Starter or clutch switch?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
Starter or clutch switch? Hi,
My '01 WS6 TA is not starting. Battery is good. It just clicks faintly and then nothing. It is somewhat intermittent, but once it doesn't start, then it doesn't start for a long time. Then, out of nowhere, I will try it and it will start.
The car was throwing a clutch switch code a couple of times somewhat recently, but I believe it was due to my foot slipping off the clutch pedal. The only codes now have to do with "bank 1 running lean", O2 sensor, and that's it.
How can I tell if it is the starter [solenoid?] or the clutch switch?
Thanks,
fastertransam
My '01 WS6 TA is not starting. Battery is good. It just clicks faintly and then nothing. It is somewhat intermittent, but once it doesn't start, then it doesn't start for a long time. Then, out of nowhere, I will try it and it will start.
The car was throwing a clutch switch code a couple of times somewhat recently, but I believe it was due to my foot slipping off the clutch pedal. The only codes now have to do with "bank 1 running lean", O2 sensor, and that's it.
How can I tell if it is the starter [solenoid?] or the clutch switch?
Thanks,
fastertransam
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Use a multimeter or test light to check for power on the dark green wire at the starter relay socket in junction block #2 under the hood. You should have power there when the clutch is depressed and the ignition is turned to the start position. If there's power then the clutch switch is not the problem. That doesn't mean the starter is the problem - it could be the starter relay, a VATS problem, or something else in the wiring.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
Use a multimeter or test light to check for power on the dark green wire at the starter relay socket in junction block #2 under the hood. You should have power there when the clutch is depressed and the ignition is turned to the start position. If there's power then the clutch switch is not the problem. That doesn't mean the starter is the problem - it could be the starter relay, a VATS problem, or something else in the wiring.
Buddy of mine who has had a lot of TA says if its the clutch switch, then it will do absolutely nothing. Starter / relays / solenoid have certain sounds?
Thanks,
fastertransam
This happens even when the battery is going bad. 'Tis the season for this type of thing to come up...
The first and easy thing to confirm is to try jump starting the car. (With a vehicle having a matched or larger battery. Compact cars don't have the juice to jump us...)
The first and easy thing to confirm is to try jump starting the car. (With a vehicle having a matched or larger battery. Compact cars don't have the juice to jump us...)
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
This happens even when the battery is going bad. 'Tis the season for this type of thing to come up...
The first and easy thing to confirm is to try jump starting the car. (With a vehicle having a matched or larger battery. Compact cars don't have the juice to jump us...)
The first and easy thing to confirm is to try jump starting the car. (With a vehicle having a matched or larger battery. Compact cars don't have the juice to jump us...)
Best,
fastertransam
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
Right. Thanks. I’ve been wondering about the clutch switch just because it did throw a code a couple of times A while back. But I think it’s because my foot slipped off the clutch when I was starting the car. Best, fastertransam
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I'm not sure the jump box proves anything. Those are a wimpy device up against a very large engine. My experience has been that the LS is very hard to jump - even compared to many truck engines. (I assume part of this is due to the starter design.)
I would try the clutch thing first - do you get any clicking when you turn the key with the pedal out vs. in? (The starter should not try at all when the clutch isn't depressed.) If you get a different behavior, then your clutch switch is good.
Then I would try a proper jump. If that doesn't work, I'd get the battery tested and look for corroded/loose wires in the battery and charging system.
I would try the clutch thing first - do you get any clicking when you turn the key with the pedal out vs. in? (The starter should not try at all when the clutch isn't depressed.) If you get a different behavior, then your clutch switch is good.
Then I would try a proper jump. If that doesn't work, I'd get the battery tested and look for corroded/loose wires in the battery and charging system.
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