I had a mechanic replace the motor mounts on my 91 max on Sunday because he said the engine was at an angle and the pan was resting on the axle - I had originally taken it down to him for a weird noise near the idle pully and the AC compressor. While I was leaving a weird sound eminated from one of the fans - bearings seem to be shot on one of them.

We stopped for gas and noticed a faint burning smell - plastic or rubber.
I decided I would look into it later since it was 9pm on a Sunday.
This morning we went to start the Max and got silence when we turned the key. The power windows and all the lights work just no response from the starter or the engine. I heard something that I assume was the fule pump but that was it. This is the first time it has done this in the 5 years I have owned it and it happened the day after I got it back from the mechanic. I'm not accusing him of anything but I think it's got to be related to moving the engine back into it's proper place.

I called the mechanic and he said that he never got anywhere near the starter and that it must be something simple, like a fuse. I had to get to work so I took the bus and was wondering if there was something I could check before I take the starter in for a test?

I noticed the ground connection for the battery seems kinda loose around the battery terminal. Yesterday was the first time this year it got up to 98 degrees so I thought maybe the battery is shot. I tried jumping it but I got no response from the Max. Any ideas or suggestions greatly appreciated!

James

 

I'd bet when he did the motor mounts that he crimped the cable and shorted out a fusible link

 

Well I got home early to work on the Max so i went out there with a hammer and my wrenches to check out the starter. I decided to try the engine once for ****s and giggles but before i did I messed with that little orange shift lock switch at the base of the gear selector. Does that do anything important? Anyway it started right up and has started the 10 x's since.
????? I went ahead and bought a ground cable for the battery and am considering buying a positive cable from the dealer since it looks pretty involved, unlike the simple one I found at the Autozoo.

Any ideas why it woould just start after sitting all day? What does that orange switch do anyway?
Thanks in advance!

James

 

hmm... maybe NSS then

 

In any case, swap dash fuseblock fuse 7, at right.

Some start issues [for VGE] are found here:
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/748507/5

 

Internetautomar what is NSS?

Thanks for the link Wiking! I will use it to trouble shoot the Max this weekend - as long as it doesn't act up before then.

James

 

NSS = Neutral Safety Switch

edit: itcould also be a shifter bushing going bad, VERY common problem on A/T maxs

 

So if the NSS is switched it might think it's in neutral and won't start?

 

NSS is to allow the car to start when it is in park or neutral only