3rd Gen no crank, not start, no clue. Should I shoot it?

Well, my 2000 Limited 6 cyl/auto has been sitting a lot during COVID while I worked from home. I finally had to put in a new battery in, followed by new connectors on the battery, then eventually I tried a new starter, then a new starter relay in the fuse box. Nada.

With the key in, dash lights come on like they should as well as blinking security system light on the center dash. Seems I have plenty juice, but when I turn the key it all goes dark - nothing. Won't jump either. I checked battery connections with a meter and used the jumper cables on the ground to see if that was good. I even ran a wire to the starter to check continuity. All good.

Maybe a fuse? But which one? I pulled a few that I suspected but haven't found a bad one. Or the security system is acting up perhaps? It doesn't have any kind of reset button that I've read about for other 4Rs. It does have some wonky electrical stuff like window actuators and door locks that don't work properly. And I haven't used the key fob in years. I hate to think it's something screwed up in the actual ignition switch.

It's been a trusty old work truck I bought cheap, fixed some things, but I'm about ready to actually go out there, take my pistol, and ceremonially shoot it. If you'd like to help me save it from utter destruction, maybe you can think of something. Thanks!

 

Sounds like a bad connection somewhere.

 

It sure seem like it, but I cannot figure out which one. I ran a lead to the starter from the battery to see if there's continuity and it's good. I also used jumper cables to ground the battery and that didn't help. What else would it be? I'm stumped. Or dumb. Or old.

Oh dang it. I'm heading back out there. . .

 

Make sure everything is tight and clean. I’m sure you have, but sometimes you can’t see corrosion on old connections. Good luck!

 

Thanks. Meter is telling me things are good. Could it be that a cable isn't carrying enough voltage to the starter? Grasping for straws and thinking about that pistol . . .

 

Yeah. Probably going to have to shoot it.

 

With multiple electrical problems you have I would certainly check your grounds and make sure there's squeaky clean and on bare metal. Replace the bolts that ground your battery. I had to do this in my '05 Tacoma earlier this year.

It also wouldn't be the first time I heard of a security system or the ignition being issues. Often ignition problems can be related to heavy sets of keys.

 

Thanks. I tidied everything up good. I also put a meter on the negative battery post and checked continuity by connecting to the engine block. All good. Seems that current is running through the lines. So, yeah, I may have to do a deep dive into the security system. If it's the actual ignition switch, I may be done. Don't think that's a simple one. We'll see.

 

There might not be continuity under load maybe check that too.

 

by all means...check out ignition..i had a similar problem with A 1990 Isuzu Trooper..years of a cache of heavy keychain...eventually wore out the ignition..and it was a @#$%* trying to locate a replacement....finally I DID..(took 2 weeks) shouldn't be a problem with your vehicle...parts are still somewhat easy to obtain

 

Does the security system use a chipped key? Never put 2 chipped keys on the same keyring. They will interfere with starting.

How long was the battery disconnected? I have a 2008 Mazda 3 with the security system that suddenly woke up after I removed the battery for a few hours. I had to remove that system from the car.

I'm thinking either ignition switch or security system.

 

Thanks! I think that's got to be it. It is pretty worn out. Keys are sticky, sometimes hard to turn and have gotten stuck from time to time. I have sprayed it with silicone in the past. It was that way when I bought it 4 years ago. I found a few videos yesterday where I can pop it out and take it to a locksmith and have it rebuilt. Going to call around tomorrow and see if there's a locksmith around that can do that. It looks like I can replace it with an aftermarket if I want to, but then that's two different sets of keys. So I think I'm going to give this a try.

I really appreciate everyone's help. I will re-post the solution on this thread if I manage to get it figured out. Or, I'll post video of me shooting it!

 

I haven't used the key fob in years because it broke off at the little ring. I have used the same key for as long as I have had it and tried the spare withe he same result. Maybe having it sit for so long somehow just did the ignition in. It's even more sticky than it was I'd say.

 

Hello i have an issue like yours, do you solve this??

thanks for the advise

 

Is it in park? Embarrassing story (and cautionary tale): Long ago, I had an early Bronco with an automatic. Wife and I came home one day and I had to GO. Pulled in, shut it down, ran into the house. It wouldn't start after. I went through everything and finally resorted to jumping direct to the starter. Luckily my wife was in it and I wasn't in front of it. That could have been very bad. As soon as I touched the cable to the battery, it roared to life and took off. She slammed on the brakes, slid to a stop in a cloud of dust (V8, very high cold idle, gravel driveway), and threw it into park. Ding, ding, ding! The key was so worn that I could take it out even with the truck running. My 3rd gen key is the same.

Assuming it is in park, is the safety switch operating?

Finally, since you plan to remove the ignition switch, maybe you can hotwire it? I have much more experience wrenching on old cars, so I don't know if that's a BAD IDEA on a modern car with a security system. Check it out first, if you do try it, but it seems like a logical test of the ignition switch.

Dean

 

So . . . did you shoot it?

 

Yeah!! What's the good word.

 

Probably mice chewed some wiring while parked for so long