Switched the starter, still not starting

[RedAstig]

Thanks man...just got confuse of this starting headache when my engine gets hot, wont start...i will try this. Thanks bro.

[cre]

Check for diagnostic codes first. Heat may cause a failing starter or wiring from cranking but there are other possibilities as well. If it's a failing starter or other component this rewire will be a pointless headache.

[RedAstig]

Originally Posted by cre

Check for diagnostic codes first. Heat may cause a failing starter or wiring from cranking but there are other possibilities as well. If it's a failing starter or other component this rewire will be a pointless headache.

Thanks CRE, my starter is new and alternator, battery is good. But just now I have a new problem...when i turn on my headlights, it wont come on but instead I hear a continuous clicking sound on one of the relay in driver side and the big relay on engine compartment and my dash board light on and off, it happen before and i thought its only a loosen relay coz when i push it, it works but now it wont work that way anymore, any idea what is this? i appreciate all your help man.

[batmmannn]

I jacked my MKIII up and attached a wire to the blue and black wire tabbed location brown clip on the starter and ran it to the positive terminal of my battery and it acts like it is shorting out when I touch positive wire to the battery terminal. I was following instructions I read on the site as to how to test the activation wire to the starter. The car sat for a couple of years but the starter worked fine when I parked it does anyone have an answer for this? Does this mean the starter has somehow gone bad just from sitting?

The wire sparks when I touch it to the positive terminal seems to burn slightly but not like a full short. The Starter does nothing. I have full battery and the car only clicks when I try to start it. Could a short have developed within the starter just from sitting?
Please respond. Thanks

[JRWooden]

I hope some smart people are still around here on the forum...
I'm the original owner of MkIII 86.5 NA

I've been having starting issues and am aware of the common problem with the blue trigger wire not supplying adequate juice to fully pull in the solenoid, and the relay-fix. I have NOT yet installed that upgrade but likely will do so very soon...
except today ... it's cold raining and my Supra won't start.

I have good battery (6 mo old, fully charged).
I recently replaced starter motor which may not have been 100% necessary,
but before I turned in the core I took it apart and if it wasn't causing some issues ...
it was going to be doing so soon brushes and contacts in poor shape.


if there is any talent on deck - I have two Questions please:


1) Has anyone ever found the OEM starter relay on the passenger side kick panel to be a problem?

Item "C" in this pic:
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar...aspx?S=BE&P=14

Starter relay center right in this diagram:
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar...x?S=Main&P=038



2) I have had issues in the past with the alarm system ... so would like to eliminate that as a potential issue.
One proposed way to disable the alarm system permanently is to unplug the alarm switch at the hood latch
since it is easy to get to ... I think it was @cre that suggested this?


It appears to be the 2-pin black connector at rear of hood latch assby?
Do I just unplug it or do I jumper across the harness side of the connector? That part was not clear....


Thanks!
Jim

[cre]

If the car is cranking intermittently, the alarm system is less likely to be the culprit. Yes, relays do wear out with age and the starter relay could definitely be at fault. The clutch start switch or neutral start switch (depending on whether you have a manual or automatic transmission) is another likely source of the problem. I would start with testing these.

I would have to look at the wiring diagram for the alarm system to be certain, but I'm pretty sure the connector just needs to be unplugged so the alarm sees an open circuit and doesn't arm.. now if there is a fault in the control module it may prevent the alarms starter relay from closing. In that case, you would bypass the alarm starter relay and disconnect harness connection for the alarm module. I'm at work presently and it's going to be a late day here... I'll try to look at the wiring diagram tonight of tomorrow.

[JRWooden]

Thanks CRE!

I have a manual trans. so it could be the clutch safety switch.

It just seemed curious to me that no one had mentioned the OEM—starter-relay as a likely suspect ;-)

The wire failing just seems weird ...

The wire-gauge to the solenoid at the starter is pretty beefy,
but if i read the wiring diagram correctly the current has to come through the AM1 contacts on the ignition-switch ... so ...
it seems like it shouldn't be a ton of current?

Perhaps my “easiest” first step would be to rig a temporary 14G
(or better) jumper wire from the starter solenoid (blue) wire
terminal to somewhere close to the battery and make it “safe”.
Leaving the original intact).

Then next time car does not start –
I pop the hood and touch of the wire on the positive terminal...
(with the car in neutral and parking brake applied of course… )
and see what happens….

If it starts then ... well it's not the starter or the battery.
It could still be

1. clutch safety swtich
2. OEM starter relay not passing adequate current
3. blue solenoid wire crapped out
   (or high resistance connection somewhere ...)
4. or dicked up alarm system ...

But as long as I can get home ... I can work those things out...

If I can FIND one maybe I'll just replace the starter relay because it's pretty easy...


Check the image on this page:
https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/ind...-current-draw/


Thinking about it... installing a "helper" relay really addresses both #2 and #3 at the same time... without isolating the actual cause...?


Looking at the alarm:
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar...ection=BE&P=85



The hood switch is just a switch to ground and shown in the "open" position ... which I think means it would close when you pop the hood and I can just unplug it and defeat the alarm?





I think my brain is full... time for a beer.


AGAIN thanks for your help!
Any further thoughts much appreciated!