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logan7221
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Apr 5, 2014, 5:18 PM
Post #1 of 8
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Starting problems
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The other day I was at work and tried to start my car and all I heard was a loud knocking sound but it started right up, its been doing this for a while btw. Anyway, this morning I went to start my car and all I got was the loud knocking sound coming from the starter. Usually the car will eventually start but this time it stopped working entirely. I turn the key and nothing happens other than the temp gauge shoots up and the alt gauge moves but it shows no power draw change on the alt gauge like it normally would when I turn the key to start the car.
My first thought was the starter had failed finally so I took it out and had it tested and the starter was fine. Knowing the starter was fine I put it back in and kind of screwed up. I ended up connecting the starter wrong I guess as I had no power throughout the car after reattaching the starter. I removed the cables and connected the 2 entwined cables that I thought went to the bottom of the solenoid to the top with thick black cable and managed to get power back to the rest of the vehicle.
Having solved that problem I called it a day and went home but I will be heading back out tomorrow in hopes of solving this issue and could use some input. Like I said the starter has been doing this for a while now and every once in a while I will turn the key and just hear 1 click then a buzz sound and I have to try again and other times I would get the knocking sound. When it did go out I was turning the key back and fourth repeatedly after I heard it making the knocking sound in hopes that it would help it start sooner but had no luck. Any ideas as to why turning the key would suddenly do nothing?
I looked around for the starter relay and replaced a relay under the drop down panel on the drivers side with a smaller relay I picked up from auto zone that was supposed to be for the starter. No the funny thing is it was so much smaller than the one that it had in it? Was the relay I changed out not the starter relay perhaps and if so where would the starter relay be located and could that be my problem?
I also checked the starter with it still attached and I can get it to spin but it doesn't seem to engage the flywheel. It just spins and the car doesn't crank, is this normal? What I do know is the starter is getting power from the battery so that rules out corroded wires from the battery to starter or fusible links.
My Vehicle: 92 Pontiac Firebird 3.1 V6
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logan7221
User
Apr 5, 2014, 6:34 PM
Post #3 of 8
(1351 views)
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Re: Starting problems
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Checked the flywheel and starter gear and there is no signs of wear. I crossed the cables with a screwdriver to even get it to spin but what o don't understand is why it doesn't do anything when o turn the key but will spin freely but not engage if I cross the two contacts on the solenoid. Going to check it again tomorrow and see turning the key should cause the starter to spin freely just as it did when I crossed it if that was the only problem?
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 5, 2014, 6:41 PM
Post #4 of 8
(1349 views)
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Re: Starting problems
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Do you have a 12 volt test light or volt meter? Have you checked the voltage at the starter solenoid trigger for 12 volts or a bright lamp when attempting to start the engine with the key? What is the voltage at the battery terminal on the starter when attempting to crank the engine.
Maybe you have more than one problem.
If you touch the trigger wire to the starter battery lug and the starter motor spins, but doesn't turn the engine, there is a problem with the starter motor itself. The gear may look good and the starter may turn on the tester, but did the person testing the starter check to see if the bendix was being thrown out or the overrunning clutch on the starter drive was good?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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logan7221
User
Apr 5, 2014, 6:52 PM
Post #5 of 8
(1345 views)
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Re: Starting problems
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Voltometer has no reading when I turn the key. The only way the starter will do anything is if I cross it with the screwdriver. The guy who tested the starter just connected it to a machine and said it was good after trying it a few times. I may take it back again tomorrow. Any idea where the starter relay is? I've looked around and everyone says its under the kick panel on the drivers side but I didn't see any relays. I do have a new starter I will throw in tomorrow if need be but not much point just yet if the starter is getting no power when the key is turned.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 5, 2014, 6:59 PM
Post #6 of 8
(1343 views)
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Re: Starting problems
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Does this have an aftermarket alarm or remote start system installed?
This does have passkey system that will disable the starter. Is the security light on when your attempting to crank the engine?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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logan7221
User
Apr 5, 2014, 7:10 PM
Post #7 of 8
(1338 views)
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Re: Starting problems
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It has the standard VATS system but no aftermarket one. The security light is only on for a second then goes away. What I was thinking is I killed the relay when I kept the key turned over for too long. It was just knocking(not clicking) and usually it will start to crank after awhile. Or perhaps the ignition switch when I kept moving the key back and fourth as that usually works too but this time after a few mins of doing it started doing nothing at all.
Normally I hear a click from under my dash when the key is turned but now I hear nothing. I'm really at a loss here and am going to try and make the best out of my time tomorrow. If I put the new starter in and cross the starter would it actually start the car if it cranked? I would love to get it home so I don't have to drive 67 miles to work on it.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 5, 2014, 7:19 PM
Post #8 of 8
(1335 views)
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Re: Starting problems
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Make sure that your battery connections are clean and tight. Also make sure your battery tests good. If you have chattering relays, that is usually a sign of a low voltage condition due to battery being discharged or poor battery connections.
The relay is located near the fuse block being the left side of the instrument panel.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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