radiator fan kicks on and car will not start

[agreatguy]

I went to start my car today and everything was normal except when i turned my keys to the last position (on) before start my radiator fan kicked on... I paused for a moment think that was rather odd because it had never done that before, and when I went to crank it on... nothing. no attempt to turn over at all. If I sit there for a while the fan will eventually stop spinning and when I turn the key to start again, I hear a click and the fan kicks on again. I do not think its the battery, its less than 6 months old and the terminal connections are immaculate. Maybe starter? but the radiator fan kicking on is what bugs me, it never does that and its only 60 degrees outside. If my temperature probe went bad could it make my car think is was overheating and keep it from starting?


Other details:
1995 MX-3 4cyl standard
- When i switch the key to 'start' all the accessories flip off (dash clock, radio, dome lights etc) but I think that might be normal.
- I checked all the fuses and they are fine.
- Last night the car had a little trouble starting (took a little longer than usual cranking before the engine started) but it started just fine for the return trip home.
- just the right radiator fan (sitting on the car facing forward) turns on.
- has only 108,000 miles

[shameem]

Do you have A/C? and is the AC switch on?

[agreatguy]

Yes I have AC but the button to it is off, I actually tried both on and off and does not seem to make a difference.

[shameem]

Press the clutch in harder and make sure the neutral safety switch is correctly engaged - other wise the engine wont even turn over.
Also make sure all the grounds are proper...

[agreatguy]

I reached down and physically held in the clutch button in and nothing changed. I checked the grounds but I'm not sure what to do beyond wiggling them to make sure they are snug and connected. I was playing around with the wires to the fan and unplugged these two small black boxes at the top left part of the engine bay (looking at the engine from the front) and that didn't fix it but when i plugged them back in and now the fan will not turn off (it would eventually turn off after a while before)

[umcamara]

I'd have to say starter. If you can, try jumping the starter directly, and see if it turns over. Did the starter give you any previous trouble to indicate that it may be on the outs?

How long have you owned the car for? Does it have a remote starter or alarm installed?

[agreatguy]

I am not sure how to jump my starter directly, you mean connecting jumper cables to the starter and my battery?
I have had it for about 7 years. The starter had been working perfectly, they only thing that has been acting up lately is she leaks a little oil and the hand break light comes on and off randomly.
I do not have a remote starter but I do have an alarm, It was installed by best-buy about a year and a half ago... I'm not totally sure if it has starter interrupt, I think its just a bump sensor but I'm not positive, I haven't really touched the thing. I guess I'll follow my alarm wires tomorrow morning and see if it has something to block it from starting, that radiator fan turning on is bugging me tho, I still think the two are related some how. don't know how tho.

[SuperK]

My handbrake light has JUST started doing the same thing, and it happened right when my RS started having trouble starting.

I blame it on my bad grounds. Check the ground which is right next to the valve cover, on the right hand side. It will be above the thermostat housing, upper right hand corner.
If this isn't grounded, the started will completely refuse to turn over. A bad ground will yield poor starting.

[inferno94]

The hand break light (at least on my 323) comes on 1 due to the break being on and 2 due to low fluid in the resivoir (sensor), I'd check that.

And you should make sure ther'se power to the starter could be a fuse anything but if ther'se power, good fuses and its grounded but its still not working the starter is probably dead. This is usually accompanied by a burning smell when you try to use it. Try the jumper cable thing to confirm (checking both solenoid and motor while your there).

I've had my 323 for years and all of a sudden the alt went, I tried a used one it crapped out. Then a rebuilt one went in, I had my charging system light on alot and the battery was always low but didn't die, I tore apart the car trying to find the cause came up empty handed. Then I got a free replacement for my rebuild it has worked wonderfully ever since.

The moral of the story gremlins (like in bugs bunny) are real and EVIL!!!!

[agreatguy]

FIXED IT!!

It was indeed a bad ground wire, yanked out the old one and stuck in a new and it works like a champ! Now to get rid of the burning oil smell...

[Smith18]

FIXED IT!!

It was indeed a bad ground wire, yanked out the old one and stuck in a new and it works like a champ! Now to get rid of the burning oil smell...

HAHA holy! thats awesome!