Starter wont turn

[leefitz]

hey, went to take a run into town in the fd to get some parts for the drift car but it wont start. it done everything the same as normal until i tuned the key, then there was nothing. i assumed (but found it strange) that the battery was dead as the car has sat still for 4 weeks so i charged the battery and tried again with no luck. i took a quick look at the starter there and i have 12v at the main live terminal on it and its got a working neutral plug to (asuming all that is as it should be). so the powers getting to the starter so out with the rubber mallet, hoping its jammed but still no luck. iv never had any problems with the started before. the cars a 98 rs import with only 28k miles on her so i find it hard to beleve its the starter. the engine is standard apart from a knight sports ecu that was on the car when i got it 9months ago. any help would be great
 o i also checked the switch on the clutch pedal and its intact and seems to be workin (on a search this was a problem that was pointed out) so any ideas folks??  
cheers
  lee

[HaywardRotary]

The small wire to the solenoid may have come off?
Regards
Carl

[leefitz]

That\'s the spade connection just below the live connection on the starter? If so it was connected with no corrrosion :s. Cheers

[TRex]

Have you tried the \'bridge\' method using a screwdriver or other metal object and bridge the 2 starter poles for a direct contact and see what happens..

 Failing that I have a very good Starter motor sat here which £25 could replace...

[PDale]

Do you have a spare battery you could try? Sometimes you can charge a battery and it will show 12V but can still be goosed. Only a load test on the battery would confirm its ok. Worth trying the battery first IMO.

[rx-dave]

I have the same problem with one of my RX7\'s, changed the starter (as per usual i bought not 1 but 2 :rolleyes:) but still nothing. I then tested the \'faulty\' starter  which turned out to be a good un. I tried a jump lead directly from the battery and the starter spun so i guess i have a break between the ignition and the starter somewhere??
Dave.

[leefitz]

Cheers lads, with the drifting at the weekend, I didn\'t even get a chance to look at her and now I\'m back in England with the car in Ireland so it\'s 2 weeks before I get a look. I\'m hoping it\'s just the battery.  

Dave, let me know if ya find a fault on yours incase mine has the same fault. Cheers man

[jon103a]

hi dave (and leefitz) obvious question is do you have any aftermarket security/ immobilizers, and did you jump the starter at the main terminal or the small solinoid wire. jon.

[leefitz]

i called the company that fitted my alarm today and they explained that it it was it then the ignition wouldnt even light up as it cuts all power to it so i can near rule that out :S
jon you were saying about the main termanil live and the small solinoid wire, i take it the small one only turns live with the ignition turned fully round? if thats the case i guess i could prove that the switched power is getting to the starter when the keys turned and proving its the starter at fault?

[jon103a]

hi, the better (thatcham/ insurance approved) alarms have two immobilizer circuits one ignition as they said and one for the starter- that said they should know what theve fitted, if you want to send an email to me i could double check for you
jon103a@googlemail.com
(obviously dont post your alarm details here).
yes the small wire is live whilst cranking only. the big wire is obviously the main feed and should have 12v to it all the time- also worth checking that whilst trying to crank to ensure good connections there. good luck, jon

[leefitz]

Cheers jon,
well I got her going, it wasn\'t the alarm or starter but the 120A main fuse :S I can\'t believe it.  What on earth would blow that? I know the rest if them look a bit corroded inside but I\'m gobsmacked. Any ideas on what would cause it to go?

[rx-dave]

hi dave (and leefitz) obvious question is do you have any aftermarket security/ immobilizers, and did you jump the starter at the main terminal or the small solinoid wire. jon.

To be honest Jon i can\'t remember, i\'m going to have another look tomorrow :driving
Lee, the 120amp fuse blew on one of mine due to a bad earth, may be worth a look.
Dave.

[leefitz]

Cheers man, not home from work for near 4 weeks now so I will have to lap up the life in Bournemouth until i\'m back and see what i can do