dead silence

[shaynezrl]

After the plenum, cam cover and clutch master install, I have no start. The starter is silence. The battery voltage is at max. I recheck all connections and everything is in tight. Anyone have any idea? Please let me know.

thank you
Shayne

[SharkPilot]

Just a thought...
You replaced the clutch master. Was the clutch safety switch adjustment knocked out while you were disconnecting and reinstalling the push-rod on the pedal? That is the first thing that I would check.

Best of luck.
Jim

[rhipsher]

I agree with sharky. But if that checks ok the next thing you do is check to see if there's juice going to the starter. In the main wire loom coming out of the ecm there is a fat purple wire. Take a simple volt tester light and make a small incision through the shielding and touch the volt tester on the exposed wire. Then turn the ignition key on to start the car. The test light should light up. If that checks out then you probably have a bad starter. Starters tend to go out all of the sudden. And other times they don't want to crank when the engine is hot. Hopfully its just you clutch switch.

[shaynezrl]

I agree with sharky. But if that checks ok the next thing you do is check to see if there's juice going to the starter. In the main wire loom coming out of the ecm there is a fat purple wire. Take a simple volt tester light and make a small incision through the shielding and touch the volt tester on the exposed wire. Then turn the ignition key on to start the car. The test light should light up. If that checks out then you probably have a bad starter. Starters tend to go out all of the sudden. And other times they don't want to crank when the engine is hot. Hopfully its just you clutch switch.
thanks guys,
where is the switch anyway? Maybe i accidently hit it while the removing the clutch master.

[tccrab]

The clutch safety switch is up on the clutch arm.
You will have to remove the hush panel to get at it.
It's fairly easy to jumper the switch, all you need is some wire and a couple of alligator clips.
Try holding the key in the START position while engaging and dis-engaging the clutch. Carefully watch the amp gauge. Normally, when the clutch safety switch is engaged the amps drop as the connection is made to the starter.

Some people report having success with giving the starter a wack with a long rod or a socket extension.
I've never done it, but I've read that there's one place where there's room between the runners on the plenum to get access to the starter.

TomC
'Crabs

[shaynezrl]

Once again many thanks. I will get to it today. Hopefully i can get the car to run today.

Shayne

[tccrab]

Hmmm.....
One more thing comes to mind.
You may be experiencing a VATS issue.
When you turn your key to START, is the VATS light flashing or does it light up and then go out?
If the VATS light is flashing, try locking and unlocking the drivers door with the ignition key.
Also try cleaning the contacts on the little resistor on your key and/or trying a spare key in the ignition.


More info than you'll ever want to know about VATS...
http://www.joestradingpost.com/vats/


TomC
'Crabs

[rhipsher]

Some people report having success with giving the starter a wack with a long rod or a socket extension.
I've never done it, but I've read that there's one place where there's room between the runners on the plenum to get access to the starter.

TomC
'CrabsYes it works but the problem is that it will leave you hanging at the worst times when you don't have any tools with you. A rebuilt starter is only $120 at Orielly's and will only take you about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to replace and be done with it. What kills the starter in these cars is that they site right on the bottom of the valley and if the drain hole clogs up then all it takes is it to fill up about a 1/4 deep with any fluid radiator/oil/water and that gets into the starter/solenoid and it's done for. And it doesn't take anything bigger than a couple of mouse turds to stop it up.

[shaynezrl]

Hello guys,

Just wanted to let you guys know that it was the clutch switch, it was dead. After fiddling around i install a new switch to fire up the car and now it is back to normal.


thanks everyone for the suggestions,
Shayne

[tccrab]

Hello guys,

Just wanted to let you guys know that it was the clutch switch, it was dead. After fiddling around i install a new switch to fire up the car and now it is back to normal.


thanks everyone for the suggestions,
Shayne

Glad to hear it was a simple fix.
Where did you get the switch and how much was it?
Probably a good idea to stash one in the tool box, our cars aren't getting any newer.....

TomC
'Crabs

[shaynezrl]

Glad to hear it was a simple fix.
Where did you get the switch and how much was it?
Probably a good idea to stash one in the tool box, our cars aren't getting any newer.....

TomC
'Crabs
Tom, I check out the price of the original switch for our cars ...its way up there. I cannot afford it. Instead i just went down to near auto part store and bought a simple switch for $5.40. Work just fine, all i have to do is wired positive,load, and ground and that is it.

Shayne