Hello, I have a 2003 OZ Rally
I had just bought the car and replaced a the clutch, turned the flywheel, etc.

After getting the car on the road I noticed there is an intermittent problem
with the car starting. Sometimes it takes a few turns of the key for the car
to finally turn over. It leaves me to believe it is an eletrical issue because when the key is turned, the lights/dash lights come on, however when turned to the start position it doesn't even make a click... takes a couple turns, then starts right up. However other times it starts first turn of the key.

I read there is a clutch adjustment sensor near the pedal.
After changing the clutch and the battery being out for about a month,
could this possibly be the problem or are there other issues with these cars I
should know about?

Any help is most welcome!

 

ITs more likely that either your battery contacts need cleaned, your grounds need cleaned, or your contacts inside your starter have worn down and are starting to lose connection.

 

Yeah I was thinking it could be a connection problem with the starter as well.
I'll check all the connections for wear. Was just odd there wasn't even a clicking noise when the key was turned, then other times it started immediately.

Thanks!

 

check your fuses?

 

I didn't see any erosion or wear on the connectors, the thing is you would normally hear a click when you go to start it...all the lights/gauges always come on before I go to start the car. If it was a blown fuse causing it not to start when the key is turned, I think that would create a sonsitent problem. Instead it's more of an intermittent problem...some times one turn of the key and it starts immediately, and sometimes 5 turns with no connection at all. There is no engine light on so I can't even run a diagnostics check on it.

Thanks though guys, I'm sure I'll figure it out. I'll do a check on all possible sensors, those things go in and out from time to time.

 

Still thinking you need to pull out your starter and check its contacts inside. A new set of contacts for the starter should only run like $5-$7 I've changed them on numerous vehicles with the same symptoms and fixes it.

 

Yeah I'll be pulling out the starter and taking a look inside for sure along with a few other things. I was told there are common problems with the Crankshaft positioning sensors, however that is a bit more work to get to so I'll narrow things down first.

Thank you

 

Crank sensor would not cause this issue. The crank sensor would cause your car not to fire up but it would not affect the engine cranking.

 

Ahhhh okay, that's what I thought however I had others saying several times its more likely the crank sensor, although I mentioned not turning over at all was the issue.
I'm just getting into fixing cars myself so every bit of knowledge helps. I'll post when I get everything sorted out.

Thanks again!

 

yeah, 03 is right, if the starter motor ain't spinning, something is wrong in the starter motor circuit...luckily that's one of the simpler circuits in the harness.

 

it definitely isn't the crank sensor. that would just do the same thing as disconnecting your coil packs and trying to start it. make sure your connections to the transmission are connected the entire way and the clutch safety switch is plugged in. chances are its a weak battery or loose connection if it isn't even trying to crank. make sure the wire going to your solenoid on the starter is tight and non corroded. and you have a tight ground. have you had a dead battery lately? when was the last time it was changed? sometimes a battery can have power and you would have lights and everything, but if it's old and been drained a few times it just doesn't have the amps to engage the solenoid. but you can also try tapping on the starter while trying to turn it over see if it will engage. but i highly doubt the starter is bad, usually you would hear it spin and spin and not even try to crank the motor.

 

Well the problem is intermittent..It definitely isn't the battery, when the key is turned to the on position everything lights up and checks okay. However only sometimes when going to start it, nothing happeneds at all! No click sound, and takes a few turns for it to finally engage. Other times it will start perfect first turn of the key. So when it starts it has no problem with a lack of power from battery or cranking over (checked the battery, amperage is good). There are no long cranks or anything, simply starts right up when it engages.

This is why it leads me to believe that it may be that clutch pedal sensor, and or the worn connection in the Starter, or possibly bad connection somewhere in the ignition/steering column.

 

alright try this out. i just tried it and it works on my lancer. go under your dash and behind the clutch. locate the sensor switch. on the back of the switch there is a plug. unplug it. this will allow you to start the car when the clutch isn't pressed in. if it won't start or still has the same problem you can eliminate that as the issue. but i have had a similar problem in a civic i used to have. where sometimes you turn the key and the tumbler system wouldn't engage the starter because the contacts were worn out in the ignition. you should keep your car key on it's own key ring. if you have a lot of keys like janitor style, it can damage your ignition over time from the weight

 

Okay thank you, hopefully that helps pinpoint the problem.
I don't have much on my key chain, however that's a really good point.
Never thought of a heavy keychain actually damaging the ignition like that.

 

Just fyi it takes ALOT more power to crank your engine then it does to turn on a dash light . Although I am pretty convinced it's the contacts in your starter or starter itself.