2.5 RS Still not starting.
 

So, after an hour of work, my car still isn't starting. I have checked the wires running from the battery to the starter, I replaced the starter, checked the battery, checked all the fuses and swapped all the relays in the engine fuse box. When I turn the key to the point that normally fires the starter, the lights dim a bit and the starter clicks. Does anyone know where the starter relay is? or Does anyone have any thoughts on how to fix this? I put my bank account into negative when I purchased the starter, so I need to do this myself. Other wise I would love to be able to just dump it on Cory. :P

Thanks for any help in advance.

-Chris

:( crappy

Return the new starter? many places will test the old one.

Lights dimming = short, or bad battery.

Will it push/bump start?

Will it turn over by hand? Put a Big socket on crank bolt. Ignition off!!!!

Yes. It will bump start and turn over by hand. I know the battery is old, and needs to be replaced, but it isn't what is causing the problem.

Are you sure? Tried putting a different battery in? The symptoms you're getting are exactly like having a bad battery.

I definitely checked the battery. I tried jumping it and I tried using cables from a new battery straight to my positive and neg cables completely bypassing my battery. The click from the starter was a bit more pronounced, then all the instruments turned off for a second or two, which makes me think its a relay or short somewhere. Any thoughts? I need a car to drive to school..

The car will start and run when bump started?

Jumper cables to disconnected battery cables usually will not start a car. Cables can't carry the current with just alligator clamps.

Ground connection?

I have a battery you can borrow for testing.

UPDATE: I just thought I would push my luck yesterday, and I put the key in and it clicked just like it has been, but this time I held it in that position. After like 2 seconds it started. It is really intermittent, and it doesn't always do that, but I thought that might be significant to figuring out what it is.

Ignition switch. Starter relay. wiring somewhere between battery, ignition switch, starter relay and starter.

Not starter...

Where is the starter relay? Is that the same thing as the starter solenoid? I have replaced the starter and starter solenoid already.

Yup, gotta be in there.

The relay is in the underhood fusebox IIRC.

I checked all/ swapped the relays in the underhood fusebox, and they didn't seem to do anything to fix the problem. Also, none of those relays say anything about ignition or starter.

Chris, you bought a starter before you knew what the problem was and we are trying to help, but you have to help yourself if you don't want to take it somewhere.

Read the owners manual, the service manual, etc. Do you have a multimeter? Do you know how to use it?

If you jump the starter solenoid to +12V, does it start? If so, it isn't the starter and never was.

The next part back is the relay.

In-Line/Before that is the clutch switch (MT)

Before that is the Security system relay if you have one.

Before that is the ignition switch.

Somewhere along that path, the power is not getting through. the most likely spots are relays and the ignition switch.

Oh, clutch switch. I think I had one get sticky on me and make starting fail intermittently. Crawl under and check to see if it releases cleanly when you depress the clutch.

you ever get that working?

I still dont have this working. I finally have some time to take a look at everything and see what I can do. I have checked the easy stuff like the clutch switch, battery, and starter. I know the starter works, because it will intermittently start up. I would like to try to jump the starter solenoid, but how do I do that? I also think the security system might be playing a large role in my problems. The ignition switch is working (to my knowledge, but I don't know how to test it.) I have a multimeter, but I haven't been using it too much. (The battery died the last time I was trying to figure out the problem, and I am going to get a new one today.)

I have looked through the owners manual, but there is no detailed information for anything regarding my problems.

I tried to jump the starter earlier this morning, but I couldn't figure it out. The ground and the power are constantly connected, and it looks like the lead coming from the ignition switch tells the solenoid to open and connect the circuit. Is this how it works? Does the ignition switch lead send a +12v to the solenoid to get it to start?

The shop manual shows the full wiring diagram and connectors.

Your objective is to try and find where the power is and isn't getting with the multimeter. just because the ignition switch occasionally works doesn't mean it isn't corroded or dirty which might explain why it only works sometimes.

Jumping the starter is getting +12 to the small solenoid lead on the starter. You can also go the other way and see if when you turn the ignition to start if that lead has full power or if it has <12 volts, but > 0, then you know you have a dirty contact somewhere.

There are some big amperage wires around the starter, so if you don't know what you are doing have somebody help who does.