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simple starter problem? 92 metro manual
Topic Started: Apr 19 2015, 07:34 PM (1,541 Views)
aeiou
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So. I have a 1992 Geo Metro, standard transmission and I've been using it to commute and go on the occasional camping or hiking trip. a few months ago driving over Grant's Pass I blew the head gasket and I've been having problems ever since.

a buddy helped me replace the head gasket. and during a radiator flush to clear out the stop leak i had put in it the alternator shorted out. so we replaced that as well. after that i figured that i might as well give it a tune up - distributor cap, spark plugs, fuel filter - and oil change. and now it runs smoothly.

well, i went to start the car, the lights come on, the heater fan works, the cigarette lighter heats up, but starter didn't turnover.

i took it down to autozone and it failed the tests, and discovered it was for an automatic and since one for a manual transmission was half the cost i picked one up and figured it would work fine. but it is different looking. so i put it back in an it still doesn't turn over, though, when i jumper it separately to the battery it works.

so questions - and i feel stupid here:
1 - i've hooked up the wire that goes to the battery and the wire in the wiring harness that goes to the clutch neutral switch. is there a ground wire?
2 - there is another wire on the starter. i've tried starting the geo with it hanging loose and with it attached to the bottom post. no luck either way. what is this wire?
3 - could it be the clutch neutral switch? with the car in gear and the clutch engaged the car rolls freely.
4 - could it be the ignition?

any help will be much appreciated. i was stumped and then my buddy came over who has WAY more experience and he is stumped.
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MR Bill
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Check your grounds , check the one on the intake under where the TBI is. Loose ground and it will not start.
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geogonfa
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Just my .02...check the big yellow bus fuse in the fuse box under the hood...and as mentioned above, check your grounds
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aeiou
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thanks. how many wires attach to the starter? i will check the grounds.
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aeiou
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will check the big yellow fuse as well.
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Stubby79
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You're presumably not getting any power output to the starter solenoid...but I'd check for power there, just to be sure. You'll need someone else in the driver's seat while you use a volt meter or a test light between it and a ground source.
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aeiou
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well, again, my biggest concern is that i can't find the third wire that connects to the starter. i swear i disconnected three wires when i took the old one off, but have only connected the thick wire that connects to the battery and the wire that clips on that is in the wiring harness that goes to the clutch neutral switch.
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Metromightymouse
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That should be it. Power wire from the battery and ignition wire that runs through the clutch safety switch. Ground is established through the housing where it mounts to the engine/ transmission.
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aeiou
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ah. cool. i thought i was going nuts. thanks for the help.
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Highwayman
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If you want a quick simple check of the clutch safety switch; unplug the connector from the switch above the petal and install a 15 or 20 amp fuse in the plug effectively jumpering and bypassing the SAFETY switch . MAKE SURE the car is in neutral and brake on as the car will now start without pushing in the clutch and will start in gear. If it now cranks, replace the safety switch. Also, remember the starter motor has a steel spacershim under it so dont leave it off.
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Hanuman
"The Almighty Grounds Cleaner"

Highwayman
Apr 20 2015, 09:50 PM
If you want a quick simple check of the clutch safety switch; unplug the connector from the switch above the petal and install a 15 or 20 amp fuse in the plug effectively jumpering and bypassing the SAFETY switch . MAKE SURE the car is in neutral and brake on as the car will now start without pushing in the clutch and will start in gear. If it now cranks, replace the safety switch. Also, remember the starter motor has a steel spacershim under it so dont leave it off.
to add a detail to the clutch switch........

i have noticed on a hand full of metros the clutch sswitch wont work unless the peddle is on the floor, in those cases if you press harder on the peddle it wont work, in which case if you then lift up on the pressure ......it cranks.

other metros the switch is closed with the peddle a inch off the floor.

this may be wear in the peddle mechanical, lack of adjustment, or worn switches.
just something i have obsurved while diagnosing peoples metros.
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aeiou
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interesting. grounds and fuses fine. hanuman's suggestion got me to fiddle around with the clutch pedal and i got it to start again, turned it off and, again, it wouldn't start. i tightened the clutch cable. still no luck. i will try to adjust the pedal and look again at the switch and contacts.
Edited by aeiou, Apr 21 2015, 12:07 PM.
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aeiou
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or get a new clutch cable?
Edited by aeiou, Apr 21 2015, 12:04 PM.
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aeiou
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starting to think i have a short somewhere. i jumpered the clutch safety switch and it started. turned it off and tried again and it wouldn't start. really intermittent. gonna get a buddy with a voltmeter over here in the next day or two so we can try to trace the issue. will recheck grounds. why is this not an ignition switch issue?

any other suggestions?
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Metromightymouse
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Is it clicking when it doesn't start or is it not doing anything? If it clicks read the starter theory in my signature. If it doesn't do anything you can still use the test to confirm it isn't a starter issue (I believe you essentially have at this point). To try to check if it is an ignition switch issue, if nothing happens when the switch is turned you can keep it turned and work it around a little and see if it makes contact and cranks the starter.
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