'94 Q45 - suddenly won't start

[stellatariche]

Hi all,

Was driving around yesterday, stopped for 10 minutes. When I returned to parking lot, car won't start.

Details:

1994 Q45, 150k miles.

No previous starting problems.

Symptoms: acts just like the when you try to start the car in neutral, and it won't engage the starter (neutral safety switch behavior). Ran the shifter through all the positions a few times, just in case. Nope.

With key in the on position and all the normal lights are on; good battery, lots of juice. Note: when I turn the key to the "start" position, I hear a light click from the fuse box, like a small relay just picked; the "security" light also lights when I turn the key - but - no starter interaction.

I have a duplicate 1994 Q45 in the driveway to test out any theories....

Any ideas before Circuit City gets mad and tells me to move it?

Thanks

- John

[fourdrinie]

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/Ch...shtml

a good tutorial!

[96Qowner]

My guess is starter and or solenoid. Try giving the starter a whack or two with something, to free it.

[stellatariche]

Problem solved with percussive maintenance....

hadn't driven the car in a month and the solenoid was sticking.

Starts nice now. Thanks all

- John

[Q451990]

Problem solved with percussive maintenance

That's the best way I've ever heard "whacked the hell out of it" said!

A term fit for the flagship!

Heath

[3Q Jay]

i'd still change the blue relay unless you KNOW that that has been done within the last 2 years.

[stellatariche]

hmmm. Blue relay.

After looking, I found out that there are quite a few blue relays in this car (fuse panel, under the hood).

Might you know which one is correct Blue relay?

Thanks.

- John

[maxnix]

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/

[mightydragon2000]

Same car, same problem. Gonna try the percussive method described. If it works I'll post about it. If not, I'll need some more advice.

[Kiven422]

Since its fixed... thats good. But I am almost sure it was the starter.

To start the vehicle... go under the right wheel and give a light whack at the starter (connected to the transmission). It has cranked EVERY time I have done that.

Actually if you hammer the engine anywhere hard enough... it may start.

[mightydragon2000]

Lucky me, just had to start her in neutral.

[maxnix]

Actually if you hammer the engine anywhere hard enough... it may start.

I wouldn't hammer an all alloy engine anywhere except the block and then only with a mallet.

Sounds like the last guy has a shift sensor switch problem.

[stupidwhiteguy12]

would that be driver or passenger side?

lol, i know my left from right, i just don't know if you mean facing the car, or from the actual car's perspective.

[maxnix]

As you are sitting in the car.

[ursonozee]

are you puting plus in it like u r to or regular? (gas)

[qship96]

are you puting plus in it like u r to or regular? (gas)

English, not text babble, please.

[maxnix]

are you puting plus in it like u r to or regular? (gas)

Neither regular nor "plus" is acceptable.

Only Tier 1 premium from a new station.