Hi guys, this is the short story of my ongoing starter problem with my evo viii. It all started when replacing the clutch a year ago. After the install and putting the starter back in, but the solenoid bolt broke off where the positive lead connects. So we replaced it, and it still wouldn't start.... This time it was a loose connection on the battery terminal.

YESTERDAY.... the car made the same noise when trying to start, just the fuel pump kicks on, but the starter isn't turning at all... so I tried tightening the connection on the solenoid bolts as it was a little loose.... and the bolt broke! Went to the local junkyard, got a solenoid that fit and works out of a Mitsubishi, tested it and it works. I put it an along with a brand new battery and new battery terminal connectors.... turn the key, still won't start!!! I got underneath the car to jump the solenoid from the positive to the small clip on wire and it fired up... so I figured I would jump the car till I could get to a garage and get underneath it.....

THIS MORNING...... tried jumping the solenoid with a wrench just like I did to get it to start last night, and the starter was turning the flywheel and the car wouldn't start though! idk if it didn't have enough fuel or what..... PLEASE HELP!

My best guess is that it has a bad wire or connection somewhere... I think it may be the small clip on wire on the starter solenoid....

I NEED your help!

 

Check the clip on the starter. there is supposed to be a black wire connected to it. That may be the culprit. I would also check your ignition switch, spark plugs and wires. Jumping the starter might kill the starter early (solenoid i mean). maybe it's time to get a brand new starter.

 

how many miles are on the original starter or car?

 

120k on the starter itself, less on the solenoid as it was just replaced from another mitsu with less miles .... but I know the starter and the solenoid both work, by giving them power I am able to get the solenoid plunger to pop out, and I can also get the starter to spin..... I am leaning towards that small black wire because its pretty flimsy looking



Also... if this doesn't solve it, how do I check the ignition switch/ where is it at?

 

I see, If it isn't the solenoid then i would look at that wire first. Yes, that wire is flimsy and can get worn over time and may not clip in tightly. The ignition switch but it is located to the left of the key cylinder. the key cylinder turns the ignition switch allowing the car to start. This sometimes go bad but i haven't seen it a lot. Also, you can try the clutch switch located where your pedal is (this is why we need to step on the clutch to start). If that doesn't work, maybe there is a ignition/fuel system fuse which is blown? Also check the spark plugs and wires. I hope this helps and good luck! let us know what you come across.

 

Call me crazy..... but I was able to start the car in neutral without putting the clutch in... because I was physically under the car and jumped the solenoid with a wrench, and nobody was in the car.... and it fired up. This confuses me, can anybody else start their car in neutral without stepping on the clutch?

And I'll check the wire along with everything else after work and update this!

thanks!

 

When you jump the car from the starter, i believe you are bypassing all the safety switches which allows you to start the car. But then again, i think in order to start it from the starter, the ignition must be in the acc position. Without it in that position, i dont think the car will start.

 

Have you adjusted the clutch pedal recently? Check the sensor on the pedal, i believe its supose to make contact when the clutch is depressed

 

You may find this discussion useful:

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...ied-fixed.html

FYI

 

It could also be the ignition switch solenoid in the steering column. I had an Evo that did the same thing to me. I thought it was the starter and battery and changed them both to nothing worked. It would kick the fuel pump on but made no attempt to start the car. I switched the ignition switch solenoid and it fixed the problem. Also if that solenoid moves even just a bit(if it's loose for some reason) it will not allow the car to start. You can check there since it sounds like you've exhausted some of the obvious things to check.

 

The results are in........ and..........

Its the flimsy little control wire on the top of the starter solenoid!!! For anyone with the same problem check this wire...... I tried squeezing the little clip on with my fingers as hard as i could, got in the car, and the car fired right up! So I drove it to my buddy's garage, and got underneath it, snipped the wire and spliced it with a new wire and connecter and taped it back up. The car fired up again! So then I zip tied the wire out of the way of the exhaust so it didn't melt, got in and IT DIDN'T START!!! So I got underneath it, and checked everything out and the little control wire I replaced was loose from when I zip tied it! So i clipped it back on tight and it works like a charm.

Whoever has this same issue with intermittent starting, try this wire!!!!

Thanks for everybody's input! You all helped me get my baby running solid again!

+1 everybody

 

FWIW, the solenoid wire's plastic connector housing can be popped open to allow cleaning of the connector (look closely). I've cleaned mine and tweaked the tension of the contact to ensure a good connection.

 

Cool! At least you figured it out before really wasting money and time on something it wasn't. That little wire sucks haha.