Duhvinci

Cheers all!

1989 S2, occasionally, when I turn the key to start, one click is all I hear, no engine cranking (I assume that is not DME, otherwise the engine will at least crank), but all I hear is literally, 1 click. Almost as if the battery is dead (but it's not) Battery new, terminals clean. All the dash lights come on fine, gauges come alive too.

If I remove the key and tap the ignition lock or insert the key and wiggle it a little, it does eventually start with zero issues. Is it safe to assume the ignition switch is most likely culprit?

Regards,
D

931guru

Most likely a worn ignition switch.

Duhvinci

Thanks! It is reasonably priced directly from the dealerships, $110 or so, will go ahead and order one.

Regards,
D

orig944

Might be your starter solenoid.

jeyjey

Grounding, battery, starter solenoid or ignition switch. Definitely not your DME.

spencang

I had similar characteristics years ago and it turned out to be the positive battery cable. It had corrosion inside of it that could not be seen on the outside...

Duhvinci

Cheers and thank you all for the feedback, appreciate it!

I'm going to start with ignition switch for now, easy to replace, factory part, and 30+ years old. The battery pretty much new, replaced it few months ago, have not seen any signs of corrosion on any terminals, will look and inspect it again though. Starter terminals and surrounding wires also looked good when I was under the 2 months ago while changing the motor mounts or doing the oil change a month ago, but will check again, since I have to replace the alternator cooling tube anyway.

Thank you all, will report as I tackle this little issue.

Regards,
D

P.S. The car re-started every time, sometimes at the fist turn (and always the first turn when cold), and sometimes after wiggling the key or tapping the key tumbler few times...