Vibe won't start...need some help

[Kissfan79]

Hey guys...
It's been a looooong time since I have been here and posted but I am in need of some help/information. My 03 GT won't start and I am trying to diagnose the cause. The other day it started fine so I could pull my car off the street and into the driveway. After backing it in and loading it up it wouldn't start. My first thought is the battery but I am pretty sure it checks out fine. I put my meter on it and it seems to have enough voltage. All the lights (including headlights) come on fine, stereo comes on, I even hear what sounds like the fuel pump in the back running when I turn the key but the engine won't turn over. Nothing. no sounds of turning over or trying to start. I am going to try and jump it but for the sake of assuming the battery isn't the problem....my question is this: Are there any known issues with the starter switch konking out and allowing the power to the vehicle but just not making a connection to the starter. Also....is it possible the switch that the clutch connects to when depressing it to allow the engine to start has died? It may be my imagination but it seems recently before this happened that I had a few instances of when starting the engine it would suddenly stop turning over and I would have to turn the key off and and then back on to start it. It may have been me not putting enough pressure on the clutch at the time. Anyhow....thanks in advance for any information or insight anyone may have.

Thanks, Jim

[kaflex]

i had an older escort wagon stick that used to give me issues, I use to have to slam the clutch pedal down, for some reason if i didn't, it didn't push the switch in enough to tell the car that the clutch was in, (i fixed that by zip tieing the switch in, so i didn't have to push the clutch in to start). MY other car I have now, a 99 jetta, starter was going so i used to just pop the clutch to start it, (give it a little push and put in first and let the clutch out quick).

if all the gauges come on when you turn the key, check the started, give it a good hit if you can.

[kumquat]

Have you looked at the voltage of the battery while attempting to crank?

Sometimes a battery can seem to be OK but as soon as a big load is applied to it the voltage drops right down to nothing.

[JohnO]

It is a common problem with the starter motors on the Corolla/Matrix/Vibe. The contacts wear out and the starter suddenly won't work one time. It is inexpensive to repair if you know how. See this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgGWQ02GtEk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[star_deceiver]

Clutch pedal switch. Easy to check and it's where I would start. Remove the wires and tie them together (or disconnect them... however it senses the pedal being fully depressed) and try to start!

[Kissfan79]

Thanks for the replies guys. Here is where I am at: I pulled the battery out and took it to Advance Auto Parts to have it tested. First test it tested good but recharge. It is a 500CCA battery and it tested out at 425 amps. After about 30-40 minutes it was only up to 429 amps. Had them put it back on the charger for a couple hours and when I picked it up it tested as good but the amps were still only at 452. The guy who tested it said it should turn crank the engine. I put it back in and no start. I pulled the clutch switch and tested it for continuity with my meter. It had continuity so the clutch switch is good. I got underneath the car, pulled the plastic shield pieces out of the way and tapped on the starter a few times with a wrench (didn't knock the crap out it but they weren't little love taps either). Still no start. I sat inside the car and turned the key to start. I pulled the little coin compartment (at least that's what I use it for) to the left of the steering wheel so I could listen better. As I turn the key to start, I can hear "click" from that area near the fuse block. I'm guessing that's the relay in there which would mean the ignition switch is good correct? Which of the replays in the compartment fuse block controls the starter ignition? Sadly to say....I think i'm the only guy on the board who doesn't own a pair of jumper cables so I think I'll go out any buy a pair so I can attempt to jump it from my Jeep just to be 100% certain on the battery. If the battery is indeed not the culprit am I correct in saying my next move is to pull the starter and have it tested?

Thanks again guys, Jim

[Kissfan79]

Ok....I found out which relay controls the starter and have confirmed it is getting the signal. With my foot on the clutch and turning the ignition key I can feel it click with my finger touching it. I'm going to check for power at the starter when my wife gets home. If it is the relay.....how do you get that thing out of there as it seems pretty cramped to get a hand back there?

Jim

[joatmon]

The starter in my first 03 just up and died one day, unfortunately while not at home in the garage.

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=36802" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; helped me a lot.

Not too difficult to take the starter out, might be worth pulling it and take it in to where you had the battery tested

[Kissfan79]

Ok....latest update. My wife got home and I had her turn the key while I was underneath trying to see if there was current to the starter. I had my meter in front of me and I touched the red lead to the terminal on the solenoid that the battery hooks up to. She turned the key and believe it or not it started. I had her try it a few more times and it started 3 or 4 times in a row and then stopped starting (tried 3 or 4 times and it wouldn't start again). I took the opportunity to check the voltage on the battery while she tried to start it and it was about 12.2v. While it was running....the alternator was indeed charging as the battery was reading 14.2/14.3v. I did notice that after it stopped starting that when my wife turned the key I could hear a little click in the engine compartment but it actually sounded like it was near the battery. So.....what do you think......is the starter or the relay more likely the culprit/ Or...should I just change them both and see what happens?

Thanks, Jim

[Kissfan79]

Well....it turns out it was indeed the starter....which is funny as it tested as ok when I took it to Advance Auto Parts. He did say that it spun slower than normal but it did test ok. I went ahead and bought the new starter that I had already ordered online for an in store pickup on the chance that even though it spun at Advance it was on it's way out. Got it home and installed it and she starts like a champ again. Thanks again for all of the help and insight guys.

Jim