[BIGCAMMY]

my 90 model vitara was running and starting fine until l parked it in the drive way before going out again when l went back to start it and go out again there was nothing at all no clicks no nothing, all the power in the car dies as perusual when u start the car but nothing happens, any ideas. yes it does still run if u clutch start it.

[FullyZooked]

Dude use full stops before my brain starts to melt!

First of all, what do you mean nothing happens? Does the starter motor engage and turn the engine?

Then you go on to say it starts with the clutch in?

[BIGCAMMY]

sorry, alittle flustered.
when you turn the key in the ignition to start, nothing happens, no it doesnt turn over the motor it doesnt even make a sound. but u can put the ignition to ON and roll it down a hill and drop the clutch to start it.
the starter motor will not turn over, or just do anything.

[Boneheimer]

Dead starter motor? Does everything light up when you turn the key to accessories?

edit: Just re-read your first post, so everything lights up and then dims when you turn the key to start? I'd probably still say your starter motor has kicked the bucket, or loose cables, just check your terminals and starter wires and see if it will start.

[BIGCAMMY]

yes everything lights and dims when you turn the key to start.
how could it just die with absolute no warning, it was working fine one minute then dead the next?

[Boneheimer]

Happened to me with a few of my other cars, runs fine, then it doesn't start.

Just make sure it isn't a cable thats worked loose when driving before you go out and drop some cash on another starter.
Maybe someone else on here will have another idea?

[pyrohamish]

Hit the starter with a block of wood or such and it will probably go.
Stuck starters are pretty common.

[BIGCAMMY]

yeah l have hit it with a steel bar, didnt help, my mates sierra had that problem once as well.

[gregwatkins75]

I would be more inclined to say battery is dead.....I had similar problem a month ago..........According to those in the know. Batteries just DIE sometimes.

Theres also a little wire on a tab on the back of the starter motor, attached to a solenoid, it this falls of due to age - mine did 6 months ago, then it wont do a thing. I stripped the wire back re -lugged it, plugged it back on and away it went

[FullyZooked]

As above. Check connections to starter.

What I would be checking is the battery. Check voltage across terminals when trying to crank engine. It's simple enough to jump start off another car or try another battery to rule it out as the problem.

[HarryHoudini]

gregwatkins75 wrote:

I would be more inclined to say battery is dead.....I had similar problem a month ago..........According to those in the know. Batteries just DIE sometimes.

Theres also a little wire on a tab on the back of the starter motor, attached to a solenoid, it this falls of due to age - mine did 6 months ago, then it wont do a thing. I stripped the wire back re -lugged it, plugged it back on and away it went

Yep,i've had the same problem,for some reason on Suzuki's the "little wire on a tab..." corrodes & doesn't make clean contact ,you have to also clean with sandpaper the lug on the solenoid.

[BIGCAMMY]

l think the battery is ok but have no idea how to check it. it started this morning first kick, just like there was no problem yesterday, although it failed to start the following attempt, so l gave the soliniod a hit and the car has started everytime since, hope it stays that way.

[FullyZooked]

A+ for preventative maintenance!