Sometimes my max (92 SE) just won't start when I turn the key. It doesn't turn over, just does nothing, makes no sound. It's not the battery --all the lights are bright. I've discovered that by sticking a pair of needlenose pliers into the engine and touching a couple bolts on the starter, it'll make some sparks and the starter will whirr, and after that it will start right up. The thing is, it first happened a year ago and after "hotwiring" it with the pliers once, it didn't have that problem again, until this week. Now I have to do that every day. (but not every time I start it, sometimes it will start on its own) Anybody know what's up with this? Am I screwing up my car? Is some kind of connection dirty or something? thanks for any replies.

peace

 

I think it has a mind of its own.

 

put it in nuetral and try to start it. it should start, if not put it back in park and try that....it will most likely start. i had to do this in my max a couple of years ago, and i dont know why. i went thru a starter and a battery and an alternator thinking those were the problems. but after replacing them i realized it wasnt. just some kinda fluke deal that hasnt happened in a long time. the nuetral thing should be way less embarrasing than using the pliers.

 

Your gear selector my be out of alignment -- shifter is not connecting as neutral or park. Possible the $2 bushing that connects the shifter to the tranny is worn or a bad switch. The bushing should be replaced every time the tranny is removed or worked on, but the service people don't do it because that will cut them out of an extra service charge. Other maybe are; bad starting relay, bad starter, loss wire on starter or relay.

 

is replacing the bushing a DIY?

 

5-sp or auto? IF auto then it could be the problem the other gentleman mentioned. If 5-sp, check under the clutch pedal. There is a switch that must be pressed to allow the starter to turn over. Maybe it's old/worn/loose etc..

You could also try disconnecting the "postive" wire that attaches to the starter and clean it. In fact, clean all the wires that are connected to the starter. There is one that connects the starter motor to the solenoid that could be dirty.

At least try these before doing something that actually costs money(ie.. trying a new starter etc...)

 

Also if your mechanics tell you your shifter bushings are good you might want to have your inhibitor switch cleaned out (or replaced). I was having the same problem. You might want to try pushing the gear shift when its in Park a little harding making sure it's in park. After I had my tranny replaced i was having problems starting my car. It was doing the same thing. Not turing over at all. Between my regular mechanic & tranny mechanic they figured it was my inhibitor switch. all my tranny guy had to do was take it out & clean it & i havent had any problems since.

 

i needed to eventually replace the selonoid on the starter, try this. Take a long flat head screw driver or crow bar and place it on the starter houseing( make sure your on the cast iron part so you dont damage your starter and stay away from the bolt) take a hammer and tap it gently once, then try to start it, if nothing repeat more time and harder and you should get a start. what it sounds like is the selonoid is freezing up also the wire mounting bolts on the starter could have a bad connection or be cracked so check the posts, also if you take it out and bring it to auto zone they can bench test it, also be careful of your air flow meter, and harness connector, if you bend that small metel clip, it might not sit in place just right causeing a check engine light, good luck p.s. i got another 10 months out of it driving aroung with my screw driver and hammer and if you need a starter i can get you one for 123$ with a lifetime warranty, holla