BFFalconXR8

hey all

My son has a 97 EL Futura 6cyl Auto

Bog std apart from his doof doof machine.

Problem is it wont start - just happened one day.

Get all dash lights as usual, smart lock light goes out after ignition is turned on, all seems cool.

But no crank, only a relay click. We can jump the battery straight to the starter solenoid and it fires up no probs.

Tried in both park and nuetral both the same.

My initial thought was the Park-Neutral switch on the g/box - when I checked it there is no power to that switch at all - so my guess is its whatever supplies that power - all relays and fuses that I can find seem ok. I swapped the g/box switch just be double sure as well.

Anyone have any ideas as to what supplies the power to the g/box switch. Or any other thoughts on what the issue may be?

Thanks in advance

R.S.LOGAN

Not really familar with that car , but is the brake pedal switch not tied into the starting / inhibitor circuit like on some other cars ? Might be worth checking switch / brake lights .

thefonz

Not really sure what you are saying about the solenoid, are you bypassing it (jumping across it)? If so, it sounds like it would be the solenoid. I've never had a vehicle in the states that you had to press the brakes to start, but it may be different across the pond. When you say relay click, do you mean the starter relay/solenoid?

BFFalconXR8

Hey guys thanks for the replies...

RS LOGAN
No there is no need to put foot on the brake pedal in this model - not a common thing here in AUS, only on American imports Chrysler - Jeep etc.

THEFONZ
Not bypassing the solenoid jumping power directly from the battery to the solenoid with igition in the on position - fires up right away. Just won't do it without putting power on the solenoid.

BFFalconXR8

Ok so a bit of fishing found the relay that drives the starter solenoid.

No power on the relay

again if i jump from the battery to the coil on the relay it fires up

so tomorrow night I'll pull the ignition barrel out and start working back from there towards the relay

BFFalconXR8

ok well i think its going to the scrap metal yard

wont start with the key
now wont shift out of 1st
speedo stopped working

Aussiblue

Is smartlock flashing? is the interior light working?

__________________
Regards Blue

BFFalconXR8

Hi AussiBlue

Thanks for your reply - I thought of that too, smart lock flashes briefly as usual but then goes out (when igntiion keyed on). Flashes when ignition off

Interior lights work.
The only things not working are:-
No Start
Wont change gear ( i actually think its in limp mode)
Speedo doesnt work
and Now wipers no work

BFFalconXR8

ok for anyone that's interested - it was the ignition barrel - specifically the acessory part of the switch.

After talking to a few auto elecs - most of whom didnt want to help unless i bought the car there and coughed up some cash, despite my fathers shop sending a lot of work to them... anyway finally found one that right away over the phone said he is having lots of issues with ELs breaking the accessory part of the barrel.

Tried a new barrel and 'BAM' the faults are gone. So now just modifying the barrels so I can keep the same key

BFFalconXR8

damn well i thought i had it all solved

everything is ok - except no gear change still