[s-cars] Re: Hood's open -- moving on to starter woes

[Gary Erickson]

On Monday, November 04, 2002, Matt wrote:

MR> What happens, is that there are 2 cheap $1.99 clips that get all dried-up
MR> and break.  They keep the cable attached tightly to a piece of metal so that
MR> when you pull on the hood release handle, the hood pops.  "Stealer" only
MR> IIRC... mine took 2 days.

OK, finally got in there.

What had happened was that the little trumpet shaped piece that's
responsible for actuating the driver's side release had slipped out of
place.  So I wasn't triggering the driver's side release at all and I
couldn't get enough tension to trigger the pass. side release.

With the bellypan off I was able to use my longest prybar worked past
the radiator hoses and alternator to release the driver's side.  The
pass. side was a relative piece of cake to use a hook made from an old
coathanger to reach through the grill and trip the release lever.

Slip the "trumpet" back into place, adjust the tension on the release
cable and that problem is solved.

Now, on to my no-start issue:

Battery had been disconnected for two weeks because the car sat while
I replaced the hydraulic pump, installed the Samco hoses, sent the ECU
off for upgrade, and I went to play at Laguna Seca.

Reconnected the battery and tried to start the car to be rewarded with
a clicking/chattering from the starter; sounded like a weak battery
condition.  So I hooked up my battery charger, switched to 70A
Starting Assist and the engine turned over and caught.

Sounded like a dying battery to my, so I put my spare Optima on the
charger overnight and swapped it into the car.  Was able to start the
car on just battery (no charger assist) with much clicking/chattering
again and drive the car onto ramps in the garage.

That was the last time.  Now when I turn the key to the start
position, I get no starter activation at all.  Not even bad noises.

Best guesses?  I haven't had a chance to put a meter on the starter
yet to see if it's getting 'signal' from the ignition switch yet, but
I'm hoping that it's the starter that's bad; the ignition switch was
replaced by the PO in the last 18 months.

later,

-Gary