1998 T5 won't start

rswaty · Post by **rswaty** » 15 Oct 2012, 19:08

Hi folks,
Sorry to post this...I couldn't come up with a search though. I'm sure the answer is on the forum somewhere!

Anyways, last week while I was out of town our 1998 T5 wouldn't start leaving my wife and kids stranded. I'm off to go check it out tomorrow and hope for some ideas. We've had starting troubles before so my wife checked the fuse for the security system (has left us stranded before) and made sure the shift lock button was up-neither seems to be the issue. She said the lights where bright and at one point the key was stuck in the ignition.

Ideas for what to check seriously appreciated! Get one thing fixed, something else breaks!
Thanks,
Randy

byeboy · Post by **byeboy** » 15 Oct 2012, 19:37

Does the engine crank? When you get there see if it squirts gas out of the Schrader Valve on the fuel rail. It'll be the "Got Spark? Got gas? " check .
The key being stuck COULD have been a cocked steering wheel.

Roadrunner · Post by **Roadrunner** » 15 Oct 2012, 21:54

Hopping its not this but when was the last Timimg belt change? Because if you have gas and spark then your motor should start.

rswaty · Post by **rswaty** » 16 Oct 2012, 06:01

Ha-yes, I forgot to mention that it does NOT turn over...they did finally get the key out of the ignition switch.

Thanks heaps!
Randy

Post by **jblackburn** » 16 Oct 2012, 09:53

So the starter does not activate? What about if the shifter is placed in neutral?

Along with your key not coming out, it sounds like it may be something to do with the Park-Neutral position switch not thinking it's in the right position to allow the engine to start.

rswaty · Post by **rswaty** » 16 Oct 2012, 10:07

Hi everyone,
Just visited the car-seems like the dreaded stuck ignition switch. The interlock button is up, steering wheel moves, but key will not go past Position I. I tried a spare key, locking and unlocking, pushing interlock button up and down to no avail. Still wondering about the interlock button as it was really sticky!

Should I lube the interlock button next, then head to the ignition switch? Of course, it's in someone's driveway, in the way!

Thanks again,
Randy

Post by **jblackburn** » 16 Oct 2012, 10:10

Yes, that would be my route. Row the shifter a few times, whack it hard into park, then try turning the key with as much force as you can.

If it comes down to it, you can pull apart the steering column, remove the electrical portion on the ignition switch, and start that part of the switch with a screwdriver until you can replace the stuck cylinder part.

But hopefully, you can force that to un-stick.

Roadrunner · Post by **Roadrunner** » 16 Oct 2012, 10:11

Very true I forgot about the neutral safety switch (I have a stick).
Also was thinking if something could be stopping the shift lever from moving all the way into park.
Just a thought when was the last time you cleaned off the battery contacts?

Post by **cn90** » 16 Oct 2012, 10:37

1. Make sure the battery is fully charged.

2. You need to play with the PNP Switch.

3. Remove the Starter Relay, place a Jumper wire between 30 and 87 to r/o a bad Relay.
If starter still does not run, check the green wire in the back of starter motor.

A safer trick: make a longer wire with spade connector, unplug the green wire and now plug your longer wire with spade connector to the back of the starter. Then connect the other end to the battery (+) post. This technique bypasses everything else (i.e., it bypasses ignition switch, starter relay, fuse etc.) and bring current directly to the control pin (green wire) of the starter motor.

Pic of engine compartment fuses/relays:

rswaty · Post by **rswaty** » 16 Oct 2012, 13:05

Thanks heaps guys-I'll be digging into it after work.

Randy