BPG_Austin

Need some help please. Car wouldn't start this weekend after a 3 hour drive. The car had full electrical capacity, I could hear the starter selonoid click when bumping the key but no starter. After a lot of troubleshooting I cycled the locks and she fired right up. To my knowledge I do Not have an alam car. Its an early '87 and the key shaft measures 41mm. The car would not start again later that day. I sat in the drivers seat, closed the door and pushed the locking button on the dash. After the doors locked the car fired right up. Can anyone shed some light as to why this would happen? Thanks!

Alan

It has nothing to do with the locks - if locking the car causes it to start thats the opposite of the stock configuration (ulocking = disarm alarm).

I suspect you have a failing starter relay, ground strap / battery connection or starter solenoid.

Start with swapping the starter relay and cleaning the battery terminals.

when you turn the key to the starter position - do the dash lights go dim/off or stay on...?

Alan

BPG_Austin

Thanks for your help Alan. I swapped the starter relay while troubleshooting the car as well as pulled off battery connections (which looked clean) and re-tightened. Relay checked out OK. Headlights cycled quicky and battery had strong charge. Upon turning the key dash lights remained illuminated.

Kevin in Atlanta

This may not apply to your MY, but I had a non start after warm issue. Traced the issue back to the connectors under the black plastic cover in the spare tire well that were frayed.

Alan

If the lights stay illuminated while attempting to start - it is not the ground strap or battery connections. Instead it is most likely the igniition switch, starter relay or the wiring to the starter solenoid or the solenoid itself.

When you said you can hear the starter click - be aware you may be hearing several things you normally would not (due to no starter sound).

The fuel pump relay engages at the same time as the starter relay and you may hear either of these as loud as the solenoid (esp. with the fuse cover off).

Next time it fails - pull the fuel pump relay - do you still hear the starter relay click - can you have someone get under the car where the starter is and see if they hear the solenoid click there?.

If the solenoid is clicking and the starter not activating - you need a new/rebuilt starter motor.

Alan

BPG_Austin

Thanks guys. I"ll check electrical connections to be safe, and Alan, thanks for the process of elimination checklist. I'll give her a go next time she won't start.

BG.