Well, after surviving a 900 mile trip driving down behind a severly loaded down Previa MiniVan and moving trailer from Maryland to Florida, and after having a brand new red-top Optima battery, steering rack, etc. installed - my '89 Max just decides to not start lastnight. It was driving fine, starting up and turning off without a problem. Then when I parked it and came out an hour later, the lights turn on, the key turns... but there is no starting sound. Not a peep! It's almost as if a security kill switch has been thrown. I tried the regular factory master key, re-locking and opening the door using the touch-pad which usually turns off the security system without a problem. I even unhooked the battery for a few minutes and re-connected it - all without any change. I don't know what the problem is. I even changed the ignition wire coming from the coil to the distributor but that didn't do it. I think it must be something related to the security system, ignition system, or starter. There may be some grounding issue, because my clock and auto climate control displays often dim out, but I thought that was a problem with the displays. Can someone give me some pointers? I really need it to be running asap! Thanks.

-Mrkanda

 

Might be a bad starter...Try tapping it with hammer[not too hard] then try to start it....

 

If it is a bad starter wouldn't there be a clicking noise as the solinoid tride to initiate the starter? There is no noise at all currently. Maybe it's a bad solinoid? And if I hit it with a hammer, what would that do? BTW, how easy is it to replace a starter? Thanks.

-Mrkanda

 

The tapping a starter is a very old trick to get a bad starter to start the car until you can get it fixed....

Be sure to check the wiring that goes to the starter for obvious problems..

 

I got owned by the Eng. Cont. fuse a couple times. Take it out and put in on a light for continuity. I didn't have a meter with me when I got stranded twice. THe fuse loked good but it had a hair split.

You know it's that fuse when EVRYTHING works, except turn over. Starters don't usaully JUST go bad. They usauly sound like crap them die out.

Make sure to check all related fuses, relays, and fuseible links befoe changing parts.... I spent about 500 in changing the distributer, cap, rotor,battery,alty, wires, plugs all because of that fuse.

 

Hmmm.... Good to know! Good thing I got most of those things already (new cap, rotor, wires, plugs) so if it's not the fuse then I can try those. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try the tapping first and then go from there.

-Mrkanda

 

Don't Tap Too Hard!

 

Ignition switch cylnder
aka lock cylender switch, replace the entire mecanism you put the key in to start it with.
the starter peice on the back included
just had the same problem with my other car

 

Do you hear your fuel pump turn on??
Is the gear selector fully in park?? shift it to drive, then to park again, to make sure it is fully engaged in park..

 

Tapping helps on used sticking solenoids, hanging starter brushes. If those not sticking, no hlp.

The inhibit relay under water reservoir either clicks, or doesnt: no ctrl or it is dead.
No ctrl:
- A/T gear selector sw
- M/T clutch sw.
- alarm

If relay dead, bypass it with bare wire, or swap. Give starter solenoid direct +12V and keep drivin...

Starter circ, see http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/748507/5
...and also there the Favorite Links.

 

I had almost the exact same thing happen to me, except i was hung over on new years and it was -30. All i had to do was run the shifter through all the gears and it started right up....the next day. Your gear selector is probably just a little off and the computer thinks its in reverse therefore won't start. Happened to me a couple times since.

 

Hmmm.... So many interesting possibilities and troubleshooting tips. I'm sure they might all come in handy some day, but I happened to get lucky this morning. I simply jiggled the power line that was coming off the positive battery post to the solinoid on the starter and the car started right up! It seems that the rubber boot covering that connection is getting old and was somewhat open, thus leaving room for my former oil leak and other dirt to get in there and gunk up the connection. I will have to clean it up soon and maybe get a new ground kit from Matt Blehm. Thanks for all the advice guys. It really helped.

-Mrkanda