hey everyone, about 2 weeks ago my protege all of a sudden wouldn't start at all. the starter wouldn't even turn. so i went under there and jumped across the 2 terminals right at the starter, and then it would start with the key. it started fine for about 2 weeks, and then today it did it again. i did the same thing, and now it's starting fine. what could it be!??? is it a bad starter??? also, why does jumping the terminals fix it??? is it a dead spot??

thanks in advance

 

sounds like the starter solonoid is going bad, or possibly your ignition switch.....i think in 1st gens the starter and solonoid are a single unit so youll have to replace the starter to fix it if thats the case

 

yeah, i think it's a "dead spot" on the starter motor, but i can't figure out why touching the 2 terminals together gets it to turn.

thanks for the input.

anyone else?

 

well that's why i think its the starter switch or the solonoid, because by bridging the starter contacts you are essentially bypassing them both and applying current directly to the starter

 

what do you mean, starter switch? the switch on the steering column where the key goes??

 

correct.

 

ok, thanks, i'm almost positive it's the starter, thanks for your help.

 

try checking your engine grounds first that was my prolem and i had similar symtoms like you