pscottjr

I am in Houston where today my dad passed away. A very tough day.

Last night when leaving a restaurant my car would not start. Lights will come on but not start. I thought it was the battery and had it replaced today. Still lights and everything comes up but not crank. The volt meter in the car with key on will not read above 10.5 volts but battery has been load tested and is ok.

I may need to see where the short is. I need some quick thoughts as the car is still in front of the restaurant and I have very limited time and tools to fix.

Or anyone here in west Houston (near Memorial City) that can recommend a towing service to move the car about a mile to my dad's house?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Alan

Well unless the dash lights dim/go out when you try to crank its not the battery - if it does nothing then replace the starter relay (say with the horn relay). Other possibilities are the ignition switch or the starter solenoid.

Alan

pscottjr

Thanks for your quick response. So I will try to replace the starter relay with the horn relay first. I am a little punchy right now so I may get back on and ask some more questions.

I don't have a relay chart with me....I know bad boy. I will check it out on 928gt's site.

Thanks Allan

pscottjr

The plan is to replace relay #10 (X) for #14 (XIV). Unless someone tells me something else - this is the plan.

I will get back later, maybe even tommorrow.....

SeanR

Sorry to hear about your father. Well wishes to you.

pscottjr

Thank you Sean.

WallyP

If by "doesn't crank" you mean that the starter doesn't spin the engine, go to the 14-pin connector at the right front fender next to the jump start terminal. Carefully - repeat CAREFULLY pull the connector apart (you are trying to keep all of the wires from popping out of their sockets in the connector), and put the stripped end of a short piece of insulated stranded wire (lamp cord will do) into the female connector with the yellow wire, and plug the connector back together, trapping the wire in the yellow wire connector. Get the car ready to run - make SURE that it is in neutral!! - switch on, etc. Touch the other end of the jumper wire to the jump start terminal. If the starter now works, crank the car and get it to your Dad's house. If it doesn't work, the problem is the starter solenoid, the starter, or a main battery cable connection.

That looks like the least stressful way to get the car mobile again...

My sympathies for your loss.

pscottjr

Wally, thank you so much. I am still at the house now. However, I will do as you said. I did look at and try to "jiggle" the wires at the jump/start terminal. I will probably get some sleep now and tackle this in the morning when there is light and I have had some rest. I hope that it she is able to come back to Dad's house soon. She has been loyal to me for over 1,300 miles during the last feww weeks from San Antonio to Houston and back.

To all of you, thank you. This is a family.

I will report back.

the flyin' scotsman

The starter relay XIV can be replaced with X or XII............easy test is if the horn sounds then the XII relay is good. The X relay is the blower and is the same relay.

Sorry to hear of your loss.

pscottjr

Update, None of the great ideas worked.

So I am getting the car towed to my Dad's house and when I have time will see if I can determine and fix the no crank/start issue.

Thanks, I will be getting back asking more questions when I get into it.