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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Eau Claire, WI
Posts: 136
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Sounds like a similar issue as what I'm going through. Do you hear a "whir" of the starter motor spinning without engaging the engine? Have you tried replacing the DME relay?

I've been fighting my issue for a couple of years. I have another sports car so I haven't been laser focused to get this fixed. Plus, it always runs when pushed so other than a little embarrassment it is more of an inconvenience than anything. Shortly after it started happening I had a repair shop I've had good luck with in the past (but that is a 1.5 hour drive away) look at it. They cleaned the ignition switch and it seemed to start better. It had been intermittent, so that could have just been a placebo effect as it started happening again shortly after. A local repair shop replaced the starter which made it seem to happen less often, but still an issue, so I replaced the electronic portion of the ignition switch. Again, seemed better short term before not working. I replaced the DME relay and it worked perfect for about 20 drives, then started acting up. Somewhere in there I cleaned all the grounds I could find. It has been getting worse with time, finally getting to the point where it typically doesn't start. Over this winter it hasn't been starting at all. I replaced the battery and transmission ground straps (no change) and battery (no change). I was going to install an ignition bypass switch I'd purchased because I was sick of dealing with it and getting less and less concerned about the potential theft risk. While looking for that I saw an extra DME relay and thought I'd give that a try. Fired right up. The car is still on jack stands for brake/bearing replacement so I haven't driven it, but I've attempted to start it at least a dozen times and it is still working. From what I've read the relay's can be unreliable so I'm thinking my first replacement may have failed quickly. I will still be parking at the top of inclines facing down out of caution for the foreseeable future, though! Also, going to follow this thread for additional steps to take should it come back.

And, yes, I realize I should have been testing the voltage throughout. That is another reason I purchased the bypass switch, so I could engage the starter remotely for testing since I tend to work on it at odd hours when no one else is available to help.
Old 03-23-2020, 08:00 AM
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