HELP cannot start the car! Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

Things I checked:
-All relevant fuses look ok
-All electrical components work ok and no dimming -battery is 3 months old
-When key is turned to ACC, I hear fuel pump prime
-When key is turned to IGN, all electrical components briefly dim (not sure if this is normal) "it does not crank, just slience."-EDIT
-No CEL

Ride: 1998 I30, auto, 136K all original stock in terms of electrical and engine components (except spark plugs and battery).

I suspect it is either the starter or ignition but not sure which. Any pointers on how I can isolate the culprit? I do see some post that lead to ignition but not sure. Once I get this sucker down, I'm sure the org would have a how-to. I have had a few random instances of rough starting the last month or so but shrugged it off. I've also experience some slight hesitation, which I contributed to potentially failing coil pack but went away somewhat after I replace old spark plugs.

 

does it crank?

 

It does not crank.

 

Check Your crank positioning sensor, ECCS, all your relays and fuses.

 

Wouldn't a faulty CPS throw a CEL?
Not sure where the ECCS is located, any pointers?
Already checked all 'relevant' fuses. Do you have something in mind that I may have overlooked?

 

Starter is probably bad. Give it a few whacks and then try turning it over. If it turns over then even just a little bit you'll know it's bad.

 

i was just gonna suggest that

 

+1, whack the starter a few times and see what happens

 

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ier=476887_0_0_

get one and hook it up directly to the starter and + terminal then see if the car cranks, if not, its the starter.

 

wow ...wack it, lmao....how about you have someone help you with a voltmeter check the starter solenoid wire when you turn the ign switch , if no signal, then id trace it back to the switch, if you do get voltage but the starter doesnt do anything then maybe its the starter

 

or take the starter out and get it tested at autozone. i know this is a lame question but is the car allll the way in park??? did you have a starting problem before?

 

+2 on wack it... not wack but hit with an hammer or something, not to hard tho.
Might have to take off some parts for good hitting access like the MAF and big tube from it, It's what I did. then hit the starter gently while some1 turning the key, if u hear it trying to crank or even start the car, then your starter is gone

 

funny thing with the being all the way in park thing, mine wouldnt start 1/3 of the time for the last year and a bit and i would have to rock the car back and forth and something would click and it would start. one day the click wouldnt go and i had to get it towed, they gave me a new starter and it did it again a few days later. tried another starter 2 more times, still did it.

it was the shifter bushing, tried starting it in neutral and it went. i thought it was the shifter bushing but one garage said it was fine.

but yeah, ask any old school mechanic, to test the starter give it a couple of light whacks. OP, use the override to get it into neutral and try starting it (BUT MAKE SURE THE HANDBRAKE IS UP LOL)

 

To test the starter you can also use a jumper wire from the solenoid to batt +. This will also help to diagnose the ign switch by process of elimination.

 

+1

Mine did the exact same as you OP, To the T.

If i would have just gave it a few taps with a hammer I would have saved myself a lot of grief, and a tow bill.

This is the simplest, free test. Do it first!

 

Starter!

You guys are right on the money! Took 2.5 hrs but the hard part was getting these 12yr old connectors loose to get some working space. Spent 20 mins trying to get one of connector base loose so I can reuse it but it ultimately snapped to bits -zip ties are my friend.

Thanks again.

 

i just had the exact same problem, and my starter it was...works great now

 

I had a similar issue, turn the key all the way and silence. Took the starter apart and replaced the brushes which were almost worn down to nothing for $30. So far so good.