1999 C2 996 Car will not start.

[agee11]

OK here it goes. Drove home from dinner car started normal. Parked over night in garage...Woke up in morning was going to get coffee and then bam. Car does not start it does not crank over one bit its like someone stole my starter, nothing at at.....All lights come on. Air works, Head lights work, Radio, everthing.works top even goes down. Call AAA to jump start was told battery ok. (Print out shows this.). Is there anything I'm missing?

Edited November 26, 2012 by agee11

[violaGT3]

I am not a Guru, but I would start by checking the silenoid and the relay(listen for action"click)

Then I would suspect the IGN switch.

I am sure someone will chime in once they get off work and help further.

P.S. It would be good of you to post year, C2/C4, mileage, recent work done(for instance disconnected battery and possibly left terminal loose AMPS)

GL

Edited November 26, 2012 by ViolaGT3

[agee11]

Carrera C2 - 1999 yr. Milage 183426. I know that a lot.

[987_RDC]

Clutch switch? Perhaps the car thinks you haven't pushed it in.

[Richard Hamilton]

Check the DME fuse (engine electronics). C1 iirc.

Do US cars have a clutch interlock switch? If so, that might be worth checking.

Can you hear the fuel pump running for just a couple of seconds when you switch on the ignition? If not, it might be the immobiliser has cut it. The immobiliser inhibits the fuel pump, ignition, and the starter.

[agee11]

Great I will check. Let you know what happens.

[agee11]

Checked fuses, all good. Checked clutch switch and bypassed it. nothing. I can't hear the fuel pump. Is there a way to bypass the immobilizer to check this. .

[Dharn55]

If the car won't turn over I don't think it is the immobilizer. This prevents it from starting but not from turning over. May just be a failed starter motor.

[violaGT3]

Carrera C2 - 1999 yr. Milage 183426. I know that a lot.

Holy Poo! That is a lot of miles! Wow! Yea, there are going to be a few things to consider in that.

Dharn55 may be on the money, I am not familiar with where the starter is on these yet as I have a Guru service mine.

But it might be worth while to use jumper cables to positive pole on the starter to see if it is good.

Typically the starter is a tell tale, in that either the solenoid fails or the motor fails, so either you get a click, or a buzz like turning sound, both at the same time is normally a stretch but with that many miles, the towel may have been thrown in. I would "assume" it would be the relay or the ignition switch, from my experience. But my experience falls under drag racing old crappy cars and VW's which IGN switch's are the root of all evil in.

With that many miles it really could be a slew of thing including the IGN. switch.

GL

P.S. If there is a bad ground to the starter, then it could have shorted and burned out, happens, either by corrosion, road debris, etc.

again GL!

Edited November 27, 2012 by ViolaGT3

[Richard Hamilton]

If the car won't turn over I don't think it is the immobilizer. This prevents it from starting but not from turning over. May just be a failed starter motor.

I'm afraid that isn't correct. The immobiliser inhibits the starter, fuel pump, and ignition:

I'm not saying that it is the problem - only that it could be.

You will find the starter relay on the panel under the carpet behind the back seats. The starter is triggered by the DME, but it could still be the ignition switch causing the problem. A little unlikely, perhaps, as the switch contacts handle very little current. They do break up mechanically inside the switch though. The first sign of failure is usually when you have trouble removing the key, or when it doesn't spring back.

[violaGT3]

With what Rhamilton is noting I wonder if it could be that the transponder it's self could be failed in the key??? Is there another way to test it's function, like with manually unlocking the door or something? Or do you have a spare key? Yea, that's fantastic yet another possible failure I hadn't even thought of. fun fun fun.

Edited November 27, 2012 by ViolaGT3

[agee11]

I tried the spare key with the same result nothing. I going to take the starter out which is a pain and have it tested. I was told that they DME if out would not allow the car to operate the alarm or the windows or top. I'm not sure what else to do. Anything else???????? I started already with the alternator....

Edited November 28, 2012 by agee11

[Loren]

Any click from the starter solenoid? If not, then it is likely something else.

If the starter is not running then whether you have fuel or not is irrelevant.

Do all the appropriate lights on the dash come on when the key is turned to "on"?

Do you know anyone close by with a PST2, or PIWIS, or Durametric tester?

[agee11]

No click from solenoid. Yes all lights do come on. I hooked up the computer but no codes showed up.

[Loren]

What computer please? PST? Did you run diagnostics on the alarm system?

[RFM]

If you cant find error codes, take a look if the thinnest wire on the starter motor is loose or fallen off.

[schmucklefutz]

I would clean your battery posts & clamps thoroughly. I've gotten some really odd behavior from corroded clamps/posts: lights, blowers, radios that work great while the solenoid & starter don't work at all.

[agee11]

After all this and that. The cause was a faulty Starter Relay switch. This relay switch is located behind the seat. The cover that goes over the back under the top. Release the cab top back window. Take out the clips that hold the cover and to the side of the cab motor there are replys there. After hours and hours this took me 5 min to get at it and replace the relay. Please let me know if anyone needs more information about this. Thanks for all who have tried to help. Sorry about not getting back with everyone right away.