Non-starting... Again., Just venting. Options

[john77]

Man, I hate electrical problems. A month ago on the way to auto x my car died in a Carl's Jr parking lot. Turned the key, nothing, but the lights and all auxiliary stuff worked fine. I hadn't even stopped to get food, so it wasn't like the car was protesting against my eating habits. After posting on here, I bump started it and carried on with my day, and apart from having to bump start it again after tech inspection (not embarrassing at all) it ran fine for the rest of the day.

I get up the next morning and go to start it and the same thing happens. So I take it to a local shop here in LA and pay $$$ to be told I need a new battery, the old one won't hold enough of a charge to start the car. So I get a new one and the car runs fine for the next 3 weeks.

Fast forward to this morning at cars and coffee and I get back in my car after 2.5hrs to find it's happening again. The fuel pump's going, the lights come on, but the starter is doing nada. Luckily it was right at the end so I pushed it across the empty lot and bumped it again.

I have a list of stuff to check that was suggested on my original post a month ago, but just wanted to blow off some steam. I get it that the shop diagnosed the first problem in the chain, fixed it and as the car started that was that, but, damn it.... f**k you electrical problems!!!!

[Justinp71]

I agree with all the posters here. In addition make sure your alternator is working. Check to see if your alternator light is functioning properly.

If you've never replaced your ignition switch I'd do that as well, $12 and takes about an hour or less.

fyi, I also found if you have jumper cables you can hot wire your car from your battery to the big yellow wire in the cab under the armrest and it will start if the key is on (good trick in case you get stuck again).

[Kansas 914]

If you end up replacing the key switch in the column - remember this tip (from Pelican Parts):

Comments: Seems that reproduction switches aren't built to the tolerances of the original German ones. There is a solution though. Simply adding a shim made from some folded over paper on the right hand side of the switch as viewed from the key's perspective at 3 o'clock is just enough to make the switch work as it should.

I doubted this at first, but when the switch I installed didn't work I gave it a try and it worked as it should!

Followup from the Pelican Staff: Thanks for the additional info. We appreciate it.
- Nick at Pelican Parts