Dead...no cranking at all!

[k9handler]

Well it's got me stumped...won't even crank with a jump, so what could it be?

No symptoms at all prior to this, the weather has been crapy and I have not had the car out of the garage in about 5 days...today I decided to back it out of the garage to wash the winter grime off and she would not start at all!

I pushed it out of the garage and hooked up the jumper cables, no help at all.

Fuses all look ok, only relay I see is the power windows and horn.

Battery is the same one that's been in the car since 2001 (850 CCA) and I think it may not have enough juice left in it to crank when cold...but wouldn't the jumper cables take care of that?

What else should I check? I guess it's time to go and purchase a volt meter.

[3.2 CAB]

Does it crank but not start, or does it not crank.. does nothing? If it does nothing when you turn the key, I would check battery ground to frame first, if is grounding, would then check ign. switch plug under dash, sometimes just jiggling will make "contact". Really need more input, as to what does or does not work when key turned to "on" "run" and "start" possitions.

[k9handler]

When I turn the key the inst lights work as normal, the fuel pump gives it's normal whirl and from there....nothing! It will not crank.

Stereo works, lights, wipers, etc. So the battery has some power.

Ideas?

[dickster]

sounds flat. not enough power from the jumpers. try leaving the jumpers on for 15 mins to get some charge in there - leave the jumper car on fast idle for more juice. that should do it.

good luck.

[Ned nyna 11]

HD
Check that the wires to the starter are connected. The big red wire from the battery, the wire to the solenoid.
If all connected, check the ground return by removing the braided strap from transmission to body and clean the connections. Same for the ground from the battery to body.
Next, check that 12 volts appear at the solenoid when you turn the ignition key. If 12volts appearwhen you turn the key, and nothing happens, the solenoid is faulty, if 12 volts are not getting to the solenoid, you are getting close. Next check that 12 volts appear at the starter solenoid wire in the quick disconnect plug on the driver side of the engine compartment.
If not check that 12 volts appear at the starter wire in the ignition switch when you turn the key.
If not check that 12 volts is always at the battery side of the switch. This will tell you if the switch has failed.
If the switch is working, the starter wire goes in a wire loom to a plug in the firewall from which it goes back to the multiwire connector in the engine compartment. That plug could be loose and thereby preventing the 12 volts from passing to the engine compartment.
This should get you ah, started. Let us know how it goes.

Ned

[k9handler]

hmmm...thanks for all the ideas, I will work on it over my christmas break...but today I am just going to relax and enjoy the holiday.

Merry Christmas to all!

[Leland Pate]

Start off with the simplist solution. Many a time, I have had problems with the terminal posts getting a slight coating of corrosion on them. Clean up both ends and make sure the clamps are tight.
If this bears no fruit... go with the very good suggestions posted above. Best of luck.

Also, am I the only one who thinks it suspicious... you just got the car wet and now no crankie crankie... hmmmm... what is the connection...

[sammyg2]

When you try to crank it do the interior lights dim dramatically or go out completely? That would indicate you don't have enough amps to turn it over.
If the lights don't dim big time, you have a problem with the starter or starter circuit. Could be anything from the solenoid to the igntion switch.

[Argeo]

Before you try the other stuff. Run the jumping cable from somewhere on the engine to the body and then try. I use the the negative connection on the ignition coil bolt on the fan shroud to a bolt sticking out of the frame under the oil fill. Just make sure that if you use the two correct colors red/red , black/black good, red/black bad. Also make sure that the jumping cable is clear of the fan. I would try this before jacking the car up.

Good luck.

[ckissick]

Ned has some good ideas. Same thing happened to me with my Westphalia. I removed, cleaned, and replaced the tranny ground strap, and it started right up.

Charlie
1970 911E

[RoninLB]

1st thing I would do is get a screwdriver to use as a jump from the large starter hot to the solenoid yellow wire terminal..

put key in "run" position 1st

be safe under there.. netural, good jack stand back-up to lift jack

[k9handler]

ok, here is the update.

I went out and gave the car a pull start (not like a honda mower) with my van and it started right up...gave her a drive around the area (nice mountain roads) and decided going down a small hill to try to shut it off and start it again...nothing, so I release the clutch with it in gear and vroom...do what gives? Starter? Once I got her back home and in the garage I shut it off again, and still will not start. Lights are strong, with no dim effect when I attempt to crank it.

What is the best way to test the starter and solenoid?

[beepbeep]

Dead solenoid or solenoid-energizing wire.

Or wait! This thing happened to me...it can be that pesky ignition switch...they usually fail. I finally wired a push-button starter.

[k9handler]

I feel much better!

I removed the battery and cleaned all the terminals and connections.

Went under the car and removed and cleaned all the connections to the starter and the gound cable.

After all this, she cranks like a champ...vroom vroom!

The problem...the small yellow wire connected to the solenoid was brittle at the connection, new connection and it's all better now.

Thanks for all the assistance...you guys are great.

[atlporsche]

I was going to suggest the yellow wire...

mine used to fall off...

scared the heck out of me the first time it did it.

sjd