Ignition question

[Rockin302]

1990 5.0 lx notch 5-speed.

When I first turn the key on the car starts fine but if I stop it then try and restart it right afterwards I can only hear the fuel pump kick on but no clicking from the starter and the motor doesn't turn over at all.

I have to turn the car off and on a couple times before it starts back up again. The battery is new and I checked the charge on it with a voltmeter and it was good. I start the car and check it again to make sure the alternator is working and it is.

So I'm thinking could it be the clutch interlock (car is a 5-speed) switch or maybe the ignition switch? I checked the wiring and my positive and ground cables are all tight with no corrosion.

Any ideas?

 

[92LX50]

I had a similar problem with mine. I have an auto so you might want to check the clutch switch first. First off, clean all your connections and make sure all your grounds are clean. Mine turned out to be the small slip on wire going to the solenoid was corroded an not making contact. Drove me friggin nuts.

 

[jrichker]

Here's a checklist:

Check battery, terminal connections, ground, starter relay switch (also known as solenoid) and starter in that order.

A voltmeter is handy if you are familiar with how to use it to find bad connections. Measure the voltage drop across a connection: more than .5 volts across a connection indicates a problem.
See http://www.fluke.com/application_notes/automotive/circuit.asp?AGID=1&SID=103 for help

1.) Will the car start if it is jumped? Then clean battery terminals and check battery.

2.) Check the battery to engine block ground, and the ground behind the engine to the firewall.

3.) Then pull the small push on connector (red wire) off the starter relay (Looks like it is stuck on a screw) and jump it to the terminal that is connected to the battery. If it starts, the relay is good and your problem is in the rest of the circuit.

4.) Remember to check the ignition switch, neutral safety switch on auto trans and the clutch safety switch on manual trans cars. If they are good, then the relay is bad. See http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80195963.gif for 88-90 year cars .OR see http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80195964.gif for 91-93 year cars.

5.) Jump the big terminals on the starter relay next to the battery with a screwdriver - watch out for the sparks! If the engine cranks, the starter and power wiring is good. The starter relay is also known as a starter solenoid.

6.) The starter may be hung, loosen up the bolts that hold it on, and give it a good whack with a big hammer. Tighten up the bolts and try again.

7.) If that doesn't work, use a jumper cable from the positive lead on the battery direct to the starter post where the big wire from the relay connects. If it cranks then, it is the power wire from the relay gone bad. This will be hard to do, since there isn't much room to do it.

8.) Pull the starter and take it to Autozone or Pep Boys and have them test it. Starter fails test, then replace it. If you got this far, the starter is probably bad.