i think octavious was right; if the startes fine, then check the solenoid its possible only half is getting power, also check ur fuses/wires slightest disconnection can mess things up enough to be a pain.

 

that is pretty funny

 

yea its funny then u find out why it didnt start and your like wtf, hahah had myself plenty of those moments

 

I would like to thank all of you for your help problem solved I really cant tell you what i did but its fixed must have been a wire i cleaned all wires have not had a problem in a couple of days so i am saying problem solved thank you again for all your help have a good day

 

I just wanted to post my experiences over the past few days with a similar problem as well as the fix.

Last week the car wouldn't turn over when the key was turned. It sat for a while and then I got back in and tried the clutch to the floor and a few things and then it started. I thought it was the clutch switch so I made a mental note to check it.

Two days ago the same thing happened to my daughter and when I brought my meter over there to check it out, the clutch switch was good (BTW- Haynes manual says it's Normally closed going to open, but it's normally open, going to a close when the pedal is down, FYI).

Anyway I tried cleaning up all of the battery and ground connections and still nothing. Battery metered 12.5 volts and no drop when I tried to start it. At first I thought there was no click from the starter either but a guy that was with me said he heard it (also the odometer would dim when the key was turned to start, which I took as a slight voltage drain, meaning it was attempting to start).

So we tried to pop start it and it started and ran fine. When we got it home I put a meter on the terminals. 12 volts on the main power terminal and 11.9 on the 'S' terminal when the key was turned. This confirmed a bad solenoid or starter so I replaced it.

That was the problem and the solution, it starts and runs great now.

Oh, almost forgot: 2001 SL1 with over 200k miles on it. Old starter looked OK in general but it must be just worn out.

 

thank you i will try that still having problems how much did you pay for your starter?

 

I want to say about 140 for a rebuilt including the core, then I got $32 back when I returned my old one.

Check Autozone online and you can find prices.

 

All things considered, a 10 year old car with starting problems, that is you turn the key to start and the engine does not turn over because the started does not run, is probably the starter. Assuming a visual instpection of the big wires going to the battery and the starter are o.k. as is the battery as best as be determined I have never seen a starter that did not look o.k. when it was bad. Some of them are a pain to remove on front wheel drive cars and maybe a bit pricey but if you are not a very good trouble shooter, plan on replacing one when the symptom of this car can be described the way it is described.

 

thank you all i will replace starter and post thanks again