no spark... sometimes

[gokepsgo]

Hey guys I need some advice. A couple of weeks ago I took my car to the shop to get a new clutch installed.. I got the car back the next day to find out my starter had been completely f'd in that time. The shop claimed they had no idea how this happened and would check it out after the weekend. Two days of driving went by and when I went to start my car it would not fire up. We push started it. I told the shop owner and he claimed it was not his fault but would try to figure it out. A week went by of him dicking me around and I finally said fuck it I want my car. He then took it to another shop to run tests and halfway through it started working again.

I asked them what could be causing this and one shop said it was an autostart that I didn't even know I had. Another said it was probably the crank postion sensor. I removed the autostart and it worked again for 4 more days but would not start again one day after work. Had to push start it.

This has been happening every 3 or 4 days now. It will be fine and at the most annoying of times I get stuck pushing it to get it to fire up. The engine cranks just won't start.

I will be rewiring everything under the dash probably tomorrow, or whenever I have the time.. I work alottt.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Previous experiences?

This really sucks. Finally when I get my car running awesome some bullshit like this happens. Fml

[gokepsgo]

I finally ripped out all of the wiring for the autostart last night and of course had to push start my car this morning. Everything worked last night so I know I didn't do this to myself. My concern is maybe whatever is bypassing my clutch to start may be acting up. Problem is. I have no idea what is doing this or where to look. Any ideas? I could really use some help here.

Ps sorry for the first post. I use my phone with brokem keys and a cracked screen so it makes it pretty hard to write a good paragraph.

[jlevie]

The engine starting by a push start, but not by the starter could mean that the battery is going too flat to both turn the starter and run the engine management system. The check for that would be to system voltage fed to the DME when trying to start the car. Use a DMM at the power point in the engine bay where the small wire from the battery terminates.

[gokepsgo]

Ill try that when I can get a hold of a meter. I'm doubting that though because twicein the last three weeks I have left my lights on at work for over 9 hours and it started right up with no problemo.

[gokepsgo]

Is there a chance the ecu is acting up? Or would the car not run at all if that were the case? Later tonight I'm gonna try checking for sparks on start up. Maybe I have a bad wire to the coil and it is coming loose every once in a while.

[gokepsgo]

If anyonehas any ideas or recomendations I could use them now. Going to the upick in a little bit to scrap some aluminum and posssibly get a head unit!

[jlevie]

The only thing that occurs to me, other than a system voltage issue, that would be different between push starting the engine and using the start would be if the ignition switch is bad or the Hot in Run and Start wiring from the switch is messed up. A test of that would be to disconnect the solenoid control lead from the starter, turn the ignition on, and jump power to the solenoid lug on the starter. If the engine fires and runs the search area for the cause has been narrowed.

[gokepsgo]

Thanks for the tips. I think I'm gonna need to call up a friend for that one because i am a little lost lol.

[gokepsgo]

Bump. I will be working on this with my cousin today and could use any advice.

To recap..
Runs prrrr fect
Usually takes a while to start due to shitty starter
Shop says no spark but I can't confirm
Will start randomly but beginning to get worse
Happened after shop changed my clutch and returned it with a burnt out starter

If anyone has had any similar problems or has any suggestions please chime in. Will be trying jim's jumper wire trick and will also have access to a multimeter so will test the battery as well, though I am pretty sure it is not the battery. This car is my dd and have had no problems with the alt or no starts in the past. Battery is only 1.5 years old and has never let me down, even after leaving my lights on all day during a ten hour work day.

Thanks r3v. <3 you ;