Car didn't start

[plev]

I had an issue today where my beast would not start. I had full power to windows, lights, but got NOTHING when I turned the key, not even a clicking from the starter.

I let the car sit for three hours and it started right up.

this wasn't an issue because I was home but I'd hate to have this happen away from the house.

If it helps, I had just washed it however had started it to move it once after the wash.

Any ideas what it could have been?

[Kevin]

sounds like the clutch switch problem I had. simple fix.

Pull drivers side hush panel. Find Purple wire that goes to clutch 
switch. Look at switch and note the color of wire coming back 
up.(Yellow??) Will be able to jumper them right there. I used a 3 in 
wire with terminals on the end and unplugged the wires going to switch 
and plugged in the jumper wire. Use a 12 ga wire at least as it does 
carry a heavy current load which is why the switch fails, it gets hot 
and the resistance across the points stops current flow.

[LGAFF]

The question is if there is a volt drop when you push in the clutch pedal, if you see a volt drop, clutch switch is fine.

Chances are starter is going or was wet.

[tccrab]

Originally Posted by plev

I had an issue today where my beast would not start. I had full power to windows, lights, but got NOTHING when I turned the key, not even a clicking from the starter.

I let the car sit for three hours and it started right up.

this wasn't an issue because I was home but I'd hate to have this happen away from the house.

If it helps, I had just washed it however had started it to move it once after the wash.

Any ideas what it could have been?

Sounds like the...............
Dreaded No Start

My favorite topic!!

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showpost.ph...45&postcount=2

TomC
"Crabs

[Aurora40]

Was the car hot when it wouldn't start? If so, the sitting to fix it suggests a starter going south.

Did the security light come on when it wouldn't start? That suggests a VATS or key issue (and you probably could have tried again in 5 minutes vs 3 hours.)

[plev]

Yes, the car was hot, or at least very very warm.

and yes the security light was on. I noticed it because all the dash boards lit up as they do when I am starting it. I'll have to check to see if the security light typically comes on when I start it.

What's VATS?

[Aurora40]

vehicle anti-theft system. It is that black pellet in the ignition key (and the system that reads the pellet's resistance).

It's not uncommon for the pellet to wear over time and no longer make good contact. There are also other wear parts, but for me I've been able to solve VATS problems on past cars with a new ignition key.

[tccrab]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

1. Jumper out the Clutch safety switch. Are you saying jump the purple wire to what? (Kevin's solution)
2. Replace Starter relay under dash. This is the relay you show in diagram? Where is started relay located exactly?
3. Install my patented "Dreaded No Start Cure". What is this?

1. Install a jumper wire to bypass the clutch safety switch. Pretty simple stuff.
2. There is a starter relay tucked up under the dash on the drivers side.
3. Dreaded No Start Cure:
http://www.zr1.net/forum/showpost.ph...88&postcount=6

TomC
"Crabs

[gbrtng]

91s do not have a starter relay under the dash - that came in later years.

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

I put your patented No Start Cure in Solutions http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11619

I thought I would take the liberty of enhancing Mr. TCCRAB's diagram. The relay is an excellent solution, especially if bypassing the clutch switch is not necessarily desirable to some. (The relay does the heavy lifting, leaving the clutch switch the relative minuscule task of triggering the relay.)



Something else comes to mind, and that is while purchasing the relay one might get a plug-in type relay and the matching socket, as opposed to hard wiring the relay in place. That would allow for a quick swap of the relay - if ever needed. Just a thought.

P.