ignition electrical problemas.

[blakscorpion21]

my car will not start by turning the ignition. the only way to start it is to run a wire from a 12v source and take out the little connector to the starter and stick the wire in there. it starts right up so i know it is not the starter. ive tryind alot of things and i realize i am gonna have to check alot of wiring and shit to find the problem. any body got any hints that could make searching for the problem a little easier? everything else works like radio and crap and the igniton switch will work in the on position but when u turn it to start, nothing. it could be a fuse, broken wire, relay, solenoid anything, i just need to narrrow it down cause it we be hours trying to find the problem. thanks.

[calicelica]

hm? alternator? did you try flooding the gas (pumping the pedal 4-5x for about 30sec duration before turning the key to start)?

[Caneman]

Originally Posted by blakscorpion21

my car will not start by turning the ignition. the only way to start it is to run a wire from a 12v source and take out the little connector to the starter and stick the wire in there. it starts right up so i know it is not the starter. ive tryind alot of things and i realize i am gonna have to check alot of wiring and shit to find the problem. any body got any hints that could make searching for the problem a little easier? everything else works like radio and crap and the igniton switch will work in the on position but when u turn it to start, nothing. it could be a fuse, broken wire, relay, solenoid anything, i just need to narrrow it down cause it we be hours trying to find the problem. thanks.

When you say "nothing," I assume you mean no cranking, clicking or any other noise coming from the starter. If so, you may be experiencing a common problem among GEN5s.
I'll assume that you've checked your battery voltage to ensure that you have enough cranking power. Over time, it is assumed that there is a buildup of wear/resistance among the ignition switch and other components, including the starter, that add up to no cranking when you turn the key.
Some people have fixed it by direct wiring 12v to the starter and using a starter button to bypass the various points that are creating the resistance to the starter.
Others rebuild the starter and the problem goes away. One way to check if this "buildup" is the source of your problem is to rap on the starter with the handle of a hammer or large screwdriver immediately when you've turned the key and nothing happens. After rapping the starter (just a solid thump will do it), you may find that the car starts right up. If so, buy a starter rebuild kit on eBay for about $20 (or go directly to: http://nasyard.com/page1.html) or get your starter rebuilt.

[blakscorpion21]

the prob. is not the starter, it is ok, the prob is also not voltage. i am sure it is in the ignition switch or wiring or relays of some sort. when i bypass the ignition switch with power directly to the starter it works fine.

[jwaj2002]

Originally Posted by calicelica

hm? alternator? did you try flooding the gas (pumping the pedal 4-5x for about 30sec duration before turning the key to start)?

on a fuel injected vehicle, all pumping the gas does is shut off the fuel pump so it stops pumping, and celicas only get gas when the ignition is in the start position

[calicelica]

really? my roomie's prelude is EFI, and that method worked everytime. We thought that there's no fuel in the smaller reservoir which starts the engine. And I guess pumping the gas helped fill in that reservoir. Never tried in my own car, never had the prob.
to blackscorpion --> what have you found out so far?

[blakscorpion21]

Originally Posted by calicelica

really? my roomie's prelude is EFI, and that method worked everytime. We thought that there's no fuel in the smaller reservoir which starts the engine. And I guess pumping the gas helped fill in that reservoir. Never tried in my own car, never had the prob.
to blackscorpion --> what have you found out so far?

i havent found out anytghing so far. i just keep starting it with a wire that i stick directly in the startter. i am going home this weekend and i will get a volt meter and see if i cant find this problem.

[blakscorpion21]

i found the problem, damn nuetral start switch. one of the electodes was corroded straight off the connector pos. anyways i will fix it this weekend, had all the stuff off last weekend but didnt have time tofix it and go back to school, so its sitting at home now. im either gonna get a new switch or just bypass the thing.