DCXninety

at first i thought the battery was dead, wasnt the case....is there some sort of interlock switch that can freeze up in real cold weather?

turn the key and the starter wont engage...

any ideas?

its a 1991 90q

boogs

wiring issue? when was the last time you started it?

DCXninety

Go Birds baby

TurboEnvy52

ignition switch break? can you pop start it?

boogs

w00t, super bowl! Is the starter working, just not getting the engine to catch and turn over?

DCXninety

what does that mean?

DCXninety

the only thing that happens when i turn the key is the fuel pump

audi90man

had the same problem last week. check your batery terminals! they may be slightly corroded. just take them off, sand the connectors and the posts of the battery. worked fine after that! good luck and be careful

dtompsett

If absolutely nothing happens when you turn the key to the 'start' position, then there are a few possible problems.
a) solenoid is bad (means the starter won't get power)
b) bad wiring between ignition switch and starter (ie broken wire, corrosion on starter terminals, short in the system)
c) bad ignition switch (mine showed some of the same symptoms yours has.... came very suddenly.... went to start the car... nothing)

Keep in mind this was with an '88 10v 90q... incase there are any differences between yours and mine.

With my problem (c), trying several times, and complete randomness would suddenly allow it to start. I managed to get it home, got in the garage, and started doing tests. All the terminals and connectors got cleaned, pulled the starter (much easier to do with the battery in the trunk)... and it tested ok on the floor (still took it in to be rebuilt... it was pretty worn out). When I popped the rebuild starter back in, nothing happened (at this point i'm pissed!!!) Pull off the steering wheel, pull out the cluster, and gain access to the ignition switch. A few quick electrical tests show that the switch isn't doing it's job in the 'start' position. Local dealership (ha... 40km drive) has one in stock; car started like a champ with the new ignition switch. I tore into the old one, and couldn't find anything wrong with it.... but it was pretty crazy looking inside (i'm good with mechanical and electronic stuff.... and it made no sense to me at all!).... tossed it out.

Hope that helps. IIRC, the ignition switch was like $35 Cdn.

Rhibdrivr

I had a similar problem with my 88 90, if you held the key in the start position then lifted up on it, would crank away. Ignition switch is a common failure on these cars, contacts wear out pretty quick. The switch is real cheap and easy to replace. Testing the starter is pretty simple too, Bentley or Haynes manuals cover it, simple voltage checks.