The 1998, 2 door, RWD, 1.6L, 5 speed, with 101K miles I just purchased is in excellent shape, especially the body. A bit dirty from sitting for six years but otherwise excellent. It needs tires but what I'm having trouble with is getting it started. I searched this forum and couldn't find anything that describes my particular issue.

When you turn the key I hear a click from the starter area but it will not turn over the engine. It will start right up, however, if I rock it back and forth while in gear, step on the clutch pedal, and turn the key.

I completely pulled the battery connections apart and cleaned them. There is 12.4 volts across the battery terminals while not running. There is 12.4 volts when connecting the multimeter from the positive battery terminal and a ground on the engine. I crawled underneath and was surprised that the starter looks brand new. The connections on the starter were tightened just to be sure. The spade connector was pulled off, cleaned, and tightened with a pair of pliers. After I do get it started by rocking it back and forth, it will start back up again if I try almost right away. If I wait any length of time it will just click again.

I have been working on cars my entire life and I'm stumped. Because it turns over after rocking back and forth it makes me think there is some kind of position sensor involved. Do any of the Tracker experts out there know what it could be?

I appreciate any and all inputs. Thank you all.

 

if I rock it back and forth

I'm really bad with pronouns. What "it" are you rocking back and forth?

 

The vehicle itself.

 

Trace the current path from battery positive to battery negative and you will see the only "clicking" component
is the starter motor solenoid. If it clicks every time, your switches and wiring are good. The problem is in the starter.



The most likely cause is pitted contacts on the "clicking" relay inside the solenoid.



Pitting causes a poor connection. Voltage is equal to current times resistance. The starter draws the most current of any device in the car. So even a small resistance in the solenoid contacts will produce a significant voltage drop. If your battery is 12 volts and you're losing 6 volts across the contacts, you only have 6 volts left across the starter motor. The motor will not turn. You will hear a "click" and nothing else will happen. There is no easy way to test the contacts on the car. You might narrow down the problem by gently tapping on the solenoid with a wooden broomstick handle instead of rocking the whole car. You might even be able to tap the solenoid while some one else holds the key in START. If the starter (motor and bearings, etc) is good, you can pay a starter repair shop to replace the solenoid. I did that recently on my Tracker.

 

Probably time for a starter rebuild or replacement. Have someone hold the key in start position and tap the starter with a hammer. If it starts time for new starter. MAKE SURE IN NEUTRAL AND CLUTCH PUSHED! If it sat for six years there's probably corrosion in the starter as discussed above. There are good vids on line to help you DIY starter repair if you are so inclined.

 

Thank you both. It makes sense about sitting for such a long time. I'll try your suggestions and go from there. Thanks again.

 

So I replaced the starter with a new one. Not rebuilt. What a pain that was. I still have the problem. I get a click when turning the key. After I get it started it is fine. It will start back up if it is a minutes after. Now what? Lol. Ignition switch?

 

Earlier you said "I hear a click from the starter area." Let's investigate that first. Place a finger on the starter solenoid body and have someone turn the key to START. Can you feel the sound coming from the solenoid? If you can, the ignition switch is not the problem. If the starter has been ruled out, the next most likely issue is a poor connection between the battery and the starter. Earlier you also said "I completely pulled the battery connections apart and cleaned them." So if the battery connections are clean and tight you may have an issue where the battery cable connector attaches to battery cable's copper wire.


It is not uncommon for corrosion to build up at the connection.


There are four starter connectors -- two on the positive, two on the negative. While some one holds the key in START, wiggle the wire going into each connector. If the starter fires up you've found the problem.

 

So it has been a week since replacing the starter. Amazingly it has started every time I try to start it. I drove it all week without a problem. I think it was just sleeping from sitting for that six years. Things just needed to be used is what I'm thinking now. I put tires on it earlier in the week. The ones on it were 12 years old and had plenty of dry rot cracking. I can now use it for what I got it for. Flat towing behind my motorhome. I'm happy. Thank you for the help, guys.

 

Do your best to keep it happy and drive it weekly!