Won't start

[Gyzmo]

I bought my 1994 PA in 2003 and since then have had it towed in twice for not statrting. Before that I had it in for intermittantly not starting. This first time (Jan 2004) was in the dealer and they replaced some cable and the starter. Then in June it was towed in and the independent service replaced the starter again. In July it was towed in again and this independent service man said he scoped it out and repaired the electrical system. Since then we had the HVAC blower stick on and it "healed" itself. Yesterday it would not start again. All lights etc seem to work fine, but when key is turned it is like a direct short and nothing happens. In looking back in the papers in the car I found that the starter was replaced by previous owner in July 2001. Either there is something wrong other than starters or this car is awfull hard on them. Any suggestions that I can give to the mechanic?

[parkavenuechrome]

Originally Posted by Gyzmo

I bought my 1994 PA in 2003 and since then have had it towed in twice for not statrting. Before that I had it in for intermittantly not starting. This first time (Jan 2004) was in the dealer and they replaced some cable and the starter. Then in June it was towed in and the independent service replaced the starter again. In July it was towed in again and this independent service man said he scoped it out and repaired the electrical system. Since then we had the HVAC blower stick on and it "healed" itself. Yesterday it would not start again. All lights etc seem to work fine, but when key is turned it is like a direct short and nothing happens. In looking back in the papers in the car I found that the starter was replaced by previous owner in July 2001. Either there is something wrong other than starters or this car is awfull hard on them. Any suggestions that I can give to the mechanic?

Sounds like a cable corrosion problem, or bad engine grouding problem.. I bet your starter is grouding correctly or the entire motor ground cable is shot.

[Gyzmo]

Just got a call from mechanic and he said the problem was the HVAC blower controller. Is stayed on and caused battery to run down. I knew I was having blower problem, but had not heard it for a week. The battery was still strong enough to run headlights etc. Maybe the case, we will see after it returns with a new part that I need anyway with cold weather coming soon.

[parkavenuechrome]

Go figure.. the stupidest things i swear... I just posted the battery light issue, well the wiring harness popped off the alternator but ran fine and charged fine, just gave me a flickering warning light and it made contact whenever i hit a pothole.. of all the things...

[Shrocat]

Originally Posted by Gyzmo

Just got a call from mechanic and he said the problem was the HVAC blower controller. Is stayed on and caused battery to run down. I knew I was having blower problem, but had not heard it for a week. The battery was still strong enough to run headlights etc. Maybe the case, we will see after it returns with a new part that I need anyway with cold weather coming soon.

The starter needs more power than everything else in the car combined.
A lot more. So, a battery can be low enough to power headlights and dashlights, for a few minutes, but still not have anywhere near enough energy to crank the engine. And that switch is a likely culprit for draining the battery. It is entirely possible that it shorted to ground, and drained off enough energy from the battery to kill it.