Help!! 5K Wont Start

[jaygore]

Hi guys,

 

My 5k which is in a ke20 corolla was working, I parked it and then it wouldnt turn over anymore :(, I was able to push/clutch start it fine with ease.

 

I have removed the starter motor and checked it and replaced it, but it wasnt this, I have confirmed that their is power to the starter motor and while it was out I checked to make sure that it was actually running.

 

does anyone have any ideas? I'm in a bit of a pickle, All fuses seem to be fine as well, could it be my actual ignition switch?

[ke70dave]

could very well be your ignition switch.

 

on your starter there are 2 wires, 1 chunky wire direct from battery, and 1 little wire that is your solenoid wire or "trigger" wire for the start (comes via your key/ignition switch)

 

get a random peice of wire, and go from your battery straight to your trigger wire, it should turn the engine over.

 

if this is the case, follow the trigger wire around and look for faults. put a multi meter on the trigger wire and see if you get any volts when you try and start it. do you hear a clicking noise at all? if this is the case yo umay need an extra relay in your starter solenoid circuit.

[jaygore]

Oh k, well my battery has been relocated to the boot so this will make it just a tad bit harder but I might go have a look in a moment, really has gotten me puzzled as my car was going fine then all of a sudden it wont start

[jaygore]

Oh just re-read your post dave, I have checked the starter and I have voltage at the starter and the batter, I have made sure of this. So thats fine.. What else could it maybe be?

[ke70dave]

actually what you can do, since your battery is in the boot.

 

get your little peice of wire, and bridge the main wire on the starter AND the trigger wire on the starter. this should make your starter motor turn.

 

you say you have voltage at the starter, but which wire did you check? you can have voltage at the main power wire all day, but if the trigger wire (solenoid) is never given power your starter will never turn.

[jaygore]

Hmmm now that I think about it i checked the earth wire straigt from the battery, So you think maybe check the 'smaller' solenoid wire?

[ke70dave]

there is no "earth" wire. on the starter or from the battery.

 

the starter motor "earths" itself through your engine block when you bolt it in.

 

the other wire you would have checked (big one straight from battery) is the +12V direct from the battery, it is not switched, it is constant.

 

yes check the solenoid wire. this is what your key/switch controls.

 

not starting = 0 volts, starting = 12volts. (with reference to "ground")

[jaygore]

Ok so i know that the ground is fine, Once my dad gets home I will check the trigger wire and see if I am getting any power, I'm guessing thats the issue, but I will definatly know once I can check it

[andys-corolla]

my mate had the same prob with his pulser ended up being the battery needed charging. do you have a sub and amp and do you use the when the car not running?

[jaygore]

Yea I do, But I also have a brand new car battery as well :( so do you think it would still be that?

[andys-corolla]

Yea I do, But I also have a brand new car battery as well :( so do you think it would still be that?

could try it no harm in that and sorry if i couldn't

[jaygore]

Thanks a Million dave, you were right on the money!! we had to rewire right from the cabin and connect it up and it worked fine!!

[ke70dave]

good stuff mate! glad you got it working again.

 

its a good idea to wire in a relay to that wire, so it draws power straight from the battery rather than through the original connections.

 

over the years the connections throughout the car will get a bit dodgy and you can get some voltage drop through them, or even broken connections . which i suspect has happened in your car.

 

there is a thing in the FAQ about how to wire up said relay (i think...). i had your problem quite a number of years ago, wired in the relay and hasnt given any drama since.