Problems Starting.

[mcaracter]

What does it mean when you cannot start your car and the reverse lights come on no matter what gear you have it in. When I put the key to "ON" I sometimes hear the relays click and the fuel system pressurize. Nothing happens when you turn the key to start, however if you bypass the ignition with a screw driver on the posts of the starter it will turn over. All accessories and lights work as does the stereo.

Any suggestions?????


Thanks.

[mcaracter]

Come on! Somebody has got to have a suggestion. Now, for some reason, it's not even pressurizing.

[glhsken]

Assuming auto car here... Your starter lockout switch on the car is shorted. The car thinks its in gear and will not let you attempt to start it.

[mcaracter]

Great, I thought it was something along those lines. How do I fix that??

Thanks, if I'm lucky I can start this thing tonight

[lametec]

You can bypass the switch by shorting two of the pins in the lockout/reverse connector. I don't remember which two, though. Consult a wiring diagram.

Are you sure the tranny isn't stuck in reverse? Did you have the tranny apart?

[mcaracter]

As far as I can tell the tranny is in park but I'll try the bypass method. I did have the differential out, could this have altered something?

Thanks

[lametec]

Nope. I was thinking along the lines of having the valve body out or something.

Keep a foot on the brake if you try the bypass, just in case.

[mcaracter]

Ok, thanks. I'm gonna try to bypass it.

What about the fuel pump not pressurizing the system? Is this related?

Thanks.

[mcaracter]

Ok, I tried the bypass and now the relay clicks but the fuel pump isn't pressurizing and the starter isn't engaging.

I'm beginning to fear that I'll have to take it to my mechanic and though I'm sure he'll figure it out eventually I'm sure he won't be to thrilled with tinkering with my frankenstien project

[iTurbo]

Which relay is clicking when you try to start it? Have somebody watch and feel the relays. The ASD relay will come on and off for one second when you turn the key to 'on'. The starter relay should click when you turn the key to 'start', and will click again when you release the key from 'start'.

The fuel pump is controlled by the ASD relay. It doesn't have anything to do with your starter system.

[iTurbo]

When doing the starter lockout switch bypass, try unplugging the connector, and use a jumper to connect the center (brn/ylw) wire to ground. Try starting it then. Keep your foot on the brake just in case you aren't 100% sure what gear it is really in.

As you know, my car had a manual transaxle. When I was doing testing on your harness, I simply grounded the center wire (brn/ylw) on the 3-pin connector with a jumper. When I turned the key to 'start', I could easily hear the starter relay clicking.

[mcaracter]

It's not clicking in the sequence you describe. I'm only getting one click when I turn the key to 'start' and it's coming from the left relay on the drivers strut tower.

[iTurbo]

You need to identify which relay is clicking, and when. The ASD relay is small black relay. The starter relay is one of the metal enclosure types. If your starter relay clicks when you turn the key to 'start' (as opposed to 'on'), I would remove the starter and have it bench tested. The solenoid may be faulty.

[mcaracter]

The relay that is clicking is one of the metal inclosure types. There are two of them on the strut tower. If you are looking into the engine compartment it is the one on the left.

I have spare starters galore. I'll try one of them.

my fuel system does not get pressure until the car starts, I've watched a gauge and just turning the key on and hearing the pump kick in DOES NOT PUT PRESSURE IN THE SYSTEM.