98 fozzy won't start after front end collision

couchfuzzy · 12-14-2012, 10:22 PM

Got this car from a friend whose wife rear ended someone at about 25, didnt break the grille or headlights, aside from a couple mounting tabe...but the frame damage on the lower radiator support and mostly driver's side, folded over where the towhook is..and the airbags went off....

The car drives fine as the damage didnt tweak much,(beside the obvois frame damage) but it did push the fans into the pulleys a bit, enough to crack the timing cover and pop the belt off the alt....

I got the plastic out of the cover and ended up just breaking it off to expose the hole here:

The timing belt seems to have enough tension and i replaced the serp. Belt and removed the radiator and cooling stuff... turned the key and just got a click, not a dead battery click, we were under jumper cables at one point... itsounded like a relay but thats it, im not sure where to go from here..

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RaceFaceXC · 12-14-2012, 11:42 PM

Is there an immobilizer system on this vehicle? Is it an automatic or manual transmission? As a safety feature on some vehicles several systems are disabled after a collision. Might be another place to investigate

couchfuzzy · 12-15-2012, 12:08 AM

Its a manual, from what I've been searching that sounds likely, although im not sure how to disable it..I'm not sure if its the same as the factory alarm override button which I can't find either..

Car seems good when key is 'on'...all lights and everything is normal ...but when turned to start, only silence and dark

Charlie-III · 12-15-2012, 08:48 AM

Does everything electrical die when it goes click (lights, etc. go off)??

If so, double check the main battery cables, neg to ground, positive to fuses & starter.

Before starting, I would pull the timing cover and likely replace the timing belt (you say serpentine belt, was this the timing belt?)

I believe most immobilizers kill the start circuit, so you wouldn't get the "click".

Storm · 12-15-2012, 11:31 AM

I'd start with the obvious stuff. Put a 22mm socket on the crank pulley to make sure the motor still turns. Then, as suggested earlier, pull the timing covers and check the timing belt and pulleys (this is a damage prone area in front hits). If that all checks out good, look at the starter itself. The hit might have knocked the small gauge solenoid wire off the back of the starter (unlikely, but ya never know).

I don't believe there's an impact triggered immobilizer on these cars. If there were, it would likely shut the fuel off at the pump only.

Good luck,
Jay

couchfuzzy · 03-06-2013, 07:19 PM

a bit late, but since i dont like leaving threads open, i found the problem was that the main (+) wire was pulled away from the terminal of the battery, but the accessory one was there...

so simple!

Charlie-III · 03-09-2013, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by couchfuzzy

a bit late, but since i dont like leaving threads open, i found the problem was that the main (+) wire was pulled away from the terminal of the battery, but the accessory one was there...

so simple!

LOL..... stupid stuff sucks. Glad it's fixed though.

Thanks for closing this out, it can help someone else down the road.

12-14-2012, 10:22 PM	#1
couchfuzzy Scooby Newbie Member#: 320301 Join Date: May 2012 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: E. Wash Vehicle: 1995 Legacy GT-B	98 fozzy won't start after front end collision Got this car from a friend whose wife rear ended someone at about 25, didnt break the grille or headlights, aside from a couple mounting tabe...but the frame damage on the lower radiator support and mostly driver's side, folded over where the towhook is..and the airbags went off.... The car drives fine as the damage didnt tweak much,(beside the obvois frame damage) but it did push the fans into the pulleys a bit, enough to crack the timing cover and pop the belt off the alt.... I got the plastic out of the cover and ended up just breaking it off to expose the hole here: The timing belt seems to have enough tension and i replaced the serp. Belt and removed the radiator and cooling stuff... turned the key and just got a click, not a dead battery click, we were under jumper cables at one point... itsounded like a relay but thats it, im not sure where to go from here.. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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12-14-2012, 11:42 PM	#2
RaceFaceXC Scooby Specialist Member#: 165749 Join Date: Dec 2007 Chapter/Region: South East Location: stupid Florida Vehicle: 2007 No YELLING on the bus!	Is there an immobilizer system on this vehicle? Is it an automatic or manual transmission? As a safety feature on some vehicles several systems are disabled after a collision. Might be another place to investigate

12-15-2012, 12:08 AM	#3
couchfuzzy Scooby Newbie Member#: 320301 Join Date: May 2012 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: E. Wash Vehicle: 1995 Legacy GT-B	Its a manual, from what I've been searching that sounds likely, although im not sure how to disable it..I'm not sure if its the same as the factory alarm override button which I can't find either.. Car seems good when key is 'on'...all lights and everything is normal ...but when turned to start, only silence and dark

12-15-2012, 08:48 AM	#4
Charlie-III Scooby Specialist Member#: 30669 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: 07456, North NJ Vehicle: 1998 Legacy 2.5GT Silver Sleeper Wagon	Does everything electrical die when it goes click (lights, etc. go off)?? If so, double check the main battery cables, neg to ground, positive to fuses & starter. Before starting, I would pull the timing cover and likely replace the timing belt (you say serpentine belt, was this the timing belt?) I believe most immobilizers kill the start circuit, so you wouldn't get the "click".

12-15-2012, 11:31 AM	#5
Storm Scooby Guru Member#: 5218 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: SAUL'S Motorsports Vehicle: 96L Most Over- Developed Beater	I'd start with the obvious stuff. Put a 22mm socket on the crank pulley to make sure the motor still turns. Then, as suggested earlier, pull the timing covers and check the timing belt and pulleys (this is a damage prone area in front hits). If that all checks out good, look at the starter itself. The hit might have knocked the small gauge solenoid wire off the back of the starter (unlikely, but ya never know). I don't believe there's an impact triggered immobilizer on these cars. If there were, it would likely shut the fuel off at the pump only. Good luck, Jay

03-06-2013, 07:19 PM	#6
couchfuzzy Scooby Newbie Member#: 320301 Join Date: May 2012 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: E. Wash Vehicle: 1995 Legacy GT-B	a bit late, but since i dont like leaving threads open, i found the problem was that the main (+) wire was pulled away from the terminal of the battery, but the accessory one was there... so simple!