Car won't start

J-Tek · 11-10-2011, 01:23 PM

I've read several other threads and still have not been able to get the car started.

My '01 insight sat up for about 3 months and due to my negligence I did not occasionally go out to start it up.

A few days ago I went to work on it again and the 12v batter was dead and the car wouldn't start. I tried to jump it with my other car and got the battery charged enough to power the dash and accessories but it still wouldn't turn over the engine. I checked my ground connections, turned the IMA on/off a couple of times, removed the 40amp fuse (for idle IMA charging) and still nothing.

Before it sat the car would fire up the first time, every time, never any hesitation.

I took the 12v battery out and had it tested and confirmed that it would no longer hold a charge with at least one of the cells bad. So I got a new 12v and put it in but the car still won't start.

When I hold the key in the start position, and I've held it there for a minute before, all I hear is a whizzing/fan-like noise coming from the IMA block in the back. It never once sounds or feels like it's trying to turn the engine over.

I have not checked any of the driver-side inside fuses yet due to bad neck and back but didn't think any should be blown.

Any ideas to try is appreciated.

talonmike · 11-10-2011, 02:32 PM

Replace the battery negative ground, and the 2 ground straps, even if they look ok.

**AClewell** · 11-10-2011, 02:38 PM

Even if the IMA is dead the 12v should start it. I agree you have a problem with the 12v system most likely the grounds.

Does the 12v starter even click? It could be stuck from never getting used if it does at least click.

You might have to turn off the IMA switch in the back to force the 12v system to start the car.

Willie Williford · 11-10-2011, 02:45 PM

Or put your location in your signature so maybe someone can come by and assist if you want.
Ground straps are my choice also. Clean the connectors to the 12V battery also.
HTH
Boy am I weird.
Willie

J-Tek · 11-10-2011, 04:30 PM

Y'know I replaced the ground cables earlier in the year for the 12v battery, and the 2 others going from the engine and air box to the well under the fuse box on the driver's side.

However, if the IMA was always starting the engine and now my 12v died, and although I have a new one there may very well be a ground issue I didn't know was there. (I had done all that trying to troubleshoot an heating/cooling issue that never fully got resolved.)

Trouble is I don't know where to look now.

The new cables were made from thick gauge wire. The ends for the negative battery cable were new standard ends with the cable bolted to the firewall just above the battery and to the left.

The other 2 ground cables were fitted with copper ends. I used conductive grease on all 3.

I'll check these again and report back.

Eli · 11-10-2011, 04:41 PM

Start with the basics I guess, make sure the starter is getting juice.

Any means to bump start it?

discob · 11-11-2011, 03:29 PM

your auxiliary starter may be bad, it happened to me. it was -18 degrees C and the starter did not move. it was probably never used and got stuck. i changed it and never got that problem again. if it sat for 3 months maybe the ima is not used to start the car since the charge is too low, so it uses the auxiliary starter.

good luck!

**Waynetc** · 11-14-2011, 12:19 PM

Is it a manual trans? If so make sure that the clutch switch is working. I got burned on that one once...

**AClewell** · 11-14-2011, 12:26 PM

Nice call Waynetc. I wish I had thought of that one.

J-Tek · 11-27-2011, 11:45 AM

Sorry for the late reply, just so busy.

The last time I worked on it I finally started to hear the click of the starter (sounds like it is coming from the far left of the dash). It was faint so I took my foot off the clutch and left the shifter in nuetral, attempted to start again and heard much louder consistent clicking. I hoped this might 'unstick' it but if it was frozen then should I hear any clicking?

Next I checked all the fuses both under the hood and under the dash; all were good.

I realized the buzzing sound from the back was actually the fuel pump. Hopefully I haven't flooded the engine....

All said, I still haven't been able to get the car started.

I have taken apart and rebuilt the starter on a Yoyota Sienna and a Camry before, is such a thing feasible for the Insight (assuming problem is with starter)?

Also how do I check the MT clutch switch to see if it might be the problem?

Thanks again.