engine wont crank, which could it be?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 188
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From: WV
engine wont crank, which could it be? when you turn the key the fuel pump primes and all the lights come on as normal, but won't crank at all. thought either starter solenoid, ignition switch, or clutch safety switch, found the clutch switch and took it apart, i guess it looked okay, no corrosion and the contacts didn't look too bad, its only 8 bucks at advance so i think i'll go ahead and get it and see, but when you turn the key you can hear a light click, and when you let go, it clecks again, that mean maybe something on the starter might've got loose? i hit a pretty good hole the other night
Sounds like you might have a broken wire to the VATS key reader. You can check it by dropping the steering column panel, checking the resistance at the small black 2 wire connector near the bottom of the column. With the key in the ignition check the ohm reading, should match the key resistance or if its OL open circuit the wires are broken to the key reader.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 188
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From: WV
the key just in the ignition or should it be turned to run, i'll go out there and look around, i gotta go to work at 4 though
and how do i know the resistance of the key, can't you tell by how many times the car dings when you turn the key to on?
and how do i know the resistance of the key, can't you tell by how many times the car dings when you turn the key to on?
No you gotta measure the resistance of the pellet in the key with an ohmmeter.
If the fuel pump is priming, it shouldn't be the security. Sounds like a bad ignition switch or starter. Try thumping the starter with a wrench a couple of times and see if that does anything.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 188
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From: WV
i already checked the relays and fuses, they all good, but the starter relay is not clicking i don't think, i hear one relay clicking but i think it's the fuel pump relay. no the security light is not on, but the one time it did like this when i left the tops off and it got rained in for a few minutes the security light was on. What i am thinking is that some water got in the column and might've just not shorted out something or corroded it. I am gonna test the starter and solenoid to make sure they are all good before i go to takin out the steering column to get to that damn switch
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: WV
sorry, wasnt the fuel pump relay, it was ignition relay beside the starter relay that i heard clickin. hopefully i can buy this 89 chevy 4x4 as a backup, i hate drivin my dad's tacoma XP
i am thinking it's the starter switch and not the ignition switch because the starter relay isn't clicking, but the ignition switch is, so if the starter switch isn't sending power to the relay, the relay isn't gonna click, but if it was sendin, it would click, i just don't wanna have to take out the steering column and all that jazz. man's gotta do whata man's gotta do though, can't be a bitch in this world
i am thinking it's the starter switch and not the ignition switch because the starter relay isn't clicking, but the ignition switch is, so if the starter switch isn't sending power to the relay, the relay isn't gonna click, but if it was sendin, it would click, i just don't wanna have to take out the steering column and all that jazz. man's gotta do whata man's gotta do though, can't be a bitch in this world
Last edited by firebirddude98; May 27, 2012 at 12:15 AM.
i am thinking it's the starter switch and not the ignition switch because the starter relay isn't clicking, but the ignition switch is, so if the starter switch isn't sending power to the relay, the relay isn't gonna click, but if it was sendin, it would click, i just don't wanna have to take out the steering column and all that jazz. man's gotta do whata man's gotta do though, can't be a bitch in this world
Just a few 13 mm bolts to the engine & the small nuts to the solenoid.
starter was bad, my car doctoring is getting better, switched it out for about 116$. everyone have a good memorial day, god bless our veterans 
