Very intermittant start problems-90Q

[BradM]

I have a 90Q with about 215k miles. Every so often (about once a week) when I put the key in the ignition and turn, nothing happens.? I'll explain further: I insert key, steering wheel does its' thing. All dash prestart lights normal. Partial turn of key- hear fuel pump priming. As I continue turning key to start nothing happens. No starter engagement. Usually when this happens it "fixes" itself after about 30 minutes. No engine lights or messages. This problem occurs about every 20 starts. All other starts are NORMAL. Car runs excellent otherwise.From working on my car I know:- Fuses are OK- MAF connection OK - Battery has full charge, wires solidly connected- Starter OK, haven't checked wires to starter- Relay in trunk seems OK.

Any advice? The only thing I can think is that the starter hot or ground wire is loose or partially broken.

Brad :help

PS - Drove through Atlanta last week (I-85-loop-I-20)while moving to Houston. Saw a few old Q's. Traffic wasn't fun as it was Friday 4 PM and I had a 26' UHAUL pulling a car carrier with the Q on it. Shame I didn't have time to visit T-3.

[forecast]

Sounds like a starter electrical issue.

The starter gets activated by the bendix, the signal for which goes through a netutral/park sensor on the side of the transmission. That's a high current switch and could be bad. Try jiggling the the gear selector move it to N and try starting.

[Mayhem_J30]

Sounds like a starter electrical issue.

The starter gets activated by the bendix, the signal for which goes through a netutral/park sensor on the side of the transmission. That's a high current switch and could be bad. Try jiggling the the gear selector move it to N and try starting.

Ditto. Mine did that for a while, then I just touch the A/T shifter then it'll work. Park sensor must have been having a brain fart.

[Q45tech]

Starter relay old and worn out [common] blue one to left rear of ABS pump! Or the lock key switch on column. Replace the relay first.

[Q451990]

The next time the symptom occurs, have someone hold the key in the "start" position and then tap on the blue relay Q45Tech mentions - if it starts when you tap it, that's probably your problem!

Heath

[BradM]

Thanks for the replies guys. When it has happened I have been by myself. I do check/tap all the fuses/relays including the blue starter relay Q45tech mentioned. I will replace that though. Regarding what forecast said about jiggling the gear selector, tried that. No effect.

As I said earlier, this problem isn't frequent (yet) although it recently stranded me for about an hour. As soon as I called a tow-truck it fixed itself.

Will keep you guys posted.

Brad

PS - I'm new to the West Houston (Katy) area. Any good mechanics in the area? I know there's a dealership on I-10 and another on 59. TexasOil??

[BradM]

I took Q45tech's advice and replaced the blue starter relay about 2 and 1/2 weeks ago and everything seemed fine until yesterday when the same problem happened again. It happened to my wife but magically fixed itself after about 30 min. Also seem to recall this has only happened after the car had been started and turned off a few times (ie-like the 4th start when running local errands). I have only driven the car infrequently recently but I know it went through quite a few starts before this showed up again.

A little bit of history - the car had the lock/key replaced on the column AT LEAST 6 yrs ago. I don't know why (previous owner). Q45tech mentioned this. Could this have failed? I hate to ask what the "next step" is. I looked at forecast and Mayhem suggestions again but don't think that is the problem.

I got a feeling it's going to the dealer soon. Q45tech if you recommend another lock/key replacement what do you think the time is for that? Thanks.

BradM(Houston/Katy)

[Q45tech]

215k and 13+ years old, could be anything [after the blue relay replacement].

Just going to have to rig up a light bulb after the key switch and make sure the light is on when the car doesn't start! One by one elimination.Step by step by stepInhibitor switch on transmission, key lock switch, alarm relay, starter itself.....

[BradM]

Q45tech,Thank you sir for the quick reply. I was hoping it could be more definitive. The strange part is the car is fine 95% of the time. Acts up at the worst time (never at home). I guess it is what I should expect from a 1990 car. Regarding the inhibitor switch on the transmission: Can I rule that out if I replaced the transmission 15 months ago with an Infiniti reman?

Brad

[Q451990]

I think the inhibitor switch is in the shifter mechanism in the center console, so it wouldn't be replaced with the transmission.

Heath

[forecast]

the inhibitor switch is bolted on the side of the transmission.

Don't rule it out.

It was my first guess as to what was defective, but I've been wrong before...