'90 euro won't start, need help fast

alright.. my lumina won't start at a gas station and i have until tomarrow morning to get it started before she's towed. she won't turn over, there's not even a click. battery power seems fine. radio works, lights don't dim.. even while tring to turn her over. i'm thinking starter or ignition switch, but i'm no mechanic. i have no idea what i'm doing. could someone give me some ideas and details? i have no where else to turn.

You are right to suspect the starter, but usually the lights still dim a little when trying to activate a bad starter. Hmmm...the ignition switch, maybe, but it would be a long shot, since its more mechanical than electrical. If you can turn the ignition switch all the way around without it catching at any of the normal stops then that is the culprit. Otherwise, it sounds like a starter problem.

First things first, check the electrical connection to the starter. If the lights don't dim, then it sounds like there is no load being put on the battery from the starter. If the connection is tight at the starter, check the line all the way from the starter to the battery/wire-cluster. If the wires are frayed/severed the the problem is the wires.

If this dosen't fix anything, then time to pay the $$ to get the car towed home. Might be a good idea to have the ECU(Diagnostic) checked. It logs problems and keeps them in memory even when the SES light isn't on.

Sorry if this is mumbo-jumbo, but I hope it helps you! Good luck!

--Bill

thanx bill. i never thought to check the wireing. i bought some more time. a buddy of mine's cousin lives a block away from the station... we gave it the 'ol push.. but i've still gotta get 'er running by tuesday at the latest or i'm screwed. after listening under the hood, i do hear a low click... this points more to the starter? what does the starter look like? i know it's under the engine somewhere, but that's it. will a ratchet and extension get it off?

Looks like this:
http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/AAP/QLT/6415S.jpg

Generally is found on the under part of the motor, the hot and ground wires are usually visible, as the crank is pushed up against the flywheel internally. The click does sound like the starter.

That would be where I start my repair efforts. Good luck with it. Starters can be tricky, they come with shims. Usually you can just use the shims that are already there, but if for some reason you can't, use the new ones exactly like the old ones...(ex. if there were 2 shims, use 2 new ones assuming they are the same width).


Make sure you disconnect the battery first.


-- Bill

I had the same problem with my 92 Lumina when I first got it. My problem turned out to be a bad ignition switch (Read, not ignition cylinder) and after I had it replaced it cranked and started without a hitch.