North American Turbocoupe Organization



Dead bird!
Scot Offline
Member
#1
We were hit with some pretty cold weather (-22*F) during which the car would not start. During a warmer period I was able to boost and it fired up no problem, ran like it's usual self for the day...until we were back in the deep freeze the next day. Now that it has warmed up it's still no go. It will not turn over at all, the starter relay is working; Pulling no codes and I can't do KOER for obvious reasons. I have swapped the battery, ignition coil and starter relay with parts I know to be good, also rebuilt the alternator two weeks ago. I tried a test light on the coil while 'starting' and I'm getting no flashing on the tester. My next step is TFI and/or PIP....is there anything else I should try before the TFI/PIP swap? Could the starter itself be punched, I've checked connectins and grounds and they are in tact and in good condition. With the key on all accessories work, lights are all working and all appears normal except of course the purr of the mighty 2.3 is missing! Thanks, Scot
1987 Turbocoupe

3" downpipe, hi-flow 3" cat
2.5" single exhaust and Dynamax Superturbo

2006 Dodge Magnum
1996 Voyager
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#2
It not clear from your post, you say the starter "will not turn over at all", then you say a test light doesn't flash. Is the starter turning the engine over??

If the starter does not turn the engine over and the relay works, then the problem is the
starter or the wiring to it.
Pete Dunham


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TeamEntity Offline
Member
#3
are you getting any sound from the engine bay when you turn the key??? click.. or nothing.. does the motor crank over and not fire.. or nothing.. my guess would be to test power to the fender mounted solinoid you should get a light when the key is turned.. on one side. if your not getting power to the other side of the soleinoid thats dead... if so.. move down to the starter.. power to the starter and nothing. the starter smoked.. try the basics first.. Peace.
Honest and sincere.. NO B.S. From me.
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JT Offline
Posting Freak
#4
To narrow it down, briefly jump the two large connectors on the solenoid with either a heavy gauge wire, or a screw driver blade. If the starter motor does nothing, then you either have a bad starter, or a problem with the wiring to the starter from the solenoid. Or even a poor battery supply connection.

If the starter motor does work with the test above, then you will need to start checking things before the starter solenoid, like the clutch safety switch or park/neutral switch, etc.

Pull off the small wire terminal elbow connector on the solenoid and probe it with a test light while turning the ignition key to START to see if it is delivering power to the solenoid. This will further help narrow it down.

[This message has been edited by JT (edited 02-06-2005).]
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t-bird88 Offline
Senior Member
#5
If you just take a screw driver and bridge from the battery side of the solinoid to the little terminal (the one with the two black with red striped wires) it should turn over. If not then check specific gravity of the battery or the charge, it could have taken a dump on you. You can also check each cell of the battery, to see if one or more cells has shorted out. It seems like cold weather kills more batterys than anything really.

Jim B [Image: biggrin.gif] .

------------------
Gunmetal Grey 88 TC, 85 & 88 TC parts cars.

I am now working on my sanity before mental illness sets in.
Gunmetal Grey 88 TC!!!!
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TeamEntity Offline
Member
#6
again.. you dont' need to risk welding your screwdriver.. if you have power down the enitire line. and you don't on the other end of each one.. replace that part. again. we don't know if it turns over and does not start. or turn the key and nothing..
Honest and sincere.. NO B.S. From me.
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JT Offline
Posting Freak
#7
i've been around (and working on) cars for quite some time, i've never "welded" my screwdriver. i did also mention the use of heavy gauge wire. i know that even Jeff has suggested this a few times in the past.

Doing the method by jumping the battery post to the small post on the solenoid still uses the solenoid so it doesn't rule out a faulty solenoid, even though it is probably the better method. If it is a cheap solenoid, it isn't uncommon to get a faulty one, or one that doesn't last.

You are right that we need to be certain on what type of no start condition this is. The author of the post goes both ways.

[This message has been edited by JT (edited 02-07-2005).]
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Scot Offline
Member
#8
It is totally a no start condition, as in turn the key and nothing. The solenoid does function when the key is turned and all lights and accessories are operating. There is nothing however from the starter, not even an attempt to turn over.
1987 Turbocoupe

3" downpipe, hi-flow 3" cat
2.5" single exhaust and Dynamax Superturbo

2006 Dodge Magnum
1996 Voyager
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JT Offline
Posting Freak
#9
Make sure that you have 12volts on that small wire that connects to the small terminal on the solenoid when the key is in the Start position so that the solenoid can do its job. If there is 12volts there, then about the only things it can be is either a dead starter or cable/connection issue between the starter and relay.

It is likely that you will have to get down to the starter regardless.

Also, many auto stores will test your starter for you if you bring it in to them.

[This message has been edited by JT (edited 02-08-2005).]
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Scot Offline
Member
#10
Thank you everyone. Barring a snowstorm this evening I'm going to install a rebuilt starter. I'll let you know whether or not that's the cure.
1987 Turbocoupe

3" downpipe, hi-flow 3" cat
2.5" single exhaust and Dynamax Superturbo

2006 Dodge Magnum
1996 Voyager
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