Trying to diagnose a starting issue on my 4S and need HELP!
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Trying to diagnose a starting issue on my 4S and need HELP!
Hi Guys,
Recently I've been running out of patience with my car and I'm really turned off by it. Besides the pressure plate failing for no reason (got a new clutch kit, plus RMS and some other $500 part inside) I decided to get the flywheel resurfaced. This was a big mistake which ended up costing me more as the flywheel literally broke from the rivets (mechanic said he's never seen this happen before) and towing, plus labour for both incidents ended up costing me approx 5K.
Clutch Interlock Switch - Now this is a really magical part that I ended up changing out a few times... the symptoms for this one are beyond belief that vary in all sorts of weird clutch actions. Finally fixed this and I think I'll be good for a little while.
Now to the starting issue - I've been having delayed starts forever and as the colder weather comes, it gets worst. I sometimes have to hold the key turned for more then 30 seconds for it to start. Turning the key back or taking it out and trying again does not seem to make a difference(yes, I do press down the clutch all the way down). I bought a new ignition switch and just swapped it out a few minutes ago (it seemed to fix my sunroof electrical problems) but the delayed start is still there. Sometimes I hear a minor click as if it was about to engage but then nothing again until it finally starts one shot.
What can this starting issue be?
Thanks,
Alin
Recently I've been running out of patience with my car and I'm really turned off by it. Besides the pressure plate failing for no reason (got a new clutch kit, plus RMS and some other $500 part inside) I decided to get the flywheel resurfaced. This was a big mistake which ended up costing me more as the flywheel literally broke from the rivets (mechanic said he's never seen this happen before) and towing, plus labour for both incidents ended up costing me approx 5K.
Clutch Interlock Switch - Now this is a really magical part that I ended up changing out a few times... the symptoms for this one are beyond belief that vary in all sorts of weird clutch actions. Finally fixed this and I think I'll be good for a little while.
Now to the starting issue - I've been having delayed starts forever and as the colder weather comes, it gets worst. I sometimes have to hold the key turned for more then 30 seconds for it to start. Turning the key back or taking it out and trying again does not seem to make a difference(yes, I do press down the clutch all the way down). I bought a new ignition switch and just swapped it out a few minutes ago (it seemed to fix my sunroof electrical problems) but the delayed start is still there. Sometimes I hear a minor click as if it was about to engage but then nothing again until it finally starts one shot.
What can this starting issue be?
Thanks,
Alin
Last edited by Topaz330ci; 10-11-2014 at 08:27 PM.
#2
This will require some real-time troubleshooting when it occurs. Since you have replaced the clutch interlock switch and the ignition switch, the other two potential suspects are the interlock relay and the starter itself. Since it sounds like intermittent, the easiest is to wire some test light (where you can see when you crank) to the rear start lock relay power pin to the starter. If it happens next time and the light turns on when you try to crank, it means the starter has power but it doesn't activate. That means you need a new starter. If the light doesn't turn on when you crank, it means somehow the relay in not activating so you will need to troubleshoot that branch further.
#3
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
This will require some real-time troubleshooting when it occurs. Since you have replaced the clutch interlock switch and the ignition switch, the other two potential suspects are the interlock relay and the starter itself. Since it sounds like intermittent, the easiest is to wire some test light (where you can see when you crank) to the rear start lock relay power pin to the starter. If it happens next time and the light turns on when you try to crank, it means the starter has power but it doesn't activate. That means you need a new starter. If the light doesn't turn on when you crank, it means somehow the relay in not activating so you will need to troubleshoot that branch further.
Once the engine is on and operating at it's normal operating temp, it will start up right away all the time. It's only after it sits for a longer period of time that I get these symptoms.
So just to clarify, it's not like the engine is cranking and it just doesn't turn over... I turn the key and literally nothing happens. All the dash lights are on and everything is operating normally. It's just a very delayed start.
#4
I'll head to the dealer tmrw and get the relay as I had this in mind as well. I for some reason doubt it's the problem. If the relay doesn't work, I'll look into further testing the starter.
Once the engine is on and operating at it's normal operating temp, it will start up right away all the time. It's only after it sits for a longer period of time that I get these symptoms.
Once the engine is on and operating at it's normal operating temp, it will start up right away all the time. It's only after it sits for a longer period of time that I get these symptoms.
#7
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You have the same syptoms I had with a bad clutch interlock switch, which appeared also to made the starter crank more slowly once it engaged. Since you have replaced this switch, maybe you could get the supplier to give you another one so you can make sure the first one wasn't a bad, new switch.
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#8
You have the same syptoms I had with a bad clutch interlock switch, which appeared also to made the starter crank more slowly once it engaged. Since you have replaced this switch, maybe you could get the supplier to give you another one so you can make sure the first one wasn't a bad, new switch.
Or you can just bypass the switch completely for now. Just unplug the two connectors from the switch and then short them together.
#9
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I went through 3 clutch interlock switches. (The red/black plastic one) Dealer also said the brown/black plastic one is the same part... for any reason if you push the plastic tab to much in, it's toast - so they say. I pulled the plastic back to it's original length and it works fine now. All the weird clutch symptoms went away, but the delayed starts are still happening.
I haven't tried changing the interlock relay (one that makes a click when pressing down the clutch). I might try that but I doubt that would fail... You never know though.
I haven't tried changing the interlock relay (one that makes a click when pressing down the clutch). I might try that but I doubt that would fail... You never know though.
#10
Race Director
I went through 3 clutch interlock switches. (The red/black plastic one) Dealer also said the brown/black plastic one is the same part... for any reason if you push the plastic tab to much in, it's toast - so they say. I pulled the plastic back to it's original length and it works fine now. All the weird clutch symptoms went away, but the delayed starts are still happening.
I haven't tried changing the interlock relay (one that makes a click when pressing down the clutch). I might try that but I doubt that would fail... You never know though.
I haven't tried changing the interlock relay (one that makes a click when pressing down the clutch). I might try that but I doubt that would fail... You never know though.
#11
I went through 3 clutch interlock switches. (The red/black plastic one) Dealer also said the brown/black plastic one is the same part... for any reason if you push the plastic tab to much in, it's toast - so they say. I pulled the plastic back to it's original length and it works fine now. All the weird clutch symptoms went away, but the delayed starts are still happening.
I haven't tried changing the interlock relay (one that makes a click when pressing down the clutch). I might try that but I doubt that would fail... You never know though.
I haven't tried changing the interlock relay (one that makes a click when pressing down the clutch). I might try that but I doubt that would fail... You never know though.
#13
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Yes. If I go back and forth it's pretty much the same thing. hit or miss. I have more of a chance to just keep it in the start position until it starts. 30 seconds is the longest, in the morning when it's colder. After that I usually hold it for 5-10 seconds at most, and if the car is fully warmed and it's been started a few times already (stopping at the bank, store, etc...) then it fires up right away with no delays.
#14
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I will install the new gray microswitch in the next 2 days and report back. If that doesn't fix it, it's most likely my starter.
#15
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
The one you need to check/replace is the one the yellow arrow points to Attachment 875898