Intermittent starting issues (driving me crazy)
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From: The North West
Intermittent starting issues (driving me crazy)
Car is a 06 MR with around 44k miles on it, this thing is my baby and it is well taken care of.
Lately, I’m having occasional starting issues. About 80% of the time, it starts right up.
But it’s getting pretty hot here right now, and I’m noticing the issue getting worse....
Basically I’ll turn the key forward to start it, and I will hear a click of some sort but no crank. I will try repeatedly to start but it just won’t. Then out of the blue, it will finally crank and start right up.
Today, I took it to the tire shop. It started right up without any issues. However, when they went to start the car to move it into the bay, it would not crank over. Basically acted like a dead battery, but all my accessories turned on, etc.
We eventually had to push start it, as jump starting does not work when it does this.
I’m super frustrated and just want this thing to start when it’s supposed to.
I have replaced the following:
battery
ignition switch
spark plugs
and I checked all the connections too
Could this be a starter issue? My starter doesn’t make any weird noises.
Lately, I’m having occasional starting issues. About 80% of the time, it starts right up.
But it’s getting pretty hot here right now, and I’m noticing the issue getting worse....
Basically I’ll turn the key forward to start it, and I will hear a click of some sort but no crank. I will try repeatedly to start but it just won’t. Then out of the blue, it will finally crank and start right up.
Today, I took it to the tire shop. It started right up without any issues. However, when they went to start the car to move it into the bay, it would not crank over. Basically acted like a dead battery, but all my accessories turned on, etc.
We eventually had to push start it, as jump starting does not work when it does this.
I’m super frustrated and just want this thing to start when it’s supposed to.
I have replaced the following:
battery
ignition switch
spark plugs
and I checked all the connections too
Could this be a starter issue? My starter doesn’t make any weird noises.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 50
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From: The North West
Since my issue yesterday, I’ve started the car more than a dozen times and it has started every time with no issue. So it’s fairly unpredictable.
Did you secure the ignition switch to the steering column with zip ties, test the starter relay, disable the clutch switch, use a jumper cable from pin 5 to the battery while the issue is happening, check the connections on the starter for corrosion? I replaced a bunch of parts (starter included) and the problem wasn't fixed until I installed that heavy duty relay mentioned in that thread.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 50
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From: The North West
Did you secure the ignition switch to the steering column with zip ties, test the starter relay, disable the clutch switch, use a jumper cable from pin 5 to the battery while the issue is happening, check the connections on the starter for corrosion? I replaced a bunch of parts (starter included) and the problem wasn't fixed until I installed that heavy duty relay mentioned in that thread.
As far as the electrical stuff, that’s beyond me. I saw in that thread they wired in a relay but honestly that’s not something I’m familiar with.
Its weird because after I replaced the ignition switch, I didn’t have the issue for weeks.
But now it’s back and happening more frequently with the increase in temperature.
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Ignition switch is secured w/ zip ties. Clutch switch has been disabled for years. No visible corrosion anywhere, the car isn’t driven in the winter or rain.
As far as the electrical stuff, that’s beyond me. I saw in that thread they wired in a relay but honestly that’s not something I’m familiar with.
Its weird because after I replaced the ignition switch, I didn’t have the issue for weeks.
But now it’s back and happening more frequently with the increase in temperature.
I have the same issue with my evo replaced battery, starter, ignition switch and alternator. I still sometimes just get a click when i try to start my car. Most of the time I'll have to put the car in gear and rock it back and forth then it will start. Im going to try to replace the starter relay and see if that helps.
How did the wiring look? On my 03, the power lead was frayed. It was hanging on by like 4 strands out of however many there are, so I had intermittent starting too. It might start if you bumped it a certain way, like an old TV. I re-crimped it and no issues since.
So check the condition if you still experience issues.
So check the condition if you still experience issues.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 50
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From: The North West
How did the wiring look? On my 03, the power lead was frayed. It was hanging on by like 4 strands out of however many there are, so I had intermittent starting too. It might start if you bumped it a certain way, like an old TV. I re-crimped it and no issues since.
So check the condition if you still experience issues.
So check the condition if you still experience issues.
I don’t know, maybe the old starter had something going on internally, I’m not sure.
Just glad it’s starting all the time now. lol
I had the same issue, I replaced the starter & it started with no problem but the problem is back. I'm going to try the starter relay & starter switch
Last edited by EVO196; Aug 9, 2018 at 09:42 AM.
I have the error code "Incorrect Immobilizer Key" now that you mention it okevolutionVIII... I am having the same issues, by the way and replaced battery today and issue was still there.