Hello guys and gals

Did lots of searching today regarding no starts, no cranks with my symptoms and nothing matched. Even looked into ignition issues and threads on the starter but got mixed answers regarding the starter wont even click if the starter is bad, so I'm not sure.

So, last night I was out having fun with the 350, the usual spirited driving. Parked the car, pulled the E brake and turned it off, put it in 1st gear because on a hill and got out. Ten minutes later I got in the car and when I turned the key I only got one click, lights on the dash, odo and the 3 displays but no crank, no start. Battery was replaced about 3 months ago

We tried jumping the car, tapping on the starter while turning the key, even push starting with no luck. When push starting I had it in 2nd (did 1st as well) gas depressed and popped the clutch, my back tires completely locked up and stopped me dead in my tracks.

I was able to tow the car home and tomorrow will first check the starter relay. When the car is off the battery was reading at 14.1 with a multimeter. Any input would be greatly appreciated, I'm not sure what the exact symptoms of a bad starter relay are so that info would be a good start.

Thanks!

Daniel

 

You might have a bad battery. How old is it?

 

Does the car give a click when you turn the key, or was it just the one time?

I'm guessing your starter is stuck and you aren't hitting it hard enough. If not, could be a relay?

 

Op even though the battery was reading 14.1 V it still could have a bad cell preventing it from producing enough cranking amps. Take the battery out and take it to an auto parts store and have them place the battery under a load, most places will do this for no cost.

 

I just suggested starting with taking the battery to the auto parts place because it would provide a free test, if it isn't the battery then you eliminated that possibility at no cost to you, then you can proceed to the starter.

 

Fair point, Tucker.

 

The battery is only about 3-4 months old, I believe it was late september when replaced. Good idea guys I will take to autozone and see what they say, I still have the receipt so hopefully I can get it replaced if that's the problem.

I did try jumping with my civic but didn't work. If the battery wasn't strong enough to crank, wouldn't a jump do it? Or not 100% of the time?

The key clicks to the acc position, then when I turn it to the on position I hear a loud click from the car, sounds like the starter but I'm not sure. I can hear the fuel pump getting ready.

Here is a video:


It is a solid click, once when I turn to 'ON', then another when I let the key go back to 'ACC' .. That's why you hear 4 clicks in total.

 

Can you blow the horn while holding the key in the crank position?

 

I just tried and no, Syner, I can't honk the horn while the key is in the crank position.. It sounds like its trying but no noise comes out

 

Your starter is fine. Battery is the issue then.

 

That's awesome man thanks! I'll be taking the battery out shortly and will have it tested with receipt in hand. I'll let you guys know how it works out

 

When the car was push-started, did the rear tires rotate in any amount after the clutch was engaged ?

 

So the battery tested good, but needed charging.. guy said possible alternator going out. After I left I realized my battery probably needed charging because of the countless times I've tried starting it in the last 36 hours. I think there's a small chance it could be a bad alternator draining my battery, but maybe.

Before I rip the alternator off though I'm going to charge the battery and swap the starter relay for a different one to see if that works. If it works then I'll get a new relay and call it a day. If not I will take the alt in to see if its bad..

And pos vett, when I let the clutch out with the gas pressed in (while being pushed about 3 mph) it would lock up the back tires and stop me cold.

 

It really sounds like a battery issue. If the car isn't cranking, it shouldn't be draining. Try cranking and pressing the horn again. It could be a stuck starter or a relay, but that wouldn't explain the horn.

 

I'll try the horn in a minute when my battery is done charging. I wish I would have known about the horn trick earlier when it first wouldn't start because I would have tried it right away.

I thought the battery was slightly low because my dash lights and displays come on everytime I try to start it. Oh yeah, the night this happened, I had my phone charger plugged in for about 15 min to get enough of a charge to call my g/f for a ride.

Either way I'm about to put the fully charged battery back in and see if she cranks. Be back soon

 

OP,
I did not see year or mileage on your Z. If the starter were bad a good roll-start @ 5-10mph in 2nd should work. I mean downhill, or someone pushing pretty quick.
Since it's a fairly new battery, get them to replace it prorated.Just asking...
Tight battery connections, Little or no green corrosion? If your + batt connection is super corroded, your next batt will do the same.
glw the repair!

 

Thanks jhc,

I just rolled over 60k miles and corrosion is almost non existent on the terminals. I've checked the positive and negative cables and both looked nice and in tact.

I feel like we were pushing about 4-5 mph when I popped the clutch and the tires locked.. if I was going faster would it have possibly broken free and been 'push started'?

For some reason when push starting it felt like the entire powertrain was locked when I popped the clutch.. I don't know if a jammed starter would be able to do this..

 

No,
If your solenoid was stuck in engaged/out position it's gear would sheer off, car runs with starter being toast.
I agree w/Syner, don't over think it. If the batt's "open", nothing will work long. Start there.
GL

 

Tested battery again when fully charged and everything checked out. Installed battery and still just a click. I turned the key to crank position and hit the horn, no noise.. I held the horn down and then turned to crank, I could still hear the horn but a little bit quieter.

I just swapped the starter relay with the relay just above it, didn't work. Still the same thing. The other night when my buddy was underneath tapping it he said it was hard to get a decent whack at it. Obviously we don't want to crush the starter but I'll get it on jack stands and get under and try to tap it while somebody attempts to crank.

Does anybody have any idea why the wheels locked when I try to push start? Possibly some lock out safety mechanism? I honestly have no idea why that's happening

 

Hmmmmmm... You haven't said anything mean to your Z or threaten/contemplating selling it have you!?! LOL