Car not starting

Shaun41178(2) · Post by **Shaun41178(2)** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:34 pm

I bypassed the nuetral start safety switch because it was faulty. This was done like 4 years ago. I just used a wire and a couple of connectors to do so plugged into the original female end of the plug.

I got the new clutch in, and well now the car won't start with the ignition switch. Only thing I can think of is the neutral switch but I fiddled with it and nothing happened. New wire and such and still nothing.

If I crawl under the car I can short out the power wire and the solenoid and it cranks over. However even doing that it still won't start.

My main concern right now is getting the damn ignition to work when I turn the key. If I can get that fixed, I can figure out if it has spark or fuel. Otherwise its wirign in a "start" button into the car.

So obviously the signal from the switch to the starter is getting lost inbetween the switch and the starter. Its my guess its the neutral start safety switch but anyone else have any other ideas?

Everything worked good 2 months ago when I stopped driving the car because of the slipping clutch. Havent' changed anything since as far as the wiring goes.

Is there a test I can do on the safety switch wiring to see if its passing current or what not?

Is there someting in the wiring that goes bad that I dont' know about?

I guess it could almost be anythign. Its been out in the weatehr for the past several months not driving it and I live 2 blocks fromt eh beach. I am thinking maybe the salt air and such has corroded something that I dont' know about.

whipped · Post by **whipped** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 8:19 pm

I'm told the fiero has a start button underneath the dash near the steering column... A rod goes from the key/lock to it. Might be something to check if the clutch switch is bypassed, and has worked until now...

The Dark Side of Will · Sat Oct 28, 2006 8:41 pm

Got a test light? Get to work. You know what to do.

Don't have a test light? Go buy one (or a multi-meter) and look for 12V when the key's in the start positition. Start at the clutch switch connector, move back to the C500. Your car was originally a stick, right?

whipped · Post by **whipped** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 8:44 pm

It's too bad that fiero wiring diagram website went down... that was a great resource

Shaun41178(2) · Post by **Shaun41178(2)** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:01 pm

Ya I know what I gotta do. I do have a test light and a VOM. the test light bulb burned out however but I can easily get a new one of course.

I am guessing power goes through the neutral start switch? Or is it a ground?

I have a helms manual here if I need it. I am just being lazy right now. I have worked hard on it within the last few days so I am a littel burnt out.

I think I will wire in a start button. Wouldnt' be too hard to do.

Never heard of this start button under the dash taht you speak of Ryan.

whipped · Post by **whipped** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:14 pm

Shaun41178(2) wrote: Never heard of this start button under the dash taht you speak of Ryan.

One of these days I'm going to find it..... THe ignition lock isn't the actual switch part like you'd think...

Power goes through all of it. It's a heavy gauge wire that goes to the starter solenoid...

p8ntman442 · Post by **p8ntman442** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:20 pm

The ignition cylinder pushes a rod which is connected to a switch down the column, this is a flat long like 7 wire connector, unsure of the number of wires. Anyways, that probably your problem. Its a white connector in my 86.

I have the PDF downloaded for the 86 factory service manual from fieronews.net is that the site that went down? I will pull and post the page.

EDIT: the site is up DL the PDF yourself. Everyone should grab copies of atleast the FSM and the Parts book. Shaun I found the part number for your clutch shaft bearings in 1 minute with that PDF just now.

p8ntman442 · Post by **p8ntman442** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:28 pm

This pic shows the rod pointed to and outlined, as much as you can see atleast. I also Circled the connector you want to check.

p8ntman442 · Post by **p8ntman442** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:30 pm

Temporarily shaun to fix your actual engine problems, get some aligator clips, run one to the starter, and terminate it at a momentary switch, then run the other side of the switch to the battery, put the car in neutral, and you can push button to crank it over at the back of the car. Good for getting it over to TDC to set timing, and also in your case to try and start the car. Careful of backfires if your timing is off. Dont crank too long.

Shaun41178(2) · Post by **Shaun41178(2)** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 11:00 pm

I failed to mention that there is an alarm on this car as well. Maybe thats causing the problem. Since my battery was out, it of course reset when I plugged it back in. The alarm was going off, but as soon as I put my key in the ignition and turn it to run, it stops.

I didnt' put the alarm on. It came with the car when I bought it. Its been a pain the whole time too. It fucks everything up.

I don't know. I didn't give it much thought. Like I said I am burnt out right now.

I dont' recognize that connector. I should prob take pics under my dash to compare.

p8ntman442 · Post by **p8ntman442** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 11:06 pm

there are only like 2 connectors mounted to the column, cant be too hard to figure out.

Fast88Fiero · Post by **Fast88Fiero** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 12:53 am

You did check your fuses, right? It could be the alarm disableing the starter. I had a problem with my 88 not wanting to start when I switched from the 4 cyl to the V6. Turned out the wire to the starter was in a different location on the C500 connector on the V6 harness. Maybe the wire is broken?

Edit:

GM wireing diagrams: http://home.att.net/~subzero350/index.htm

:thumbleft:

Chase Race · Post by **Chase Race** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 3:20 pm

Shaun41178(2) wrote:I failed to mention that there is an alarm on this car as well. Maybe thats causing the problem. Since my battery was out, it of course reset when I plugged it back in.

I'm betting that's your problem since that's the only thing different from when you parked the car.

Shaun41178(2) · Post by **Shaun41178(2)** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 3:50 pm

Well were were all wrong. Yes I did check all the fuses.

What it was was the C500 was disconnected. Small oversight I guess you cuold say. It wasn't hanging free, it was sitting up on the female part of the connector, it just wasn't tighttened down nor plugged in all the way. Just resting next to it. Close enough to tell that it wasn't plugged in.

My buddy came over and saw it within like 5 minutes of looking at it. He didnt' know what it was, just asked me if it should be connected. I smacked myself in the head.

So its running now. all is well. gotta finish up the exhaust and the clutch hydraulics as well as tighten down all the mounts. Then I can put some miles on it and start tuning it.

Also threw 3 codes. I think they were 35,42 and 45.

Weponhead · Post by **Weponhead** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:09 pm

LOLZ pwn3d!

Series8217 · Post by **Series8217** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:15 pm

Shaun's avatar dances to my music

product1620 · Post by **product1620** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 6:15 pm

Series8217 wrote:Shaun's avatar dances to my music

care to share?

Series8217 · Post by **Series8217** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 8:09 pm

in general.

Fast88Fiero · Post by **Fast88Fiero** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 10:59 pm

LOL, nice. I was kinda close, I mentioned the C500 connector. :la:

The Dark Side of Will · Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:42 pm

The Dark Side of Will wrote:Start at the clutch switch connector, move back to the C500. Your car was originally a stick, right?