Delay before car starts

[RCA1186]

So recently I've been having a problem, I think it might be ignition switch related but I want to see if anyone else has had this issue. When I go to start the car, I will get a pause/delay before the car starts. It starts and runs fine every time but there is a 1-3 second pause from turning the key until the starter engages. I saw this thread which seems to be the same issue minus the starter staying engaged for them (maybe I'm headed that way in the future).

Anyway, I don't think I can test the ignition switch the same way as that thread since I'm not having the problem of it starting in the "on" position. Maybe I can take the same wire from the switch (the one going to the starter relay) and see if there is a delay from turning the key to start and until the meter reads 12v. Then I'd at least know it wasn't starter related.

Are there other tests of it I can run? Just want to be sure before throwing money at a switch.


As a side note: I already have VATS bypassed so I know that isn't the problem.

[tigger]

Yeah, ign switch sounds likely after reading that thread...

You could send 12V straight to the starter solenoid to rule that out; then swap out the relay with a known good one to rule that out. By process of elimination, you're only left with the switch (since VATS is disabled).

When my switch was going out, you couldn't turn the key immediately to START, you'd get nothing. But if you turned it to ON, paused 2-3 seconds, then turned to START, it would start every time. Haha!

[RCA1186]

Well it didn't do it again for the rest of the day yesterday. So looks like this will be an annoying issue to track down. Unless it gets worse.

[southstar]

I own that car in the other thread now. Still cranking good all these years later. Good luck .

[RCA1186]

So I was mistaken, started the car with the door open yesterday. You can hear a click, then the pause, then it starts. Maybe the starter relay....hmm

[RCA1186]

So here is a video of the problem. This involved videoing my car every start up. For this start up, I turned key, let it prime, waited, recorded and then started. You can hear the pause right at the beginning. *Click* then normal start. Sometimes it will click, then delay 2-3 seconds until starting normally. Other times, it will be like this. And other times its all normal...Very strange problem. Well, more an annoyance than a problem at this point.



www.youtube.com/watch?v=_poQ0NX9Q9c

[tigger]

The click sounds like the starter solenoid. Wonder if the contacts are worn inside and it's somehow arcing to make the connection... And why the issue it's more consistant.

[RCA1186]

Jun 13, 2019 12:10:38 GMT -6 tigger said:

The click sounds like the starter solenoid. Wonder if the contacts are worn inside and it's somehow arcing to make the connection... And why the issue it's more consistant.

I once had an issue with the starter, it displayed similar symptoms but the car wouldn't start then. I bought a new starter, pulled the intake and found the nut for the power wire completely backed off (or maybe it was the ground). Either way, tightening it up made it work perfectly again. I don't really want to pull the intake to find out if that's the issue though haha.

Yesterday evening, went to start after rotating the tires and I got the click and then nothing. Held it for over 15 seconds. Then I turned to off and back to try and start it and it started perfect.

This morning I turned to start and it started as if completely normal.