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05-06-2008, 11:27 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 17
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Help! Intermittent no start
I have had an intermittent starting problem with my '91 164L for the last month. Once in a while, I turn the key and get all the dash lights, but when key is turned to start position, just a relay click coming from the fuse box area and the starter does not energize. Sometimes it will start after a few tries, but today I had to push start it. Started fine the rest of the day. A friend of mine had the same problem with his S, but it went away before he could trace the problem. Anybody had this problem before and solved it?
Tom
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05-07-2008, 12:18 AM
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compratore di alfa
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 4,714
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Tom, it sounds like it could either be your starter going bad or your battery going bad. I would have a shop test your battery, or since they're not that expensive, you could try replacing it. Then if that doesn't work, it might be your starter, but I hope it's not..
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05-07-2008, 06:16 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 17
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No start
Thanks for the reply! I changed the battery, no change. I suspect the starter, but when it does work it turns over fine. I'm going to check the wiring and relays before I remove the starter, I'd rather have teeth pulled!
Tom
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05-07-2008, 06:30 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: VB, VA
Posts: 7,360
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When you say starter relay under dash near center console clicks, do you mean one click when you turn key to start or does it chatter?
Or is chattering at starter?
__________________
Ciao, Alfisto Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
AROC 164 Tech Advisor
sdpatchin@aroc-usa.org
http://www.aroc-usa.org/tech/index.asp
http://www.aroc-usa.org/
Daily drivers: USA models 91 Bianco 164B 5-speed ALFA 4ME, 91 Argento aka "Quik Silver" 164B ALFA 4US w/AT, 93 Rosso 164L 5-speed - semi-daily driver with issues.
164L Rescue projects: 91 Argento aka Non-QS, and organ donor 91 Nero 164L
"A day without an Alfa whine is like a day without sunshine"
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05-07-2008, 09:50 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 17
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Steve,
There is no chattering, just a couple of relays under the dash click, one in the fuse box. Starter makes no noise at all. Then, turn the key again and it starts right up. Sometimes.
Tom
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05-07-2008, 10:03 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 17
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Update.. Car has been dead pretty much all day, so I am hoping to solve this tonight. One of the potential proplems is the anti theft. I just tried to start the car, no start. I set the alarm and the tuned the key to start, no start, as it should be. De-activated alarm, turned key and it fired right up. And did so 5-6 times before I came up to write this. Starter inhibitor relay?
Tom
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05-08-2008, 04:28 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: VB, VA
Posts: 7,360
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by iecoupe
Update.. Car has been dead pretty much all day, so I am hoping to solve this tonight. One of the potential proplems is the anti theft. I just tried to start the car, no start. I set the alarm and the tuned the key to start, no start, as it should be. De-activated alarm, turned key and it fired right up. And did so 5-6 times before I came up to write this. Starter inhibitor relay?
Tom
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Park-Neutral start switch on shift lever and anti theft unit starter purple and purple-black wiring connector. You can disconnect connector and jump front end of connector to bypass theft unit to see if that is causing no start.
If problem still exists you can jump/adjust/clean contacts in shift lever switch(be sure car in park if you overide safety switch).
If with both bypassed problem still exists you need to check for power at purple-black wire in front connecter each time you turn key to start to be sure ignition switch working each time start selected.
If you have power each time and it still doesn't run starter check starter relay I10 along left side of center console (about where your right knee is when driving) to be sure it clicks (open fuse panel door and look along console wall for relay) If original bosch it will have red stripe with diode same as engine ECU one. It should click only when key moved to start position.
Once relay working next point to check is pin 2 black wire in G151 big round connector behind false firewall. check for power when key to start and all of above verified. If no power change relay and check again. Next stop is small slip on black wire at starter solonoid.
__________________
Ciao, Alfisto Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
AROC 164 Tech Advisor
sdpatchin@aroc-usa.org
http://www.aroc-usa.org/tech/index.asp
http://www.aroc-usa.org/
Daily drivers: USA models 91 Bianco 164B 5-speed ALFA 4ME, 91 Argento aka "Quik Silver" 164B ALFA 4US w/AT, 93 Rosso 164L 5-speed - semi-daily driver with issues.
164L Rescue projects: 91 Argento aka Non-QS, and organ donor 91 Nero 164L
"A day without an Alfa whine is like a day without sunshine"
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05-08-2008, 09:38 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 137
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To add to Steve's automatic park-nuetral switch test
If the car is automatic another test you can do when this occurs is to shift the transmission into nuetral and then try to start. I had a Mazda have this problem intermittantly and this enabled me to start it every time that it wouldn't in park.
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Thanks,
Spencer
1991 164S White 
1979 Sport Sedan 
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05-08-2008, 09:53 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 17
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Hello,
Thanks for the replies, but the car is a manual. The alarm system has a starter inhibitor relay that I am suspecting. Of course, the car has been starting fine since last night, so I can't trace anything until it does it again!
Tom
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