think i've got it fixed, the car will leave me stranded.

Picture of the car for attention:

http://i62.tinypic.com/3011ycj.jpg

Thanks in advance!

[ultimateirving]

Sounds like the relay or something clicking? And it's one single click. Not a fast clicking correct? I've been chasing the same issue myself.

Is your battery relocated in the trunk?

[blkvrtswp]

Same story here - intermittent one click each time key was turned. Not alt, batt, wires, grounds - all replaced. Voltages all good everywhere. Hook up jumper cables - instant start. Use a remote under-hood switch to bypass the OEM ingition - instant start.

3+ years of my frustration, and I finally found that the ignition switch ($16 for S13 new on Amazon) had 2 dead spots. One when fully turned to 'Start' (all the way) and another one at the beginning of the 'Start' zone. So the madder I got, the more violently I turned the key, and the faster it skipped over the live spots to the dead spot.

I had to start my car 50 times in a row over the next 3 days to finally admit victory! 1 month later no problems.

[ep3scott]

@BLKVRTSWP

- YES this is exactly what im experiencing. I've bought an ignition switch: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G7OUYI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

from Amazon, is it likely to be that part, or is it going to be the actual barrel?

Cheers for the insights, im pulling my fucking hair out here.

[blkvrtswp]

Yup - that looks very similar to the S13 one. It's unlikely to be the lock cylinder - I didn't touch mine, ignition switch is held on by 1 screw.

Most satisfying 5 minute fix I have ever made!

Good luck!

[ep3scott]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3tyTCCt4pk -
This is the exact issue im having.

[rastaman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3tyTCCt4pk -
This is the exact issue im having.

So what fix this issue any updates? Starter switch?

[blkvrtswp]

In my case the single click was the solenoid moving out as trigger current reached the starter, only to hit the dead spot on the ignition switch which cut the trigger signal, so the solenoid returned to rest. Never made it to the end where it engages the motor contacts.

It would start dozens of times in a row after an 'incident', only to fail the next time I tried it.

Ignition switch - $20 fix, 15 minutes of work.
:2f2f:

[ep3scott]

That sounds like exactly what is happening with my car BLKVTR, the car was stuck at work tonight, I got in to try before I walked home and nothing..click click click. Then I took the key out and tried one more time and boom! It worked again. Nothing on the car had moved, no earths, no cables.

The part should be here tomorrow so fingers crossed I can fix it on my lunch break :D

[ultimateirving]

In my case the single click was the solenoid moving out as trigger current reached the starter, only to hit the dead spot on the ignition switch which cut the trigger signal, so the solenoid returned to rest. Never made it to the end where it engages the motor contacts.

It would start dozens of times in a row after an 'incident', only to fail the next time I tried it.

Ignition switch - $20 fix, 15 minutes of work.
:2f2f:

I replaced my ignition switch and it never corrected the issue.
Hopefully it works for the Op

[blkvrtswp]

I agree - it's not going to be the fix for everyone. But in my case, I replaced the starter ($200) and molested all my wiring harnesses first - should have done the $20 ignition switch fix first!

[rastaman]

Clutch switch can cause this if not press all the way in too..

[ep3scott]

Okay, so I think ive got this worked out. I replaced the ignition switch which helped the situation, but it didn't fix it. I do think I know the problem now though. It's the key.

I tried my spare and the spare works every time, and when I turn the car to the on position, it chimes where my other key didn't. For safety I'm not going to wire up a ignition button too, so if my key fails in future I can just start the motor using the button and the key too.

[rastaman]

^^ you should try the ignition key cylinder and new new too..

[Kingtal0n]

MY 95 was like that. I was the only one who could start it. You had to "feel a certain way" when you put the key in, and turned it. I would do this all the time, give the key to someone and have them try to start it, sometimes for several minutes. Then I would reach over and turn the key and it would work for me instantly :D

[blkvrtswp]

You had to "feel a certain way" when you put the key in, and turned it.

Yeah, for a while I was convinced my car knew when I wanted to drive it not just start and tune/test. If I had my wallet in my pocket when I sat down it would not start.

Not true of course, but for a week or two it seemed like my car was actively fucking with me.....

:rant2: :fawk2:

[ep3scott]

Not true of course, but for a week or two it seemed like my car was actively fucking with me.....


I'm convinced that this is what all 240's do. Mine just kicks my ass at every opportunity.

[ep3scott]

Okay to follow up on this...

It's still not fixed.

I've replaced the starter, fuses, ignition switch, bypassed the key barrel (push to start), grounds. I'm literally out of ideas at this point. I might just go super ghetto and wire up a direct line to the starter solenoid at this point.

[blkvrtswp]

You can remove the ignition switch and turn it with a screwdriver. That should isolate the key barrel if that is the problem. Make sure you don't have a simple dead battery from all the testing.

One thing that might help - where exactly is the single click coming from? Is it still a single click?

[rastaman]

Did you try the key tumbler ? The part where the key goes in?