No start for this 96 7g

[4-G-rim]

Here is a little bit of what happened prior to it not even trying to turn over.

I got -G-rim running again and started to drive the car again. After replacing a blown turbo (after sitting soo long, dried seals) the car ran perfectly fine for 2 days. THe car started to buck violently, die on idle, and take several seconds to respond to throttle on intial acceleration and while driving in general. Then on the 2nd day it ran PEFECT, no symptoms I experienced the previous day happened..I mean not one issue at all. The next day it got worse to where on idle just hitting the accleration the car would hesitate to the throttle and seemed to misfire and the symptoms 2 days prior reappeared. So I went ahead with my diagnosing:

-Checked for spark (Checked good)
-Checked for fuel (Checked good)
-Replaced spark plugs
-Replaced fuel filter
-Syphened the bad 1 year old gas for new fresh fuel
-Added Techron and Sta-Bil additives to fuel tank
-Checked TPS (Checked good)
-Applied Throttle body cleaner
-Checked for boost leaks
-Checked MAF (Checked good and even replaced with a working new MAF)

After that the car ran somewhat better but was still getting the same symptoms randomly. Well the next morning which was last Thursday i went to start the car to warm it up before work it wouldn't start. The starter didn't even try to turn over the car but I was getting power to everything else. I hitched a ride to work and when I came home with a rental car I thought my brand new Odyssey battery was bad. I tried to jump start the car, but the same thing happened...NOTHING. So I took the battery to a nearby autozone to check it and it was a good battery, still brand new so that eliminated the battery. I started to check the starter for a good ground connection and see if anything had loosen up and it checked out good. This is a brand new starter also...gave it a few taps and tried to start the car but same thing, nothing. I have a spare starter off my 95 Galant and had it checked to see if it was still good and checked out to be a healthy starter so I proceeded to install it. Tried to crank the car and NOTHING again.

Each time I try to crank the car I just hear this "click" noise that doesn't sound like a starter, but I have heard the noise many times before just putting the key on the "ACC" position or when I did have a bad battery or starter I would hear that noise too.

I checked all my fuses and replaced any relays with my many spare relays that I pull off 7g's in the junkyard and still nothing happens.

Now I am thinking maybe its a igniter problem or I am not checking the right place where the starter relay is. Maybe this problem is related directly to my previous issues with the car bucking, hesitating, etc etc. Does anyone know where else I should start looking at to diag this?

[RedGalant2k1]

Did you check the timing?

[4-G-rim]

I checked timing...its perfect. The probem seems to be no power is getting to the starter.

[RedGalant2k1]

Could possibly be the ignition switch.

[tom04841]

with the key in the "ON" position, try to jump power from the 12v wire at the starter to the signal wire (wire that gets 12v when you turn key to start) If it turns over, your problem is either in the ignition switch or the starter relay. If it is the ignition switch, that could also explain the other symptoms you are having.

[4-G-rim]

Thanks for the advice. Quick question...it may sound stupid, but where is the starter relay exactly? I couldn't find a specific relay for the starter in the junction box in the engine bay.

[RedGalant2k1]

Thanks for the advice. Quick question...it may sound stupid, but where is the starter relay exactly? I couldn't find a specific relay for the starter in the junction box in the engine bay.

Under the dash, or in the engine bay.

[DOHCstunr]

Thanks for the advice. Quick question...it may sound stupid, but where is the starter relay exactly? I couldn't find a specific relay for the starter in the junction box in the engine bay.

the starter relay is under the passenger side fender.
have to take the fender off to get to it, or have very small hands.

[seth98esT]

Its bolted to the inner passenger fenderwell. I didnt have to take my fender off, just used a 10mm socket and extension. Test the starter first like tom said. Also check your grounds, one on the trans, intake mani, alternator, and passenger fender area.

[4-G-rim]

If it is the ignition switch, that could also explain the other symptoms you are having.

Just for knowledge sake how would a bad or failing ignition switch be the cause of all the bucking, delayed throttle response, and very rough and low idle?

[seth98esT]

None. Ignition switch is only used to give signal to the starter. If the switch is bad, then when you turn the key, nothing would happen. Check your compression man.

Try starting the car, unplug the IAC, see if anything changes. Make sure you dont have any vacuum leaks as well.

Ive had my fair share of starter problems. I recently had an ignition switch go bad. Would sometimes take a hundred trys of turning the key before it would start. Half of the time the starter wouldnt even click when the key was turned. Combination of bad switch and starter. If you turn the key and the starter clicks, then its a possible bad ground, bad starter, bad ignition switch, or bad starter relay, or any combination of the above.

Starter problems are a pain. First check the grounds, then test the starter, then possibly replace the ignition switch and starter relay.

Also, your car has been sitting a long time, no? Maybe the gas you had in the tank went bad? Did you use any fuel stabilizers? Would cause some of the issues.

[Edit]
Re-read your fist post lol. Replace the fuel filter? Possibly full of old gunk gas.

When you tested for boost leaks, did you use an air compressor and boost leak tester? Tested to what PSI? Blown off I/C piping would cause similar performance, but Im sure you checked that.

Keep us updated. Any Check Engine lights? (Not that you could tell us what they mean ... Stupid 96s! lol sorry).

[4-G-rim]

Thanks Seth for the advice, I really appreciate it. I never had a issue like this before..so kinda ignorant diagnosing this problem.

I will try to test if power is getting to the starter and go on with the steps suggested to diag this problem. My fiance has ALOT of doctor and specialist appointments this week, so I will see if I can get some diag time on the galant.

Yeah..its been sitting for a little over a year. I removed all the old fuel and put new fuel along with Techron and Sta-Bil additives and replaced the fuel filter too.

I guess the car is throwing a tantrum because I garaged it for a year...bad thing is I need this thing running.

[phizzalot]

I have had this problem for the longest as well.... I go to the junkyard and pick up a few ignition switches whenever I get a chance and switch mine out when it gets real bad...Didn't know about the starter relay in the fender so I'll take a look at that too...

I just keep jiggling/turning the key and curse until it starts up :)