May 4, 201510 yr I jumped the battery to the small spade on starter, it starts right up. So its the starter relay which we cannot find? or the starter switch? Thanks for the help..
May 4, 201510 yr Fairly sure there is no starter relay. The older models didn't use one. Anyways, get a 4-pole relay. Use the wire currently connected to that small spade on the solenoid to "trigger" the relay. Run a fairly large wire from the battery, through the relay, and then to that small spade. Your problem I believe is the starter solenoid isn't getting enough current to energize probably due to increased resistance in the circuit. I've used this modification many times on older models and solved the no0start problem every time.
May 4, 201510 yr used starters from a yard are easy to come by. Doesn't sound like there is much life left in your starter.
May 4, 201510 yr could be bad battery cables/wiring on that age car - even if it's the second set. or ignition switch issue?
May 6, 201510 yr Author Its a new battery, Optima and a new starter. Just put a new ignition switch in with no change. Really appreciate the help.. When I put a test light on that wire to the small spade while key turned to crank, it did not light up.
May 6, 201510 yr Is this a manual transmission? If so, it could be the clutch-pedal-switch that is faulty. Try jumpering the switch.
May 6, 201510 yr Like the previous posters stated, there is a safety switch between the ignition switch and the starter solenoid. What kind of switch depends on which transmission you have. Bad switch contacts are pretty common. You may be able to just clean the switch contacts to get it working again. If you have an AT then you may be able to simply adjust the safety switch to get it working again.
May 7, 201510 yr Author Its an auto, I tried putting the gearshift in N a few times with no luck. Could that still be an issue? We are down to the key cylinder or ignition relay?
May 7, 201510 yr Its an auto, I tried putting the gearshift in N a few times with no luck. Could that still be an issue? We are down to the key cylinder or ignition relay? If the Neutral safety switch is out it isn't going to correctly register neutral or park for the car to start. Someone should know the test procedure. You can also look around and find the Factory Service Manual.
May 7, 201510 yr The trouble is most likely the with the inhibit or safety switch as it is also called and is a common issue with older cars. It may be mounted on top of the transmission. You could bypass it to see if that corrects the problem.
May 9, 201510 yr Author Ok so Ill look for that switch. Assuming I can get to it from under the car without pulling the trans? Must be by the shift lever?
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