I need help with starting problem. long

[kclem69]

In the past couple of months I've had an issue with my car not wanting to start. It's a 1990 with an S13 blacktop SR20DET installed. The problem is that sometimes when I turn the key nothing happens. Other times it will start fine. I've noticed that if I wait for the fuel pump to finish priming before I turn the key to start, the car will start better, but sometimes it still doesn't. I thought the problem was the small battery I was using in the stock location, so I bought an Optima red top and relocated it into the hatch with 1 gauge wire and high end connecting components. This cost me a lot of money but didn't solve the problem. Then I took out the starter and had it rebuilt. They only charged me $35 which I thought was really cheap for a rebuild. But this didn't solve the problem. I don't get a clicking sound when I turn the key, but if someone gives me a jump or if I use the portable jumper battery that I bought for this problem, the car usually starts right up. It's just a hassle to use the portable or have someone jump me. It seems like the starter isn't getting enough current for some reason, but I'm out of ideas. Please give me some suggestions on how to fix this problem.

Thanks,

kclem69

[stiergott]

i had a similar problem that turned out to be a ground. the ground i was missing was on the passenger side shock tower, right there where the ac line bolts to the shock tower. do you have this ground? the other thing i would check would be the grouns that runs from the intake manifold to the bottom of the battery tray. if this doesnt work try running a heavy gauge, 12+, from one of the bolts that holds the starter to the bellhousing to the frame some place. sounds like a ground though so check those first.

[kclem69]

It was a ground wire problem. I installed a new ground wire kit and it works fine now. The new ground wire kit also seems to have fixed my tach gauge which was bouncing a little before.

Thanks for the help,

kclem69