Is there anything I can do to troubleshoot? The lights on all light up, including the dashboard. I tried to jump the car and that didn't change anything. When I turn the key, there is no sound at all.
Location: Westchester
Posts: 26
My VIN: 2410
Is there anything I can do to troubleshoot? The lights on all light up, including the dashboard. I tried to jump the car and that didn't change anything. When I turn the key, there is no sound at all.
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,570
My VIN: 10757 1st place Concourse 1998
Sounds like the starter (or starter solenoid) is bad or just stuck. When was the last time the car was used? Sometimes a solid whack to the starter with a hammer is all it takes to get it to work. If that doesn't work you may have to have to replace or rebuild the starter.
David Teitelbaum
I was there on that day. I will never forget the chill in the air and David, without even mentioning the tech manual, said to a troubled owner "Whack it with a hammer".
Check the simple thing that 1) your starter is connected and getting power first.
- OCT81 DeLorean DMC-12 Vin 5312 "DeLores"
- 1978 Lotus Esprit S2 "Problem Child"
- 1995 Mazda Miata Turbo "Happy Daily Driver"
I repair Lotus's with DeLorean parts
Seriously, DT's comment aside(you should tap it with something non conductive like a wood post, you don't want to ground out the starter post) Look to see if the starter circuit breaker update has been done. The TSB was for vins prior to 2547 which yours falls under. (For anyone reading this don't assume you are safe just because your vin is higher).
Edit: I tried to find a file for the update but I am not having much luck. It's been so long since I did it to mine that I can't remember what I did.
Edit 2: Page 146 and 147. Sorry, best I could find.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...dymZRLFUIs-oAx
Last edited by Michael; 01-09-2021 at 11:26 PM.
Location: Westchester
Posts: 26
My VIN: 2410
Thanks all. I'll try that. I drove it within a week of the problem. It did have to jump in in the previous two weeks, but it always turned over and after I drove it started fine. Not sure if that was connected to this issue.
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,570
My VIN: 10757 1st place Concourse 1998
Location: Westchester
Posts: 26
My VIN: 2410
The car was completely dead today. I tried whacking the starter and then I gave it a jump. It started right up.
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,570
My VIN: 10757 1st place Concourse 1998
You have to figure out why the battery was dead. Could be a short, something staying on or the battery is just no good (or maybe several things). Once you have a fully charged battery you can try to figure things out. If you keep the car outside remember, a dead battery can freeze and once a battery gets frozen it is garbage.
David Teitelbaum