Hello all,

Appears my Evo's developed some sort of electrical gremlin in the ignition. It started right after I swapped in a Walbro 255, though not sure it's related (I can unplug the pump and it doesn't change anything). When I come back to the car after it's been sitting, all power (lights, gauge cluster, etc.) will initially be on, but once I go to crank, there's an audible "click" and all power dies. If I return the key to the starting position, the lights/all power will repeatedly slowly start to come on and then immediately die, effectively making the gauge cluster, turbo timer display, etc. flicker on-off. Last time I drove the car, it suddenly returned to normal after about 15 minutes of this, started right up, and was no problem throughout a day of driving with multiple stops. I went back to the car yesterday and it's not budging now.

Seems there must be a short or something in the ignition that is cutting all power once the electrical draw gets too high (e.g., when the key goes to On). Any advice on what the right diagnosis path is to figure out precisely what's going on? Thanks in advance!

 

Sounds like a low voltage condition. Have battery tested. Can also be a sticking staryer solenoid

 

Our cars typically have switch problems where the cylinder will rotate in the column, a bit. There is a thread on it here, along with a fix.
Not sure some of those symptoms are related, but worth a check.

 

Bad connection at the battery.
Turn on the headlights, nothing else.
One of the battery terminals might get hot?

 

Thanks for the responses, guys. The battery is only a year old and hasn't seen much use so I'd be surprised if it's gone bad already but it's certainly possible. I can test it.

Below are links to a couple videos demonstrating what's happening. The clicks you hear are me moving the key back and forth from Off to crank position. Note how the door chime repeatedly gets "interrupted" and then restarts as it repeatedly loses power, even with the key in the ignition but in the Off position. That makes me think it isn't related to the starter...

Welcome any thoughts!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xuh9c3yodq...%2055.mov?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/01xanxjzqp...%2034.mov?dl=0

 

Have you done the "hammering on the starter" thing?

 

Not yet, but given the car started up previously after initially exhibiting this issue, I have to imagine it would if I went that route too.

Ignition switch seems a potential culprit - anyone have experience with these going bad and showing similar symptoms?

 

Yes, there are tons of threads on that topic. Like I said, it's very common.
it may not be your problem, but definitely a possibility and worth looking into. Good luck, brotha!
:cheers:

 

Really appreciate it mate! Went back and found Ted B's excellent thread you referenced to educate myself on the issue. Countless success stories in there give me some hope, will give it a go tomorrow and report back

 

Hopefully that helps. Again, good luck! Let us know how it goes!