MZ21 won't start! help us, we're stranded :(

[joecoolmk2]

Well we're stuck out whoop whoop and it's almost midnight. we've been frigging around for hours trying to get the bastard to turn over but it won't. checked all the fuses and they all seem ok. battery's ok, everything works, so there's enough power. if i had a multimeter it might help.

please, anyone that might be able to help please do ASAP. we all wanna go to bed.

cheers, joe, and limmy.

[Jasper]

Have you tried shorting the two terminals on the back of the starter motor solenoid?

[allencr]

trying to get the bastard to turn over

What does this mean?? It does not crank at all because the starter motor is not operating, or it cranks slowly, or it cranks but spits & coughs & pops & backfires, or it cranks/ turns over & almost seems to start, or it cranks very fast with no sign of even attempting to start?


Cam belt, ignition, fuel.

[thechuckster]

neutral start switch (if auto) OK? or hsa become open circuit despite car being manual?

[joecoolmk2]

the starter motor does absolutely nothing. when you turn the key to start, you get the power drop like there's power going to it, but it doesn't even kick the pinion out.

we tried turning the motor over manually to see if that helped, but didn't.

and it's a bit hard trying to short the solenoid cuz its hard to get at.

it's a stock standard 7MGTE auto. we tried park and nuetral and neither made a difference, except the tacho fully lights up when in park.

[joecoolmk2]

well, we're getting a lift into town. the soarer can go get fucked!

[limmy]

yeah ive been looking all morning for an asnwer but yeah i guess we wont know until we get a multimeter out to c where the power if there is any power at all going to the starter, bloody thing ive only had it for 2 days, maybe should of checked it but i guess a thing like this is unavoidable, it happens and u learn from it.im still looking for answers. i think it might be a while until its on the road again, last resort take it to auto sparky.,.... very last resort.

[oldcorollas]

if the lights dim a bit, then power is getting to the solenoid (not power to the motor, cos that needs the solenoid to pull to bridge it's contacts)

did you try hitting the solenoid? it might just be a bit stuck, and a decent whack (hammer or clublock ) can often free it enough to work again.

either that, or the battery doesn't have enough juice to kick the solenoid out.. but then the lights would rdim a lot more when you turn the key

[BlackSupra]

My vote was going to be use a broom handle to hit the starter.

[joecoolmk2]

we put a jump starter on it and it made no difference. we have yet to try the shorting or beating technique, but i haven't been with them today as i've been at a funeral wake.

[011]

It might sound noob, but join the NRMA. They can organise you a free tow truck and make life easier during the most inconvenient breakdowns.

They're worth their fee, especially when you own an unreliable 80s car like me.

[EldarO]

had the same problem, was the starter.

and its easy to get to, just jaw a long screwdriver into the contacts, you should be able to get sparks at least, telling you you've made contact, and it should kick.

Elmo.

[Howieau]

Yeh ive used the beating the starter with a broom handle. Actually worked well, everytime lol. On a old 87 corolla that was.

[limmy]

nah jumped the starter and got it working but the car still wont start in any gear.
thinking it might be the neutral start switch???? any ideas, when trying to start the whole dash lights up. and the tachomter goes all the way up. any ideas? tried relays fuses. they all good and ticking next thing is the neutral start switch but i dont know where its located????? if someone could tell me it would be cool.

[whatthe?]

The soarer I had had the same problem. Fit a starter relay to divert direct current from the battery to the trigger and she'll probably work. The wiring in these seems to get a bit how you going at the 20 yo mark