Going to see a guy’s car today. Says he replaced starter, battery good, fuses good, but when he turns the key the lights come on and car wont crank. Thoughts?
Im guessing improper starter installation or fuses are blown. He hasnt checked relays. Maybe even an ECU dead.
2005 VW Jetta
Why was the starter replaced in the first place?
Was it because the starter wouldn’t operate when the key was turned?
If so, the starter wasn’t the problem.
Tester
Not exaxtly sure but say it didnt work and then he replaced. Might have not done it correctly or gotten a lemon. Just thoughts of things to check
Going to see if engine is locked, run an obd2 on starter, and check fuses and relays. He may not have checked dashboard fuses just engine compartment fuses.
Also will check if his oil ran low and his engine locked. Will check power and protocols of his ecu.
Shift the transmission into neutral if it’s an automatic.
If the engine starts, there’s a problem with the park/neutral safety switch.
If it’s a manual, unplug the clutch pedal inter-lock switch and insert a jumper wire into the electrical connector.
If the engine starts, the inter-lock switch is bad.
Tester
Check the signal wire at the starter while cranking to see if you have power…
If your starter has a good ground and B+ to it and a 12 volt reference signal while cranking then your stater is bad, if you don’t have the reference signal while cranking then you have to start looking up stream as Tester stated… And you can also bench test the starter very easy and I always bench test new starters cause I have been bit by bad new/reman starters…
Don’t overthink it, check starter 2nd, obviously trying to start it in neutral as Tester said would be the 1st thing cause it is very easy to do…
Excellent advice. That’s where I’d start w/this problem. B+ at the starter’s electrical terminal (the thicker of the two wires) should measure battery voltage, appx 12.6 volts, independent of key position. S (the thinner of the two) should measure at least 10.5 volts with key in “start”. Probe between the terminal on the starter and the starter case.
Since starter is newly installed and presumably works, I expect you’ll find there’s no voltage on the S terminal (w/key in “start”), or not enough. Then it is just a matter of figuring out why. Common causes
Much less likely
Seems pretty unlikely the engine has suddenly locked up, but worth considering if nothing else helps. Let us know what you find out!
Note: If solution isn’t faulty starter motor, the old one the owner just removed may remain good to go. Have it bench tested, if tests good, keep it and install it next time.
Tried looking, internet was not helpful. Is
there a fuseable link?