I have a 1990 744 Regina Rex with 213K miles. It has a no crank, no start problem that comes and goes. This problem could last for hours or even days in the cold weather, and all of a sudden, just start up at the turn of the key. This happened yesterday.. I started the car, drove about a block to the gas station, turned off the car to put air in a tyre (about 90 seconds) jump in, turn the key... and... nothing. Dash lights all work. No crank, no click, NOTHING. This happened to me last year also on several occasions. What I end up doing is jumping the starter from the power to the solenoid, and it starts up. Sometimes, this will end the problem for a few days, sometimes a month, sometimes not at all, I have to keep jumping it. What is going on?? This does not occur during the summer. I can't see it as a fuel or ignition problem... crank sensor does not fit either. I have replaced the ignition switch with a new one. Recent tune up... cap, rotor, plugs, wires and coil wire. Recent change of Fuel relay also, but this changed nothing. What am I missing here???

 

From the sounds of it, it could be the ignition switch - or, perhaps - the neutral safety switch. I am assuming it is an automatic. Is the shift selector sloppy? When you have this problem next time, try pressing forward on the shift selector when you try to start it.

Also, check all of the connections from the battery to the starter for corrosion. Also check the engine grounds.

 

I have already replaced ignition switch... no help there, and the old one was probably good because it does the same thing. I could check neutral safety switch... but have already jiggled shift selector while turning key, with no luck. I have cleaned and checked battery posts and wires to starter and ground. Everything is good. I am guessing jumping the starter will bypass the safety switch, because the car will start with this method. Is there a way to bypass neutral safety switch all together if that is the problem???

 

I would test the neutral safety switch. It is in the shift console. Remove the cover and the switch is buried in there. According to my Haynes manual, there should be 2 blue wires coming from it. It also shows those wires going to a junction box somewhere. Jumpering the two blue wires together should bypass the switch.

The Haynes manual shows the two blue wires going to a junction box which would be a good location to bypass the switch. Unfortunately, the Haynes book is extremely poor at showing where this junction box is located in the car.

 

I was looking through my Chilton book and they list a few tests done with the diagnostic box on driver side shock tower in test #6 for ignition. Was going to try those today. I will try the safety switch bypass right now first. Thanks, I will let you know what happens.

 

OK ACT1292... thanks for all the help. Finally got started and took her for a ride... making stops to turn her off and back on. No problems. I took a look at the Safety Switch, it was gunked up with grease from the shifter release. I cleaned up the contacts with some alcohol on a Q-Tip, put it all back together, and she started right up. Thanks for the idea... it seemed the quickest, easiest thing to check first... and it worked.