Engine starting issues
For awhile now ( meaning over a year) i have noticed at times I can turn the ignition key and it will just click. You could do this 2-3 times and then it would start no problem. the issue would come a...
Forum Discussion
If it were mine as suggested by several other people I would clean all the battery connections and chassis ground connections. Get a wire brush and terminal cleaner cheap items get some dielectric grease to apply to the terminals after cleaning. If that doesn't fix it remove the starter & solenoid and have them checked also check those connections to make sure they are not loose or corroded. It could be a ignition switch but I have seen more bad corroded connections and bad starters than ignition switches but ignition switches do go bad.
Understanding how the system works will help I will try and explain. Here are the basics The ignition switch sends power to a relay called a starter solenoid the solenoid closes giving power to the starter. The reason a relay is used is because the amperage is too high for a small switch to carry that load it also allows for the large cables that carry the current from the battery to be as short as possible for current loss and cost of the cables.
The chassis ground connection often gets overlooked so make sure it is clean and tight. Make sure the ground connection to the chassis is not made over painted metal if it is clean the metal so it is shinny bare and add some dielectric grease to the connection replace any cables that show corrosion that can't be cleaned if the strands are all green going into the cable insulation change that cable.
If it is the ignition switch and the ignition switch is on the steering column the keyed part of the switch is not what needs to be changed it will be a switch down on the column a rod from the key lock goes down to the switch to actuate it these are also adjustable and can become out of adjustment which could also cause the problem so check it too. If the key switch is on the dash like mine that unit will have the switch built in with the keyed portion.
I will add one more thing there is a neutral safety switch in this system that does not allow you to start the vehicle when it is in gear so you can try putting it in neutral and wiggling the gear shifter in neutral and park to see if that changes anything if it is a manual type (not a push button).
Good luck.
Mike
Understanding how the system works will help I will try and explain. Here are the basics The ignition switch sends power to a relay called a starter solenoid the solenoid closes giving power to the starter. The reason a relay is used is because the amperage is too high for a small switch to carry that load it also allows for the large cables that carry the current from the battery to be as short as possible for current loss and cost of the cables.
The chassis ground connection often gets overlooked so make sure it is clean and tight. Make sure the ground connection to the chassis is not made over painted metal if it is clean the metal so it is shinny bare and add some dielectric grease to the connection replace any cables that show corrosion that can't be cleaned if the strands are all green going into the cable insulation change that cable.
If it is the ignition switch and the ignition switch is on the steering column the keyed part of the switch is not what needs to be changed it will be a switch down on the column a rod from the key lock goes down to the switch to actuate it these are also adjustable and can become out of adjustment which could also cause the problem so check it too. If the key switch is on the dash like mine that unit will have the switch built in with the keyed portion.
I will add one more thing there is a neutral safety switch in this system that does not allow you to start the vehicle when it is in gear so you can try putting it in neutral and wiggling the gear shifter in neutral and park to see if that changes anything if it is a manual type (not a push button).
Good luck.
Mike
