Weird Problem '91Q

[Pat S]

1. Sometimes A/C does not operate when car is first started.

2. When driving while A/C is not working starter will try to engage on it's own. This will cause A/C to begin working!

3. This only happens when my wife is driving (it is her car).

4. I happened to be home one day when she drove up and heard sound of starter trying to engage while engine is running. She says "There is that noise i have been telling you about!"

5. A/C display needs to be repaired so I may not be able to run self diagnostics. A/C works great otherwise.

6. Should I bring to dealer for Consult hook up and error codes reading?

Pat S.

[forecast]

wow!

I think you've got a short in the steering lockset area. If not there, than somewhere wires have melted and are shorting. I don't envy the guy that will track this down.

Very important question - does the starter ever engage while she's in drive or reverse?

Very unlikely this is a problem that will produce an error code.

[Pat S]

Always happens when car is in D or 3.

Pat

[forecast]

In that case, definately a short - melted wires I'd guess. Get it looked at right away.

There is a lockout system that should prevent the starter solenoid from engaging is if the car is in any drive range or reverse. If this is being bypassed, the short is probably under the hood somewhere.

The starter can be damaged or damage the flywheel by this, making for a very expensive repair.

[DAEDALUS]

With a strong emphasis on *VERY*.

[Jberger]

Similar issue myself, it was lockset related, the key sometimes "hung" right before returning to the RUN position. No AC was the tip off, but my starter would engage if I hit a bump with the key "hung".

I cleaned my lockset with gun cleaner then used graphite lube to keep it moving.

Good Luck.

[Pat S]

You know, I was driving the car tonight and I tried an experiment. While in D w/engine running, I turn the key to the start position. The A/C goes off and the starter does not engage. So, I think that there is a lock out relationship between the A/C, and starter in wiich the A/C is disabled when starting to lessen the load on the starter.

So, I am thinking that the problem may be in the ignition switch assy. , but necessarly the lock. I plan to call Scottsdale to check on availability of the switch.

Thanks for the help Jberger!

[Q451990]

It's available, but somewhat costly... I'm thinking in the $300 range for a complete lockset. Probably worth a complete diagnosis before throwing parts that are that expensive at it...

Heath

[forecast]

I need to disagree, it is very likely NOT the lockset.

The inhibotor switch (bolted on the side of the transmission) controls all current flowing from the lockset to the starter solenoid. If the car is in D (or 3,2,1) or R, there is no electrical connection between the lockset and the starter.

Since your problem occurs in drive, there is short someplace else.

Dan

[Jberger]

Well, I'd always vote for more diagnosis, but in my 90 Q I have had the same issue crop up and it's always been the position of the keyswitch, even in D.

So it is a possiblity given my experiance.