shortA25

for background, read the last post i made:

https://www.homemadeturbo.com/forum/...threadid=33043

Now, since that post, i went out and bought an ignitor and coil for the distributor, intending on replacing them and seeing what happens. I pull off the distributor cap, and there is a tiny loose screw in the cap. It is the screw that holds on the rotor. Obviously, this would be why my car was sounding like crap (as i stated in the last post). I put the screw back, decide not to mess with the ignitor and coil, and bolt everything back up. Go to start the car, nothing.

I have power, and i can hear the fuel pump kick on, but the starter is doing nothing, not even clicking. So I think i killed my starter the night my car died. I finally replace my starter today, and bolt everything back up. I get nothing. It is the same as before, I have power, fuel pump kicks on, but no clicking or cranking at all. What could my problem be?

Looks like its something to do with the starting circuit, because the distributor wouldn't have anything to do with the car actually starting right? any insight? bueller?

thanks ahead of time for the advice and help. later,

- short-A

90turbohatch

Have you checked your battery? Maybe it is dead. How many volts are you getting? How many amps?

shortA25

haven't actually checked the battery, or measured the voltage yet. I figured since i am getting my dash lights and such to come on when i turn the key, i have power, meaning the battery isnt dead. is my reasoning wrong or stupid, or both? i'll try to get the battery checked. anyone else? later,

- short-A

1992VR-4

Theres a little clip on the starter..beside the wire comin from the fuse box. It poped off on mine a couple times...My dash lights and ---- would cut on but the engine wouldnt even click over. It could also be your battery. It doesnt take much power at all to light up the dash lights. And check your battery posts and grounds.

quickcrx702

dont rule out the distributor yet. do you know anybody with the same car as you who will let you try out their distributor? i know for a fact that if your distributor is fucked either the car wont start, or if it does, it will die out within seconds or minutes. if it were your starter, you would still be able to push start the car. go take your battery for testing, and look for corrosion on the cables. if your battery and cables are cool, my first guess would be the distributor. oh yeah, sometimes you can get away just by changing the ignitor and coil, but sometimes you cant. i tried that before, but it only lasted a couple of weeks before the car fucked up again. i got a brand new distributor and everything worked great. just buy the whole distributor and save yourself a headache.

shortA25

thanks for all the replies guys, they definitely helped. Science always looks for the simplest solution; this applies to cars as well. luckily, the simplest solution was right this time.

as i said, i did have power, from the battery, but apparently not enough. I jumped the battery w/ another car, and it worked, powered right up, and ran fine. Oh well, 45 bucks for the starter aint bad. Could have been a lot worse. thanks again for the help and advice. I may not have used it now, but i guarentee I or someone else will in the future. later,

- short-A

90turbohatch

Your welcome. When ever your car won't crank check the battery. Just because your dash lights come on doesn't mean you have enough juice to start the car. Never leave out the easy or obvious things.