Intermittent start question

[scusi]

OK, I am an electrical idiot. So, be gentle. On occasion, when turning the key to "start" the starter will not engage. Nothing happens, nada, zip! All electrical systems function in "run" position. Previous owner feels it may need a new ignition switch. But, I have read about the "brown wire" fix. Does, anybody have any ideas? Should, I spring for a new switch or try to look elsewhere for the problem? Getting tired of push starting it.

[lglade]

I had a Porsche 914 once upon a time that developed that exact same issue--I had to push start my car off and on for a couple of months before I found the problem. It turned out that I had loose ground strap from the transaxle to the chassis. If I was you, I'd start looking at those electrical connections (the big ground connections, like the one from the engine/trans to the chassis) before investing in any new parts.

[RRoller123]

Check the white block connector that is just downstream of the ignition switch, it works itself loose and causes this exact problem, usually with a click.

[courtenay]

Check and clean the wire connections to the starter. There's a brown and red wire combo with inline bullet connectors down beside the alternator.

[AriK]

The next time the symptom appears, gently press and feel the wiring behind the ignition switch while you turn over the key. You may just animate one of the terminals just enough to momentarily activate a connection.
If the PO installed a relay for the starter check its connections as well.
Those two bullet connectors courtenay mentioned are very likely culprits as well.
The brown wire fix is a good procedure to put in place but it's unlikely related to your problem.

[scusi]

Thanks for the wiring picture and all of the replies. I am jacking it up in a few days to change the oil pan gasket and will check the wiring at the starter.

[DieselSpider]

Thanks for the wiring picture and all of the replies. I am jacking it up in a few days to change the oil pan gasket and will check the wiring at the starter.

You can add years of life to a tired ignition switch by inserting a relay in the starter circuit. The starter solenoid can draw well over 10 amps but a 40 amp relay only draws a few milli-amps greatly reducing the load on the ignition switch when starting.

I was having the same symptoms and was burning out starter solenoids every 4 to 6 months even after the brown wire fix. A generic $6 40 amp automotive relay is cheap protection for an expensive ignition switch and an aging electrical system.

[76was124]

Check and clean the wire connections to the starter.......

After first disconnecting the battery of course.

[courtenay]

Thanks for the wiring picture and all of the replies. I am jacking it up in a few days to change the oil pan gasket and will check the wiring at the starter.

The bullet connectors in the picture I put up are easily accessible from the top. They are right beside the alternator.

[narfire]

I had starting issues in the past and I found the ground to the battery was loose. Tighten and good to go the past years....touch wood.

[pluktv]

I second Narfire, Check the simpler stuff first like battery and engine ground connections. Like Narfire, I had a bad battery connector that was very intermittent which caused some weird starting issues.

Also I suggest you buy a cheap multimeter and try and learn how to use it, really, there's a lot of internet help out there, keep it simple, learn the basics. It would pay for itself many many times over. A multimeter is your electrical eyes!