Electrical Problem!?!?!

[strykeone]

OK so I was changing my oil using a steel filter wrench. I turned it and it touched something on the starter or solenoid and began sparking.

 

No big deal, unhook negative battery terminal and continue oil change. Finish up.

 

I go to start it, the starter clicks. Nothing. Lights work everythings good but starter won't go. I let the vehicle sit for a few min. Try to start again. Negative battery terminal sparks (so my friend said). Now I have no power. I stop to think whats going on, try power again. Power works starter won't.

 

Now its sitting in the driveway, power works. But it won't start.

 

I haven't the foggiest as to where to begin.

 

Btw 1987, 3.0L

[oilman]

Check all the connections on the starter something could be loose also inspect the wires for damage from the arcing, then check you battery connections, and make sure they're clean and TIGHT.

If it's still a no go then I think you just bought yourself a new solonoid.

 

you know they'res a reason tose filter wrenches have rubber coated handles.

good luck

[Precise1]

I agree, you may have fried your selenoid... Trace the wires all the way from the battery. Check to see if the fusable link is ok... Check your fuses just for kicks, but I doubt they are the culprit; I just like to do a good free inspection before I buy parts... If everything checks out, then try this...

 

You should find the trigger wire to the starter. It'll be a plug on a wire going to the starter. It's right on top of the starter usually, just not directly attached. Unplug that thing and run a hot wire from the (+) positive post to the end that runs to the starter. If it starts to turn over when you touch that it's not the starter, but probly an ignition problem.

 

 

B

[strykeone]

So I did most of the things with n results, took it into the dealership on the advice of my friend whos forte is auto electrical work.

 

Problem at the dealership now though, guy told me to bring it in but then they said I;d have to wait for an appointment. Great.

 

My Pathy runs great though, this was entirely my fault.

[Guest pathyman95]

it was probally a fuseable link that comes off the baterry it looks like a nomal wire but it is fusable the fuse will burn and alot of times the it wont burn through the insulation it will look perfectly fine utill you pull it apart

[94extreme]

No big deal, unhook negative battery terminal and continue oil change.

that actually does not turn the power off on any vehicle.. + is what you need to disconnect.

[revgolem]

Actually, he was right to suggest disconnecting the negative power cable. It DOES disconnect the power on EVERY vehicle... no loop, no power... and EVERY manual, book and professional will tell you that you ALWAYS disconnect the negative cable first.

 

The entire vehicle is grounded to the negative side of the battery. With the negative cable disconnected you can safetly accidentally touch either side of the battery and nothing will happen. If you disconnect the positive side, any accidental contact between the battery terminal and any metal portion of the vehicle, say, with a wrench, will cause a closed loop and spark and possibly shock you or short out something in the system.