Car suddenly won't start after stopping for gas...

[summers3d]

While driving from LA to Sacramento, I stopped to fill 'er up. When I got back in to start it up, there was nothing. The heater fan came on, the dash lights lit up, but there was nothing when I turned the key. I had probably stopped once before since leaving LA and everything was fine. Some nice people helped me by pushing while I popped the clutch and it started right up. I drove the rest of the way and parked in my garage. I tried to start it again and there was nothing. Did my battery suddenly go bad? I got a new alternator about 4,000 miles ago. Should I just replace my battery? If so, what do you recommend.
Thanks,
-David

[slodave]

Replace/check DME relay first.

Dave

[ZOA NOM]

+1

[summers3d]

What do I look for when I check it? Also, is it under the very front of the drivers seat?
Thanks,
-David

[slodave]

It is under the drivers seat, with a tab bolted to the floor. Once out, you can carefully open the bottom(where the pins are) and pull it apart. Check all of the solder joints. They have a habit of cracking over time.

Dave

[john walker's workshop]

hot starter? does it start after an hour or so?

[88911coupe]

Been going through this crap myself...as I understand it if the DME relay is bad the car will turn over but never fire up. It sounds like you are having the same problem as me...all electrics work, battery tests fine but NOTHING when the key is turned. I thought I'd fixed mine when I found the yellow wire to the solenoid was loose but I reconnected and it worked perfectly for about 3 weeks then the problem returned although my battery was acting a little sluggish with the sharply colder weather, however I could not even jump start the battery so I had it towed to a mechanic. Maybe a dme expert can tell us if a bad DME relay would in fact stop a car from turning over.
Good luck and I sympathize with you.

[summers3d]

It doesn't start, hot or cold. I can hear a little bit of noise when the key is in the on position (fans are all off), and everything electrical seems to be working fine. I'll check the DME tomorrow and report back.
Thanks,
-David

[Joeaksa]

How about doing it right from the beginning? Dme relay should not stop it from turning over but will stop it from starting if its turning over. If it starts when the car is push started, then you have basic power to the car (fuel pump, injection and ignition is working or it would not have started when pushed) and something else is the culprit.

First check the battery and connections. Should be clean and tight. Then turn the headlights on and see if they are nice and bright. If they are not then you are not getting full power to the car.

If you have a volt ohm meter (VOM) then check the power at the battery with everything off, then with the ignition switch on, and then when you put the key in the "start" position. Get back to us with the readings. If you do not have one, you can get a cheapie one for $20 or so, and make sure its digital. Very good to have in the toolkit.

If everything is good so far then go back and check the 14 pin connector in the left back side of the engine compartment. I believe that the starter solenoid trigger wire goes through this? (someone correct me if this is not right)

If its ok then go to the starter itself and make sure that the solenoid wire has not fallen off.

As John said, starter could be getting hot and not working. How many miles on the car? If a lot then the starter could have seen better days.

After checking all of that you should have some more answers to what is going on. Next time instead of saying "it does not start" it might be better to say "it does not turn over" or "it turns over and does not fire" and so on. Gives a lot more information and helps us help you.

[T77911S]

nice job joe, can i add that if u do have a mulitmeter, connect it to the battery and have someone else start it. if the volts drop very low (9 maybe 10v or less) its the batt. u can also take to advance and they will check the batt for free.
also check all grounds, body to tranny.
solenoid may be bad.
i understood that he meant it would not turn over.

[wolf]

had this problem; turned out to be a worn out contact-lock. (you know, where you put your key in)

[88911coupe]

Wolf, in your case did the other electrics, i.e. radio etc work fine? This may be something for me to check. My mechanic just called to say he's 99% sure my patch job on the yellow starter wire to the solenoid is the problem. He reconnected it and it's starting fine now. I don't trust the motronic cars anymore though as far as this starting problem.

[Gunter]

David:
Brings back memories: Stopped for gas, Starter would not engage.
Turned out to be a jammed solenoid due to heat.
Like JW says: Hot starter.
Joeaksa points out what to check in your case, especially the solenoid connections.
Let us know what you find.

[summers3d]

Thanks for the help. I check it out when I get a chance and let you know. Anything else I should look for while I'm digging around?
-David

[VFR750]

EXACT thing happened to me. Four times in three days.

Bad starter. It had a dead spot or two. Replaced and never had problem again.

I was on a long trip. First stop for gas. Car wouldn't start. Had it towed to a garage I knew in MD. Of course it started right up. Two days later, stop off at a freinds house (still in MD) and it wouldn't start.

Cool: You can bump start rolling backwards while popping the clutch (Tranny in reverse, duh)

Did the same reverse bump start in NJ

Fourth and Last time, same trip, car would not start on side of RT 287 in White Plains NY.

All four instances were seperated by many times where it did start just fine.

I believe there was a dead communtator on the starter motor. If it came to a rest, with the brush sitting on the dead section, it was never going to start.

Replaced the starter and have never had the problem again.

[jester911]

My starter gave up after an hour run on the track. Cooled for about 1 1/2 hours and it started up fine.

I just replaced it recently and all is good.

[VFR750]

Jerry,

I've heard that too. Either way, toss the starter!

[T77911S]

if u think it is the starter, pull the solenoid off and take it apart, put some grease on the plunger that slides in and out. u can also rotate the contacts(and clean) inside and get new life out of it.

[Gunter]

Originally posted by VFR750
EXACT thing happened to me. Four times in three days.

Bad starter. It had a dead spot or two. Replaced and never had problem again.


Cool: You can bump start rolling backwards while popping the clutch (Tranny in reverse, duh)

Did the same reverse bump start in NJ

Very bad for the transmission!
DO NOT use reverse for bump start, it's the lowest ratio in the box and puts too much stress on it!

If you have to, use the 4th gear to bump start.

[defcon65]

Has happened to me several times, I'm with John Walker's 'hot starter' theory. This seems to be a common problem and thread on the BBS.

Regards,