fiero not starting..

[FIERO-JOE]

hey all.. my fiero just stop starting.. im not totally sure if it is the standard clutch switch or the starter that went..
i can push start it fine.. and it worked up to the point that it would not start.. i drove it all day and when i turned it off... it just wont start... no noise// no chugging of the starter trying to go.. just silence...

any ideas.. for what to check to confirm what broke.. 
thanks all..

joe

[2ML67]

The clutch start switch is the easiest to test it is the switch on the side of the clutch pedal with a larger yellow and purple wire going into it.
If you short across the two wires it will bypass the switch so you can try and start the engine.
If still nothing jack up the car put it on jack stands and go under the car and useuse a screw driver to short across the two terminals on the starter, if still nothing it is the starter if it does start then it is in the wiring between the ignition switch and the starter. the usual spot is in the C500 but could be any where. Dan

[falcon_ca]

agree

Test the clutch start switch first and then the starter.

If you have power down to the starter and nothing happen, it could be the selenoid. Mine done that.

[FIERO-JOE]

the selenoid? is that the clutch swtich?? where is the selenoid located, and would i be able to check it??
thanks for all the help guys...

[aaron88]

The solenoid isn't really a solenoid it's a contactor, and it's attached as part of your starter.  You can bypass all of your circuits and apply power directly to your "solenoid" (or starter) to see if it's good.

It can be tricky torubelshooting electrical if you have no background, so make sure you take your time and/or have a friend help you.  Don't mess around with the large current circuits if your not sure about what you are doing.

It's most helpfull to get a manual that shows the electrical diagrams.  Any rebuild manual should do.

Good luck,

Aaron

.

[FIERO-JOE]

OK my techo wizards!!
here is the latest news and attempts..
the standard clutch switch works and not the problem...

i have shorted the starter solenoid ??  with a screwdriver.. and turned the car over.. with great sucsess..
when the started is shorted the car will start when turning the key all the way as normal..
NOW boys and girls is it the wiring or the starter or the solenoid?

thanks
joe

[aaron88]

Without looking?
- Bad connection somewhere
- bad wire
- bad relay
- blown fusable link (not sure I don't have a manual for non-88's)
or
- blown fuse

anyone?... anyone?

[FIERO-JOE]

SO aaron88

in your knowledge it is NOT the starter or solenoid??
it is NOT the standard clutch switch... but somewhere in the middle?
wire or fuseable link???

[dguy]

As you said the starter worked when you jumped it with a screwdriver.  Odds are then that the starter's armature & brushes are ok.

Given that the starter wouldn't even click as per your first post, you likely have an intermittent connection somewhere between the battery & the solenoid.

There's not much to the circuit.  Battery->fuseable link->ignition switch->clutch switch->solenoid.  A loose, dirty, damaged, or fatigued connection anywhere in that path will cause problems.

Common things to watch for...
- battery terminal connection, especially if the cable end has been replaced with a repair terminal from Canadian Tire or similar;
- fuseable link or the wiring on each side of the fuseable link fatigued;
- dirty/loose/bad crimp/etc. connection at the solenoid.

The contacts inside both the ignition & clutch switches can become worn and fail, although it's relatively rare.

Can't offer much more of use without being there.  Hope this helps!

[aaron88]

If you have a voltmeter or ohm meter you should be able to track the probem down fairly quickly.
Start at the starter and see if you have power at the cable when someone hits the ignition.  Then work your way back checking at the peddle switch an so forth.

good luck

[FIERO-JOE]

Thanks all i narrowed it down to BEING the Solenoid.. and got a new on at part source for 18.99
so all good will have her up and running by the weekend.....

thank you al for all the assistance and possible porblems and how to check them...

joe..
now all i have left to do is paint the old girl...