So this is my first post on this site.

I was refered here from AWDpirates.net.

I was told I could get some help here too.

 

So I just did a full gasket rebuilt on my motor. Top and Bottom. Now she wont start. All it does is click. One time it tried to turn over then I tried it again and..Nothing.

I have checked my ground and everything I can think of.

I have a new battery in the car.

It could be the starter, but im just checkin again before i go spend $100 on a new starter.

Any ideas?

Hi scoobyleg1 and

 

Is this an auto trans or manual trans?

 

First thing I would try is using say a 20 amp fused jumper wire from the battery + terminal to the starter solenoid and see if it cranks then. If it cranks then the problem is somewhere upstream. If it does not crank then the starter itself may be having an issue. Is the large ground cable from teh battery that connects to one of the starter bolts reconnected? Battery cables nice and clean and tight after the new battery install? Battery passes load test?

 

Its an Auto.

Maybe try starting it with the selector in 'neutral' then. Also maybe try tapping the starter lightly with a hammer and see if that makes a difference. Sometimes when the contacts just start going bad it intermittently won't start and the hammer tap sometimes will get it going.

 

Ive already tried that.

but here is something weird..

I turned the crank by hand and then went to try and start it and it tried to turn over then I tried again.without turnin the the crank and it wouldnt turn over.

so Im lost

Does your starter make any sound (like a click)? If it's not engaging (esp. if it's clicking), then your starter solenoid might be toast (new starter needed). Try hitting the starter w/ something while cranking; that will jump the solenoid and turn the starter motor if that's the problem.

 

Good luck

Next thing I'd try (if you didn't already) is the fused jumper wire from battery + to the starter solenoid and see what happens.

all she does is click..Ive tried tapping while tryin to start her and nothing.

and I already tried the jumper wire from the battery to the starter. nothing

Ah ok...could be the starter contacts then, or a bad + bat or ground connection.

 

The contacts are only a couple dollars, might be able to get them at napa or someplace. There is a good thread on here somewhere with pics of the starter taken apart and the pitted contacts. Didn't look too hard to do.

Ill go try.

She still wont start.

I try to start it..I hear the fuel pump come on and the I hear 2 clicks.

idk?

Hm...okay, well if you tried the jumper wire to the starter solenoid and already tried starter contacts, then it pretty much has to be one or more of the following: (a) new battery is faulty, ( starter + batt bad connection, © starter ground connection bad, (d) some other internal fault in starter i.e. try different starter.

Hm...okay, well if you tried the jumper wire to the starter solenoid and already tried starter contacts, then it pretty much has to be one or more of the following: (a) new battery is faulty, ( starter + batt bad connection, © starter ground connection bad, (d) some other internal fault in starter i.e. try different starter.

 

 

Guess I have to get a new starter.

I took the new batt. back and got another one. Same thing.

 

when I touch the wire on the starter that goes to the batt. and the lil tab that sticks up on the starter, I touch then with screw driver and it tries to turn over..but when I try and start it from inside the car I get nothing.

Ignition switch?

Hi ok. When you say "when I touch the wire on the starter that goes to the batt. and the lil tab that sticks up on the starter, I touch then with screw driver and it tries to turn over.."

 

Do you mean with the above method the engine is cranking, just not starting?

yes.. cranks..but doesnt start...

Ok, now we might be getting somewhere.

 

If it cranks like normal with the jumper method, but just isn't starting, then the starter is fine.

 

If when you have the solenoid wire/connector hooked up to the starter, and you get no crank when putting the key to 'start', then it's something upstream of the starter, such as ignition switch or neutral safety switch or maybe even a fuse of some sort.

 

If you try the jumper method, with the key in run, I think it should start.

This is a schematic for a '94 Legacy; yours should be at least similar.

 

This is a schematic for a '94 Legacy; yours should be at least similar.

 

 

 

That pic is way beyond my knowledge..lol

Ok, now we might be getting somewhere.

 

If it cranks like normal with the jumper method, but just isn't starting, then the starter is fine.

 

If when you have the solenoid wire/connector hooked up to the starter, and you get no crank when putting the key to 'start', then it's something upstream of the starter, such as ignition switch or neutral safety switch or maybe even a fuse of some sort.

 

If you try the jumper method, with the key in run, I think it should start.

 

I checked all the fuses and the are all good.

Where is the neutral safty switch located at?

I think the switch is near the shifter above the transmission.

That pic is way beyond my knowledge..lol

 

Well - all the help that can be given.... has been given. This is a pretty simple problem and you are going to need to step outside your box and LEARN something now. Thowing up your hands isn't going to help, or engender faith from board members that further explanations will not fall on deaf ears. That's a really, really plain and simple daigram with everything labeled. Study it for an hour and I'm sure something will sink in.

 

If it doesn't.... buy a new car with a warrantee because I've got some news for you: You can't wrench.

 

GD

I think the switch is near the shifter above the transmission.

 

All the ones I've seen are part of the shifter mechanism. Usually interlaced with the rest of the wiring and part of a larger plug consisting of the wires for the dash indicators and so forth.

 

GD

Well - all the help that can be given.... has been given. This is a pretty simple problem and you are going to need to step outside your box and LEARN something now. Thowing up your hands isn't going to help, or engender faith from board members that further explanations will not fall on deaf ears. That's a really, really plain and simple daigram with everything labeled. Study it for an hour and I'm sure something will sink in.

 

If it doesn't.... buy a new car with a warrantee because I've got some news for you: You can't wrench.

 

GD

 

I have been learning..Im 19 yrs old..I just did a full gasket rebuild by myself cause I never had a Father figure in my life to teach me anything about cars.

My first time ever pullin a motor out of a car. First time ever rebuilding a motor. ************ sorry for not being up on the learning curve just yet..thats why I asked for help..and I sure didnt want some ***************rump roast runnin his mouth:mad: .

All the ones I've seen are part of the shifter mechanism. Usually interlaced with the rest of the wiring and part of a larger plug consisting of the wires for the dash indicators and so forth.

 

GD

 

Thank you.

I have been learning..Im 19 yrs old..I just did a full gasket rebuild by myself cause I never had a Father figure in my life to teach me anything about cars.

My first time ever pullin a motor out of a car. First time ever rebuilding a motor. ************ sorry for not being up on the learning curve just yet..thats why I asked for help..and I sure didnt want some ***************rump roast runnin his mouth:mad: .

 

Good luck with the starter on your Legacy. Please let us know how it goes with it. -sq93