Question: When I try to start my engine, nothing happens.
It won't even crank. All I hear is dead silence. What's wrong?
Answer:Assuming you're not deaf, you have a starting
problem that may be due to a dead battery, a loose or corroded
battery cable, a bad ignition switch, an open neutral safety switch,
or a bad solenoid or starter.
Total silence usually means no juice is getting through to
the starter. So start with the battery. Is is dead or does it
still have a full charge? Are the battery cables loose, corroded
or damaged? Be sure to check both ends of the cables, including
the starter and ground connections.
If you don't find any obvious problems with the battery or
its connections, voltage may not be passing through the ignition
switch circuit to the starter solenoid. A voltmeter or 12 volt
test light can help you see if voltage is reaching the solenoid
when you turn the key.
If voltage isn't getting through, try jiggling the gear shift
lever. Some vehicles may also have a safety switch on the clutch
pedal that prevents the engine from starting unless the clutch
pedal is depressed. Use your voltmeter or test light to isolate
the component that needs to be replaced or adjusted. Sometimes
the transmission or clutch linkage may need to be adjusted for
the safety switch to work properly.
If voltage is getting through the ignition switch circuit,
but the starter isn't doing anything, check the wiring connections
on the solenoid and starter. Are they clean and tight? Try bypassing
the solenoid. Refer to a shop manual for the proper terminals,
then jump the one that routes voltage directly to the starter
(usually B+ or BAT). If the starter spins, the problem is a bad
solenoid (or poorly grounded solenoid). If nothing happens, the
problem is a bad starter that needs to be replaced.
