Help! Sr won't start, possible electrical problem?

[TheBigS_42]

In the past few months I swapped a red top into my 93 hatch and have had it working for quite a few weeks now (refer to link in my signature for more info). Other than a few little minor odds and ends, everything was fully operational. However, I had the car out last nite and it was running fine and brought it home and shut it off.

This morning I went to fire it up and all I got was a click from what sounded like the starter and dash lights as usual. Now I checked and the battery is not dead and I can also tell this because the fuel pump will cut in and the stereo powers up fine. Now the starter will only click every few minutes or so when I turn the key, if i turn it again after it will only click inside the dash, the relay switches or whatnot. Now the reason I am temped to think its an electrical problem is the tach needle jumps around back and forth and is triggered by movement of the car ( ie rocking it slightly) I tried tapping around a few places and uncovered the ecu to make sure it was plugged in all the way and it is.

I think thats all I can think of for now. All help would be appreciated!

[snake240]

the battery could still have enough juice to power small things. put a volt meter on it and see what its sitting at. then turn the key with the meter still on there. if it drops drastically its dead.

[TheBigS_42]

So I put a meter on the battery and it read a constant 12.4 v before trying to start it. When I turn and hold the key it reads almost 12 v so I assume this isnt the problem. Also worth mentioning is that I push started the car and it seemed to run normally around the block although the power cut out for a tiny split second in the higher revs once, not sure if thats related or not though. Only happened once.

[Justin35ll]

Make sure the connections are good on the starter

[S14-NEO]

check the bump stop on your clutch interlock switch on you clutch pedal..it could have fallen off or came apart.

[snake240]

def check the bump stop on the pedal. 90% chance its fallen apart. if so just unplug the switch the stop controls, which means no more pushing clutch to start. also make sure all your grounds are good. another test where the meter is handy.

[TheBigS_42]

Thanks guys, ive been busy with work but I will check those things tomorrow when I get a chance and get back to you with the results.

[homeslicej2]

Yes, check bump stop and grounds. I had both happen to me. My bump stop broke apart and about half of it stayed on the clutch pedal, sometimes it would hit the switch, sometimes, it slide beside it and it wouldn't start. Also, my battery ground came loose one time, tightened it up and voila. Check your starter connection and relays if that doesn't work.

[TheBigS_42]

So I checked the bump stop and it seems to be in tact. However, now that I think about it ever since I got the car I've never had to push the clutch in to start the car in neutral anyhow.

I checked a few grounds, Ill keep checking more to see if that helps, the starter connections seem to be ok. How does a person check the relays exactly?

[TheBigS_42]

Nevermind the last question, after checking a bunch of ground connections and fidling around with with a few odds and ends the starter decided to spring back to life and all is back to normal again. Thanks for everyone who provided suggestions!