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Starter problem or something else?; Car isn't starting
Topic Started: Jun 9 2010, 11:31 PM (4,036 Views)
Dark Blitz
New Member
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Hey guys, so first post here but I've been checking other threads here and found quite some useful info. Great site!

Anyhow, I was recommended to post here from a teamswift.net member. He thought I might get more answers to my issue..

Here's the link for records:
http://www.teamswift.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=48024

To resume,
The car randomly stopped starting. I have an anti-starter/killswitch in the car. You have to press it for the car to start basically. Anyway, I'd press it and try to start the car but the starter wouldn't turn. I'd hear some krr krrr noises from either the starter and the dash (now that I think about it, oil light would dim during the krr noise if I keep the key pushed to the max in the iginition). I thought it was the starter... so I got a rebuilt one... swapped it out today and tada!... nothing. Car doesn't crank any better. I'm wondering if I did something wrong or if the problem could be elsewhere. I'm pretty pissed I spent the money on a new starter since I can't return it (it's installed on the car already) so... I'm all out of ideas. A friend offered the idea it could be the anti-starter (which I'm not too keen on because sometimes it seems like the starter tries to click but just can't move) or some relay/fuse box.

What says you guys?

Thanks!

Additional info:
Car is, 1999 Firefly w/ G10 engine. 1L 3 cyl. Roughly ~140K km on the clock (under 80K miles I think?)
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Good bye


One of my metro's was missing one of the hollow dowels that the starter bolts go through. This let the starter settle and the drive would hit the flywheel instead of engaging the flywheel sometimes. Maybe worth a look.
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crankcase


Check all the wires to be shure they are tightly connected to the terminals.
Wires to high current items like a starter MUST be tight, don't go crazy,
just be shure they are more than hand tight.

Get the battery tested if you have not done that.
I would assume the wires should be good at the starter since you just did them.
Concentrate around your anti-starter/killswitch in the car.

Check the voltage before and after the switch as you are trying to start it (when it's erring).
You should have very little drop accross the anti-starter/killswitch in the car.

Check the battery cable terminals close for damage and corrosion.
These can look good at first glance but be bad. Also, look for any
repairs to the battery cable wires (black tape, splices etc.) These
can hide corrosion.

If your cables from the battery are bad you should see low voltage
at your anti-starter/killswitch. If it's much below 12 volts look at
your big wire going to the anti-starter/killswitch.

If you don't have a multi-meter, I suggest you get one. They are
pretty easy to learn and there are a ton of videos on youtub on using them.
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Memphis metro


What do I think? I think you either have a battery that is no good, or a bad cable connection at the battery. Thats what I think.
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metroschultz
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Please just call me; "Schultz"

:+1
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

Welcome to the forum, Dark Blitz! :coffee

I concur, these cars are known for bad grounds. crankcase suggests a multi-meter, maybe Harbor Freight, and I use a Dremel Tool with the wire brush for cleaning electrical contacts. I added heavy duty grounds (7mm AL) from the battery to the transmission, distributor and body. :D
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crankcase


Metroschultz, a little off the mark, but did you ever post pictures of your bearing press?
I lost track of the threads where you were going to use it. I did see some pictures you posted,
but never could find the press pictures.
Edited by crankcase, Jun 10 2010, 11:53 PM.
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metroschultz
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Please just call me; "Schultz"

Yes I did,
but it's late,
and I'm tired,
So I'll look for them tomorrow.
Killerofangels was supposed to post some of the press in action as we fixed his bearings.
Look for his wheel bearing thread.
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crankcase


Cool, thanks. If I had any sense I would go to bed too, it's just that I do my best sleeping right before it's time to get up.
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Dark Blitz
New Member
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Sleep is good!

Oooookay... so.. I swapped out the battery with another one I had lying around. Slightly more power than the 550ca I have, it was around 850ca.. Now, I got a stronger "tack, tack" when I tried starting the car. This kinda makes me believe the pos wire is good, correct?
I know the battery is good I just tested it a bit ago.

Second, I undid the two wires on the starter again. Figured I messed something up... well, pos wire still looks spanking clean with no cut. HOWEVER, the ground?/ignition wire (little black and red) is wrapped with something thick and white before going in the black plastic boot and then what seems like the engine block (can't see squat). I looked around and in between that white thing and the black plastic boot/housing/thing, the wire is naked and just out there. Not sure if it was cut or not (again, hard to see).

So now... what the flops am I supposed to do? Replace that small wire? How? I don't even know/see where it's in on the other side.
Otherwise, does this mean it's not an ignition problem and it's just the pos+ cable that's done?
Or is it an ignition problem?
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StevieC
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If you can get any pictures that'd be helpful.

If that wire is corroded then it isn't capable of delivering the amps required to power the starter - as far as the starter is concerned, that's the equivalent of a flat battery. Get yourself some wire brushes and clean it up :)
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Dark Blitz
New Member
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Well, update time!

I fiddled around with the ignition wire that's plugged in the starter (small wire) and the car WORKS! It's ALIVE!! Aliiiveee!!! mwuahaha... okay, I'm good now. =)

If I wiggle it sometimes it doesn't seem to work, but if it's pushed downward it works.
Now, I guess I'm gonna have to replace that wire? or can I just tape it? It's hard to reach and again, have no idea how to fix it...

One little thing to add, when I start the car now, it takes a bit longer to crank than the old starter. Normal or... ?

I can try to get pics but I'm gonna need a small camera and stuff.. it's a tight spot! It's also not corroded, just exposed and *perhaps* cut at one bit...
Edited by Dark Blitz, Jun 11 2010, 02:48 PM.
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StevieC
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Sounds like you just need to repair that wire! Maybe someone has a circuit diagram to show where it connects at the other end.
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crankcase


It sounds like the connector has just gotten loose over time.

Try disconnecting the small wire from the starter.
Get a pair of pliers to crimp the connecter so it will grip the terminal on the starter a little tighter.
If you pinch it too much it will be hard to get on, just try to make it so it fits tighter.
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

Congrats on getting it started! :thumb :thumb :rocker

Here are two links with pictures...
Metro 'Vert won't start. post #2
Rooy did Starter Overhaul
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