FIXED! - No Start, 89 100

[Dave Conner <conner@grinten.cfm.ohio-state.edu>]

I'm pleased to report that at long last I've solved my problem of
intermittent "no start" with my 89 100.  I admit to feeling a bit dopey
about how long it took.  First Prize for the correct answer goes to Scott
M.  His reply dated last August is copied below.  From now on, when Scott
speaks, I'll be listening.  The problem was exactly as Scott suggested.
Apparently the anti-theft system went haywire and would randomly prevent
the starter from working.  The random part is half the reason why it took
me so long to track it down.  In the end, the way I solved it was by doing
the following at a time when it wouldn't start.  I pulled the anti-theft
relay and inserted a jumper wire across the correct terminals, and she
started right up.  The wire will remain there permanently.  

I had disconnected the alarm long ago due to other problems with the door
locks causing it to go off too many times.  So even though the system was
acting up, there was no alarm going off.
A little history of my troubles leading to the solution follows.  Initially
I didn't have the Bentley, and couldn't quite figure out where to insert
the jumper wire, suggested by Scott, without it.  And consulting with a
local "mechanic" at a time when the fault was >not< occuring proved
useless.  At his recommendation I rebuilt the starter, even though it had
tested OK. In the course of trying to track the problem down I also
replaced the ignition switch, checked the switches at the shifter, and
polished up all the ground wires connections, all to no avail.  In the end
it was a three inch piece of wire, properly applied, that solved the
problem.  The fact that this car has an automatic transmission was unrelated.

Thanks again to Scott M. and the power of the Q-list.
Dave Conner 
Columbus, OH

>From: "Scott M." <scottmo@teleport.com>
>To: "Dave Conner" <conner@cfm.ohio-state.edu>
>Subject: Re: No Start - 89 100
>Date: Thu, 14 Aug 1997 10:50:53 -0700
>
>Dave,
>The 89 100 uses a "Anti-Theft" relay (#8 relay position
>under the hood) which disconnects the starter solenoid lead
>unless the alarm system provides a ground to turn the relay
>on and allow the solenoid to get +12V for operation.  You
>may want to jumper across this relay to test whether this
>is the problem. The alarm system may have gone haywire and
>thinks that you are trying to steal the car..... 
>
>There is also an automatic transmission selector solenoid
>switch which prevents the car from starting if the shifter
>is not in P or N. If this switch is out of adjustment,
>sometimes moving the shift lever slightly forward or back
>will allow the car to start. Make sure your foot is on the
>brake in case it starts and is actually in Reverse. Don't
>want any un-intended acceleration going on here. It could
>be your auto-trans selector switch (neutral starting
>switch) is out of adjustment or defective.
>HTH
>Scott M.
>
>> This is an 89 100 with automatic trans.
>> The starter won't turn, and doesn't seem to be getting
>any power from the
>> ignition switch.  The starter checks out OK.  ! 
>