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Key won't start the car but a screwdriver will! #2781233
06/03/20 10:03 PM
06/03/20 10:03 PM
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Tri-Cities, Washington
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VITC_GTX Offline OP
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One out of every 40-50 fire-ups the road runner will not turn over. When I turn the key I get absolutely nothing. No clicking, no whirling, no sound what-so-ever. So I've learned that if I get a screwdriver and bump the starter by connecting the power lead to the solenoid at the starter the engine will then turn over just fine using the key.

So why does happen?

Re: Key won't start the car but a screwdriver will! [Re: VITC_GTX] #2781243
06/03/20 10:34 PM
06/03/20 10:34 PM
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Grand Prairie,Texas
stumpy Offline
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If it's an automatic try starting it in neutral. Your neutral safety switch may not be activated. Your shift linkage could need adjustment.

Re: Key won't start the car but a screwdriver will! [Re: VITC_GTX] #2781261
06/03/20 11:14 PM
06/03/20 11:14 PM
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Auburn WA
Dave_J Offline
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The starter relay could be bad.
The netural switch or wire could be bad. If stick, does it have a clutch in switch?
The YELLOW wire from the Ignition switch to the starter relay could be bad. This could be in the bulkhead connector plug or at the ignition switch.

This is where a simple 12 volt test light is a good thing to have. It has a clamp on the long wire and a sharp probe tip to check connectors.


Test light.jpg
Last edited by Dave_J; 06/03/20 11:20 PM.

Retired, US ARMY 1973-1994
ASE mechanic, Electrical 1994-1997
Retired GTE/VERIZON/FRONTIER 1997-2015


Posting cheap tech help (CRAP) here since Nov 97, 1000's of posts, some may be good.

03 Suzuki Burgman 650(Burger King) Scooter
65 Formula S Cuda
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Re: Key won't start the car but a screwdriver will! [Re: stumpy] #2781262
06/03/20 11:16 PM
06/03/20 11:16 PM
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Tri-Cities, Washington
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Originally Posted by stumpy
If it's an automatic try starting it in neutral. Your neutral safety switch may not be activated. Your shift linkage could need adjustment.


Good thought but it is a four speed.

Re: Key won't start the car but a screwdriver will! [Re: Dave_J] #2781263
06/03/20 11:20 PM
06/03/20 11:20 PM
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Tri-Cities, Washington
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Originally Posted by Dave_J
The starter relay could be bad.
The YELLOW wire from the Ignition switch to the starter relay could be bad. This could be in the bulkhead connector plug or at the ignition switch.

This is where a simple 12 volt test light is a good thing to have. It has a clamp on the long wire and a sharp probe tip to check connectors.



I beat the heck out of the relay but that didn't seem to help. I may try replacing it, they're not too expensive.

I guess I could see a bad connection being the culprit but I'm surprised that bumping the solenoid would fix the problem every time.

Re: Key won't start the car but a screwdriver will! [Re: VITC_GTX] #2781265
06/03/20 11:32 PM
06/03/20 11:32 PM
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Auburn WA
Dave_J Offline
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You are bypassing the relays inside contacts when you screwdriver the two lugs on the relay.

Some 4 speed cars has a switch on the clutch pedal that goes the the neutral switch of a starter relay too.

Tri-Cities is 150 miles too far for me to drop over to help, sorry.

If you had that test light I posted above I can tell you how to test each section, one at a time. Just throwing a starter relay on may fix it but there are other things to test too.

Last edited by Dave_J; 06/03/20 11:34 PM.

Retired, US ARMY 1973-1994
ASE mechanic, Electrical 1994-1997
Retired GTE/VERIZON/FRONTIER 1997-2015


Posting cheap tech help (CRAP) here since Nov 97, 1000's of posts, some may be good.

03 Suzuki Burgman 650(Burger King) Scooter
65 Formula S Cuda
78 Little Red Express Truck
98 Buick Regal (wifes car)
Re: Key won't start the car but a screwdriver will! [Re: Dave_J] #2781272
06/03/20 11:59 PM
06/03/20 11:59 PM
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I had a 4-speed '68 B-body that from time to time had the same thing happen.
Wiggling the yellow wire at the relay would "fix" it for awhile.
Found the post was kinda loose.
Replaced the relay, and no problems since.

Re: Key won't start the car but a screwdriver will! [Re: Dave_J] #2781277
06/04/20 01:08 AM
06/04/20 01:08 AM
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Auburn WA
Dave_J Offline
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The Auto and stick shift relays are different. RockRuto has repop ones.

4 speed relay.jpgAuto relay.jpg

Retired, US ARMY 1973-1994
ASE mechanic, Electrical 1994-1997
Retired GTE/VERIZON/FRONTIER 1997-2015


Posting cheap tech help (CRAP) here since Nov 97, 1000's of posts, some may be good.

03 Suzuki Burgman 650(Burger King) Scooter
65 Formula S Cuda
78 Little Red Express Truck
98 Buick Regal (wifes car)
Re: Key won't start the car but a screwdriver will! [Re: Dave_J] #2781280
06/04/20 01:51 AM
06/04/20 01:51 AM
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Tri-Cities, Washington
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Originally Posted by Dave_J
You are bypassing the relays inside contacts when you screwdriver the two lugs on the relay.

Some 4 speed cars has a switch on the clutch pedal that goes the the neutral switch of a starter relay too.

Tri-Cities is 150 miles too far for me to drop over to help, sorry.

If you had that test light I posted above I can tell you how to test each section, one at a time. Just throwing a starter relay on may fix it but there are other things to test too.


I do have one of the old test lights and can test the system. The next time it happens I'll chase it down with the test light. Of course, it usually does it when I'm in a parking lot somewhere not when I'm home!

Thanks for the good advice.

Re: Key won't start the car but a screwdriver will! [Re: VITC_GTX] #2781283
06/04/20 02:29 AM
06/04/20 02:29 AM
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Auburn WA
Dave_J Offline
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With it happening 1 out of 50 starts, maybe just throw a new relay on. Then if it does it again you can chase it.

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS SR106 $16.22 from RockAuto, $22.94 with shipping and Govenor's share.


Retired, US ARMY 1973-1994
ASE mechanic, Electrical 1994-1997
Retired GTE/VERIZON/FRONTIER 1997-2015


Posting cheap tech help (CRAP) here since Nov 97, 1000's of posts, some may be good.

03 Suzuki Burgman 650(Burger King) Scooter
65 Formula S Cuda
78 Little Red Express Truck
98 Buick Regal (wifes car)
Re: Key won't start the car but a screwdriver will! [Re: Dave_J] #2781284
06/04/20 02:40 AM
06/04/20 02:40 AM
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Tri-Cities, Washington
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Originally Posted by Dave_J
With it happening 1 out of 50 starts, maybe just throw a new relay on. Then if it does it again you can chase it.

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS SR106 $16.22 from RockAuto, $22.94 with shipping and Govenor's share.


Yep, that's the way to go. Thanks.

Re: Key won't start the car but a screwdriver will! [Re: Dave_J] #2781285
06/04/20 02:52 AM
06/04/20 02:52 AM
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Valencia, España
NachoRT74 Offline
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Originally Posted by Dave_J
The Auto and stick shift relays are different. RockRuto has repop ones.



That changed by the 70 where manuals used the same than autos too ( or it was 69? Can't recall ), needing to press the clutch pedal


With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
Re: Key won't start the car but a screwdriver will! [Re: NachoRT74] #2781341
06/04/20 11:10 AM
06/04/20 11:10 AM
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Yes, S4 is a ground.
In a pinch, the AT relay just needs a short ground wire from there to a mounting bolt to work on a 4-speed car.
Also a clever way to rig up an anti-theft device...







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