'95 SE won't start! Electrical gremlins..
04-29-2013, 10:24 PM
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 3
'95 SE won't start! Electrical gremlins..
So, a background on this car; new battery and starter, replaced inhibitor/clutch interlock relay and ignition switch.
When I turn the key any way (after ON) in the ignition, a "chhh" electric sound can be heard, followed by a click from the clutch interlock relay - which means it's getting power. If I attempt to start the car it's obvious something is wrong as I hear a snap as the circuit blows. Sometimes, this results in sparks or smoke observed at the battery's positive terminal. I tested for 12V at the ignition switch and it's there, but I get no juice to the starter so clearly my problem lies in the wiring. I'm led to believe I have a + wire grounding out or a loose ground I can't find.. Checked all relays/fuses and grounds I could find.
Another possible symptom, I noticed now the clock dims when I power the headlights? Not sure if that could be related. Also, the no-start and sounds described above happened once a couple days prior; resolved by temporarily disconnecting the battery.. No longer a fix.
I've spent hours on this car, would appreciate some advice before towing 'er to the shop!
When I turn the key any way (after ON) in the ignition, a "chhh" electric sound can be heard, followed by a click from the clutch interlock relay - which means it's getting power. If I attempt to start the car it's obvious something is wrong as I hear a snap as the circuit blows. Sometimes, this results in sparks or smoke observed at the battery's positive terminal. I tested for 12V at the ignition switch and it's there, but I get no juice to the starter so clearly my problem lies in the wiring. I'm led to believe I have a + wire grounding out or a loose ground I can't find.. Checked all relays/fuses and grounds I could find.
Another possible symptom, I noticed now the clock dims when I power the headlights? Not sure if that could be related. Also, the no-start and sounds described above happened once a couple days prior; resolved by temporarily disconnecting the battery.. No longer a fix.
I've spent hours on this car, would appreciate some advice before towing 'er to the shop!
04-29-2013, 10:48 PM
#2
So have you cleaned terminals and ground points? Maybe replace them? Being that you could disconnect the battery and it would work, maybe you moved the wire a certain way and it helped it. And since it works fine until you try to start it, its definitely ignition system. when the stuff was replace, was it done properly? If a mech did it, I would go back and check over his/her work.
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04-30-2013, 06:26 AM
#3
The clock should dim with the headlights on, that's how it's designed.
Have you pulled, cleaned, and tightened the positive battery terminal? The only reason you'll be getting smoke and sparks from between the terminal and the post is a loose or poor connection.
When you say you have no 'juice' at the starter, are you referring to the starter battery feed (which is live all the time), or no power at the signal wire (which is triggered by the ignition switch)?
Have you pulled, cleaned, and tightened the positive battery terminal? The only reason you'll be getting smoke and sparks from between the terminal and the post is a loose or poor connection.
When you say you have no 'juice' at the starter, are you referring to the starter battery feed (which is live all the time), or no power at the signal wire (which is triggered by the ignition switch)?
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