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Help! My car won't start!; After changing engine compartment harness, won't fire
Topic Started: Sep 17 2015, 05:50 PM (1,716 Views)
danielnv
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I have been having problems with my car not starting. I bought it about a year ago and have had numerous problems with the wiring harness, so I bought a used one on eBay. Before, my car would always start if I charged to 100%, but then wouldn't start much of the time, and when I would hook up my charger, it would say the battery was at 95% usually.

I changed the temperature sensor, alternator, wires to the distributor, other wires that had been spliced together, fuel pump and filter, and oxygen sensor. I decided to changed the wiring harness again, due to continued not wanting to start, but I was always able to pop the clutch.

But now, I turn the key, and get the beeps, and hear the fuel pump, but no sound of the car actually trying to start at all. I am new to working on my cars, so there might be something obvious here I need to do or check for--any help is much appreciated!
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

When it won't start do you mean the engine won't crank over or the engine cranks but does not fire?
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91 ragtop
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Did you hook up the wire to the small blade on the starter solenoid ?


Ken.........
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idmetro
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connect the grounds on the back of the intake manifold?
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danielnv
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It won't try to crank at all, as far as I can tell.

I did attach the wire to the starter solenoid, and checked it again to make sure it was on good.

And I did attach the grounds on the back of the intake manifold, if that's what connects the engine to the air breather.

I haven't attempted to pop the clutch yet.
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Metromightymouse
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Powdercoat Wizard

Use the testing listed in the starter 101 link in my signature to narrow down where your issue lies.
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danielnv
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Thanks, Metromightymouse! When I ran a temp wire from the starter blade and touched the battery terminal, it definitely made sounds like it would have started if I left it there long enough. I guess that's called cranking. My connection was a bit hairy so I didn't leave it in place long enough to find out.
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danielnv
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I'm guessing this means my "new" wiring harness has a bad wire between the computer and starter?
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

There is no computer connection to the starter. The starter has a small signal wire from the ignition and a larger wire direct to the battery. When you turn the key to the "Start" position, the small wire on the solenoid powers up and voltage transfers from the larger wire to the other side of the solenoid (other large bolt) to engage it and make it crank.

You can test this by..........

MAKE SURE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL

SET PARKING BRAKE

LOOK FOR SMALL STARTER WIRE ON SOLENOID

CHECK FOR 12V ON SMALL WIRE WITH KEY IN "START" POSITION AND CLUTCH DEPRESSED

Test this and post back.

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danielnv
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Johnny Mullet
Sep 18 2015, 07:07 PM
There is no computer connection to the starter. The starter has a small signal wire from the ignition and a larger wire direct to the battery. When you turn the key to the "Start" position, the small wire on the solenoid powers up and voltage transfers from the larger wire to the other side of the solenoid (other large bolt) to engage it and make it crank.

You can test this by..........

MAKE SURE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL

SET PARKING BRAKE

LOOK FOR SMALL STARTER WIRE ON SOLENOID

CHECK FOR 12V ON SMALL WIRE WITH KEY IN "START" POSITION AND CLUTCH DEPRESSED

Test this and post back.

I get 14.7 mv with the red probe in the spade connector and the black probe on the ground terminal of battery, when I turn the key to try and start. It stays the same even when I let off the clutch. With key turned off it goes to 0.
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danielnv
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Well, I have run a proper wire with spade terminal connected to the blade on the starter, and held it on the battery. The engine cranks, but that's it--I guess I'm not getting a spark either.
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freegeo
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danielnv
Sep 17 2015, 05:50 PM
I have been having problems with my car not starting. I bought it about a year ago and have had numerous problems with the wiring harness, so I bought a used one on eBay. Before, my car would always start if I charged to 100%, but then wouldn't start much of the time, and when I would hook up my charger, it would say the battery was at 95% usually.

I changed the temperature sensor, alternator, wires to the distributor, other wires that had been spliced together, fuel pump and filter, and oxygen sensor. I decided to changed the wiring harness again, due to continued not wanting to start, but I was always able to pop the clutch.

But now, I turn the key, and get the beeps, and hear the fuel pump, but no sound of the car actually trying to start at all. I am new to working on my cars, so there might be something obvious here I need to do or check for--any help is much appreciated!
What year of wiring harness did you put in to your 96? Do you have a FSM to look up the wiring diagrams ?
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ptcapboy


danielnv
Sep 18 2015, 08:36 PM
Well, I have run a proper wire with spade terminal connected to the blade on the starter, and held it on the battery. The engine cranks, but that's it--I guess I'm not getting a spark either.
did you have the key in the on position when you did this?
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danielnv
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freegeo
Sep 19 2015, 01:07 AM
danielnv
Sep 17 2015, 05:50 PM
I have been having problems with my car not starting. I bought it about a year ago and have had numerous problems with the wiring harness, so I bought a used one on eBay. Before, my car would always start if I charged to 100%, but then wouldn't start much of the time, and when I would hook up my charger, it would say the battery was at 95% usually.

I changed the temperature sensor, alternator, wires to the distributor, other wires that had been spliced together, fuel pump and filter, and oxygen sensor. I decided to changed the wiring harness again, due to continued not wanting to start, but I was always able to pop the clutch.

But now, I turn the key, and get the beeps, and hear the fuel pump, but no sound of the car actually trying to start at all. I am new to working on my cars, so there might be something obvious here I need to do or check for--any help is much appreciated!
What year of wiring harness did you put in to your 96? Do you have a FSM to look up the wiring diagrams ?
It said it was for a 96 or 97. I think I need to email the seller to get more info.
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danielnv
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I have more info on the wire harness. It is out of a 96 with 1.3 engine like mine, automatic, and only 89k miles. Seller is saying to check my grounds into the engine, so I guess that would be the two near the starter. Will check after work.
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