I have a friend bringing in an NA-18 that intermittently has what he describes as a dead spot when he tries to start the car, It will not crank. Is that a bad starter or is that an ignition switch issue or something else?
I have a friend bringing in an NA-18 that intermittently has what he describes as a dead spot when he tries to start the car, It will not crank. Is that a bad starter or is that an ignition switch issue or something else?
Frank
TnT Racing
SCCA Ohio Valley Region
It can be either. Often if it is the starter, tapping on it will make it start. If tapping makes a difference I would replace the starter. If not I would check tight connections and ignition switch.
If the starter and battery check out OK, you might want to check all the grounds in the battery/kill switch/starter/alternator circuit.
-tch
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There's no relay in the starting cicuit---the battery is direct wired to the starter.
1. Unswitched power goes direct from the battery (not through the main relay) to the "B" terminal on the solenoid.
2. Start signal from Ignition switch passes through the clutch interlock switch, then directly to the "S" terminal on the solenoid.
3. Battery return passes through the starter body into the engine block, then back through the engine grounding strap to the chassis ground. Can also pass through transmission case to the PPF to the rear grounding strap (if its still in tact).
-tch
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Thank you for your input so far, I see the car Tomorrow. This is what it does. puts key in ignition, it clicks turns off key does it again maybe a few times then it starts. Sometimes it just starts, some times its a few attempts of key on and off to get it to start.
So I only know the 99+ cars is the starter relay in main fuse box?
Solenoid is on the starter correct?
No kill switch in car, its a track car not race car I think.
I can give more specifics on noise/sound when i see it. I have a new starter so i will go there after i look over the wiring.
Frank
TnT Racing
SCCA Ohio Valley Region
-tch
Build: www.tomhampton.info
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There is also the possibility that the problem may be mechanical in nature. Not unusual to find an area on the flywheel ring gear teeth that have become damaged to where the starter pinion gear does not ramp into mesh with the flywheel teeth ( commonly referred to as ring gear teeth milling).
A quick test is (with the trans in gear) rock the car so the crankshaft is moved from it's current position and try engaging the starter again. If it engages and cranks fine it could be a bad spot in the ring gear teeth, starter Pinion gear or even possibly how the starter was tightened into position when last installed.
Rich Powers
Well i hope the problem is easy, i will send a report back.
Frank
TnT Racing
SCCA Ohio Valley Region
Funny how these things come up just when you are having the same issue! Tom's description is spot on(I just had a friend who is a good electrical guy read the 99 schematic for me...his description was identical). My car would start first try sometimes...other times I have turned the key up to 20 times before it engaged the starter. When a no start situation, could never hear anything(solenoid)but the dash lights would dim every time. I swapped the starter...fired right up! Next day...nothing...doh!!! My clutch switch is still in the loop so that is my first thing to by-pass. After that it will be ignition switch!
Ron
RAmotorsports
Well i hope the problem is easy
So does your friend who knows what lawyers charge per hour
Well the car came in today and i could not duplicate the no start, started up every time. He brought a new starter so i am going to install it. I noticed that the spade wire that plugs into the starter was oil soaked and not a good connection so i will look that over.
If i decide to bypass the clutch switch what is the easiest way to do that as I am old decrepit and don't like hanging up side down.
Frank
TnT Racing
SCCA Ohio Valley Region
In my 1999 there is a white connector on the left side of the footwell. You can see the cables coming from the clutch switch. You can disconnect the connector and cut and splice the wires together and then re insert it ( the connector on the side that goes to the clutch switch) If the car has a roll cage it's a bit of a pain. Not sure if it's exactly the same in a NA 1.8, but splicing the wires is easiest way to go. I pulled the connector from my parts car and then disconnected it in car and re inserted the new one. Other ways to do it, but that worked for me.
Cal Hay
Its basically just connecting the circuit, is it just two wires?
Frank
TnT Racing
SCCA Ohio Valley Region
-tch
Build: www.tomhampton.info
video: vimeo.com/tomhampton
Support: X-Factor Racing
I didn't lose, I just got outspent!
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