Turn key, doesn't start

JaySVX · #1 06-23-2007, 07:43 PM

On my 92 LS-L i turn the key, and it clicks. i turn it off, and on, click, off, on, click, off, on, start. Then it runs fine. If it weren't happening like that, i'd think it was the starter, the battery, or the connection, but when it starts, it starts right up with no hesitation. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, how did yo ufix it? Thanks.

longassname · #2 06-23-2007, 08:24 PM

It's probably the starter. They go out like that...makes you go running around trying other fixes but no it's the starter. Don't get one from an auto parts store. Either get one from the suby dealer or get a used one off of an almost new suby.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySVX

On my 92 LS-L i turn the key, and it clicks. i turn it off, and on, click, off, on, click, off, on, start. Then it runs fine. If it weren't happening like that, i'd think it was the starter, the battery, or the connection, but when it starts, it starts right up with no hesitation. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, how did yo ufix it? Thanks.

Manarius · #3 06-23-2007, 08:24 PM

1. Clean up the connections between the starter and battery (make sure the battery is good).

If that doesn't fix it:

1. Try to replace the starter solenoid contacts. This is likely the cause of your trouble. If you can't replace those, you'll probably have to replace the whole starter.

2. If those don't work - it might be the ignition switch or igniter, but those are rather unlikely. The solenoid contacts most often cause that clicking sound you described.

wannarace928 · #4 06-23-2007, 09:27 PM

My car has done this exact same thing for a long time (since I bought it). I replaced the starter once when my car quit starting altogether (left me in a post office parking lot, but even though the starter is buried in there, it still is not that hard to replace, I replaced it in the parking lot), but the starter I replaced it with was a used one, and it still does the exact same thing, the car will start 90% of the time correctly, then once in a while it does that turn the key and click thing.

Trevor · #5 06-23-2007, 09:57 PM

This same problem has been thrashed out many times and the ignition switch has been the culprit. The evidence is on record so do a search.

Whatever you do, don't replace the starter without properly diagnosing the exact problem.

longassname · #6 06-23-2007, 10:21 PM

I'm not sure that is exactly correct. I believe some people used a relay to send more current to the solenoid than the ignition key does to solve the problem but it doesn't necessarily follow that the ignition key is the problem.

Often times a great deal of the problem is the contact on the solenoid isn't very good. When you're stuck in a parking lot it never hurts to give that spade connection a jiggle and try to get it on real tight. Even better, remove the plastic and adjust the spade to actually fit on tightly.

None the less these starters do weird things when they start going bad. If you see your clock dim out when you turn the key and the car doesn't start that's not your ignition switch. That's basically a short through the starter and it sucks so much life out of the electrical system you'll register a voltage drop accross all other contact points even if they are relatively good.

If your clock doesn't dim start looking at your ignition switch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevor

This same problem has been thrashed out many times and the ignition switch has been the culprit. The evidence is on record so do a search.

Whatever you do, don't replace the starter without properly diagnosing the exact problem.

TomsSVX · #7 06-23-2007, 11:29 PM

well... lets put it this way...

I had this problem with my 6mt for some time... I knew exactly what was causing the issue but never got around to fixing it... Finally I replaced my neutral saftey switch wires with 14AWG wires instead of the 22-24 gauge I had in there... problem has since been non-existant. SO this goes to show it is lack of good current to the starter... Trevor said it right... when its doing this its most likely the ignition switch on the way out

Tom

Trevor · #8 06-24-2007, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longassname

I'm not sure that is exactly correct. I believe some people used a relay to send more current to the solenoid than the ignition key does to solve the problem but it doesn't necessarily follow that the ignition key is the problem.

Often times a great deal of the problem is the contact on the solenoid isn't very good. When you're stuck in a parking lot it never hurts to give that spade connection a jiggle and try to get it on real tight. Even better, remove the plastic and adjust the spade to actually fit on tightly.

None the less these starters do weird things when they start going bad. If you see your clock dim out when you turn the key and the car doesn't start that's not your ignition switch. That's basically a short through the starter and it sucks so much life out of the electrical system you'll register a voltage drop accross all other contact points even if they are relatively good.

If your clock doesn't dim start looking at your ignition switch.

Nothing weird is involved only logic and electrical facts. This has all well and truly been gone over and sorted, as is fully recorded, including all aspects the senseless fitting of a slave relay. I am not about to go through it all again.

immortal_suby · #9 01-26-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longassname

Often times a great deal of the problem is the contact on the solenoid isn't very good. When you're stuck in a parking lot it never hurts to give that spade connection a jiggle and try to get it on real tight. Even better, remove the plastic and adjust the spade to actually fit on tightly.
If your clock doesn't dim start looking at your ignition switch.

Mine has done this intermittently since I removed the dash to replace a heater core. It's likely I got something loose in the process that caused it. When you are talking about the spade terminal do you mean there is one in the steering column attached to the ignition switch?

Looking at working on this one today. I'll report back with results.

degeso · #10 12-17-2008, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longassname

I'm not sure that is exactly correct. I believe some people used a relay to send more current to the solenoid than the ignition key does to solve the problem but it doesn't necessarily follow that the ignition key is the problem.

Often times a great deal of the problem is the contact on the solenoid isn't very good. When you're stuck in a parking lot it never hurts to give that spade connection a jiggle and try to get it on real tight. Even better, remove the plastic and adjust the spade to actually fit on tightly.

None the less these starters do weird things when they start going bad. If you see your clock dim out when you turn the key and the car doesn't start that's not your ignition switch. That's basically a short through the starter and it sucks so much life out of the electrical system you'll register a voltage drop accross all other contact points even if they are relatively good.

If your clock doesn't dim start looking at your ignition switch.

where is the spade connector