Ok.. 1997 Eclipse. 2.4 liter, non-turbo.

I turn the key and nothing happens. Battery is fine, dash lights come on when I turn the key to the on position. Starter doesn't make a noise. Any ideas where to start? If it was the starter, I'd think it would at least click or something. Ignition??

Weird thing is is that it's just a sudden thing. It's never done anything like this before. I started it up, drove about 1 mile to the store. Came out of the store and then there was the problem.

Any ideas will be appreciated.

 

Ok, I got a chance to look at it real quick again and I think I could here a sound at the starter. Not a clicking sound, but maybe more of a hit that it is getting power to it. I'll take off the starter tomorrow and get it tested.

 

I have the same engine you have except in it's a 98. I had a problem with my starter. I could hear it trying to turn, but sometimes it wouldn't start on the first try. The dealer told me that it was the starter and I had it replaced. I've had no problems with it since. I'm sure it's just your starter and nothing else.

 

I took a friend to look at it with me so that he could listen to hear where the faint "click" was coming from when I turned the key (just one click though)... he could hear that it was at the starter... that eliminated it being the ignition or starter relay...so, I pretty much knew it was the starter. We tapped it a couple of times with a crowbar, then tried to start it up again and it worked. So, I guess something in the starter must've locked up or gotten jammed (bendix??).. I don't know if it's a sign that the starter is going out or if it was just a rare thing... I'll keep an eye on it. If it happens again, I'll replace the starter. I looked at autozone.com and it was only like $100 for another one.

The starter seems a little tricky to get to though. Is it easiest to remove it by going in from the top or bottom of the engine? I couldn't even get a good look at it.

 

youll most likely have to attack it from the top and bottom, if i remember correctly there are 2 bolts on top and one on the bottom..............