[sydwaz8]

Hey guys, first time posting here. Any help you could give would be appreciated. I have a '95 coupe, and it has been starting very poorly since I purchased it about a month ago. First, sometimes I have to take it out of park, and put it back in to get it to start. Second, a lot of the time, it sounds as if there isn't enough juice to start it, and the lights dim and it labors to turn over.

I had the battery checked thinking that it may just be a bad one, but it checked out fine. My next thoughts are that it may be the starter, or ignition coil and plugs and wires. It doesn't miss fire, or knock while running, so I think maybe my plugs and wires are fine.

Any ideas as to what I could try to isolate the problem? Thanks in advance.

[stephen]

The slow cranking could be dirty terminals or other bad connection or a problem with the starter its self. The battery is also possible but that checked out OK.

Having to move it in and out of park could be a bad interlock. On most automatics there is an interlock in the shifter that won't let it start unless the trans is in park.

[sydwaz8]

OK, cool. What would be the best, cheapest way to fix the interlock?

[dgt_mustang]

i would get the battery checked again, just to rule it out once more, go to 2 or 3 different places, people at autozone and advance or where ever tell you that your battery is good some of the times just cause they are afraid they will have to install it for you if its bad,

[stephen]

Originally Posted by sydwaz8 OK, cool. What would be the best, cheapest way to fix the interlock?

I have the shop manual for a 99.

There is an interlock for the brake, which requires that the brake pedal is depressed to shift out of park. There doesn't seem to be an interlock in the shifter. There is a digital transmission range sensor, which is on the transmission where the shift cable attaches. That part or the cable could be incorrectly adjusted. First thing I would try is adjusting the cable by loosening and retightening the nut that holds it on the manual lever.

[94v6blkndred]

wouldnt hurt to do some voltage drops on the positive and negative side of the starting system...along with a voltage drop off the S terminal which is the the starter itself...should be 1.5v or less...anything more you have mechanical resistance....but i agree with stephen on checking the cable

[sydwaz8]

Originally Posted by stephen I have the shop manual for a 99. First thing I would try is adjusting the cable by loosening and retightening the nut that holds it on the manual lever.

I don't have a haynes manual yet, but can this be done from within the car, by removing the console, or do I have to jack it up and get to the tranny?

[sydwaz8]

Originally Posted by 94v6blkndred wouldnt hurt to do some voltage drops on the positive and negative side of the starting system...along with a voltage drop off the S terminal which is the the starter itself...should be 1.5v or less...anything more you have mechanical resistance....but i agree with stephen on checking the cable

I will have to get a multimeter from work, but this is another thing I will try. Is there anywhere that I can find the acceptable ranges on the interwebs?

[stephen]

Originally Posted by sydwaz8 I don't have a haynes manual yet, but can this be done from within the car, by removing the console, or do I have to jack it up and get to the tranny?

You need to jack it up. You might try loosening the nut that holds the cable on the shift lever and moving the cable a little with the car in park till it starts every time.

[94v6blkndred]

pos. battery post to main cable on the starter-.5v drop or less is good..
Across the the two main on the starter...1.5v or less
these are both cranking of course..pull out the fuel pump relay..it will be the easiest way to cutoff ignition

[rooster1]

check your plugs, check your wires, check the ign.coils, check your starter, check your battery, an check for a shortage!

[itschristorres8]

more then likely not the starter
if it wasnt your car wouldnt start
if there was a poor connection to the starter you'd get a clicking sound rather then starting


check the battery to see how many CCA's it has.

also just because its not miss firingdoesnt mean the sprak plugs or wires could be acting poorly

spark plugs are about $15 at most for stock plugs and could make a nice difference

if you have a spark plug tester i would try that out see if you get an orange or blue spark. blue would be ideal and good spark power. where orange/yellow is kinda weak.

wires is another thing to checkout. especially if they've never been changed
a new set isnt to expensive and a good idea on an old car anyway. while your at it other routine replacments might be a good idea
PCV valve
Air filter
fuel filter
and change your oil/oilfilter