Everything working except cranking!:-(

[igya]

My '96 automatic, 1.6 Tracker (with new battery and clamps) does everything right except crank. Turn key to start position and......NOTHING! All lights, horn, fan, radio, EVERYTHING works but no sound of any kind from engine. It has done this ever so often but would always crank after repeated tries. Not this time though. I'm a pretty fair mechanic but if this is something someone else has dealt with, I'd appreciate a tip on where to start searching. Starter? Ground? Switch? Uh-h-h-h-h-h....?

[key1911]

Take a test light to the solenoid on the starter and see if you have voltage when the key is turned to crank position. If so, more than likely the starter/solenoid is problem. If not, need to see why there is no voltage-neutral safety switch?..maybe ignition switch?

[igya]

Originally Posted by key1911

Take a test light to the solenoid on the starter and see if you have voltage when the key is turned to crank position. If so, more than likely the starter/solenoid is problem. If not, need to see why there is no voltage-neutral safety switch?..maybe ignition switch?

I can't remember if it started this BEFORE or AFTER I had the auto tranny replaced. I think after. Neutral switch possibility. Thanks! I'll start with the starter anyway. Thanks!

[key1911]

Another quick thought...if you do have voltage at the starter, have someone hold the key to crank position, crawl underneath and tap starter body with hammer. Now don't mash it! Just 4 or 5 quick hits in a row. Sometimes this will jar worn brushes or move the exciter plate inside the solenoid. If this works, its..."starter time".

[igya]

Originally Posted by key1911

Another quick thought...if you do have voltage at the starter, have someone hold the key to crank position, crawl underneath and tap starter body with hammer. Now don't mash it! Just 4 or 5 quick hits in a row. Sometimes this will jar worn brushes or move the exciter plate inside the solenoid. If this works, its..."starter time".

Okay, here's the latest. I tried to crank it again and it DID crank but had the ol' starter "drag" thing happening. It seems that while it's cold, it's more likely to crank (dragging EVERY time) than when it's hot. It has "Lost contact" in the past but this is the first time to start dragging. It really does sound like the starter. I jacked it up and eyeballed the starter and was wondering if it's possible to do a driveway swap out, or best to let a shop strip my wallet clean. What do you think?

[key1911]

Dragging has me concerned. A starter will drag if low on amprage aka
battery. I know you said you have a new battery, but you also mentioned clamps. I am guessing battery cable ends. Make real sure you have those ends secured real nice and, make sure enough of the outer jacket has been stripped so as much of the cable is inserted into the cable clamp.
If your sure about all above it's usually not much to remove starter. Disconnect both battery cables and when removing starter, look for any shims that are between the starter and what the starter is bolted to. Then take the starter to one of those parts places and they can bench test right then and there and let you know if starter has too much draw or your problem is somewhere else.

[wrenchboss26]

I know you are honed in on the starter, but whenever i have this type of issue in an automatic, the 1st thing i do is try to start it in neutral, or while wiggling the gear selector while in park.

[key1911]

I'm not honed into the starter, you can see in previous threads that I was honed in on switches..aka ignition switch or "neutral safety switch" which involves the "wiggle" test in neutral. Now that could still be a problem, but he now says that when it does turn over, it's dragging.

[igya]

[quote=key1911;5968597]I'm not honed into the starter, you can see in previous threads that I was honed in on switches..aka ignition switch or "neutral safety switch" which involves the "wiggle" test in neutral. Now that could still be a problem, but he now says that when it does turn over, it's dragging.[/QUOTE

Hey guys, I'm zeroing in on the starter today. I banged on it and it seemed to work a little better which might mean stuck brushes. I tried getting enough stuff out of the way to get to the top mounting bolt but my hands seem to be too big to reach it without losing my religion. I suppose it'll have to go out through the bottom, right?

[igya]

[quote=igya;5968991][quote=key1911;5968597]I'm not honed into the starter, you can see in previous threads that I was honed in on switches..aka ignition switch or "neutral safety switch" which involves the "wiggle" test in neutral. Now that could still be a problem, but he now says that when it does turn over, it's dragging.[/QUOTE

Problem solved. It was the starter. $100 got me an O'Reilly rebuild and everything is back to "normal." Thanks for all your suggestions!!

[key1911]

Super, good to hear...just wondering, did they offer to
bench test the old starter?