hi,I am new to this site,I think it' excellent.To my problem: Sometimes when I try to start my TS automatic sedan,nothing happens.I then have to resort to connecting a cable from the positive battery terminal to the solenoid to make it start.I have ruled out: bad battery,solenoid of starter motor,starter motor itself.I am asking all members if they know what type of relay/fusible links there are between the battery and the starter motor,as this has to be the only possible cause there is.Maybe they blew.I would be very grateful for any information/advice on this. I also would appreciate if someone could tell me how to take out the back seat(both parts,seat and back).Thanks for your help.

Hello,

The only suggestion i can give about your auto starting problem is your neutral safety switch. This switch makes it so if you car isnt in P or N it wouldnt start, perhaps your switch is dodgy. However, not having an auto i dont remember if it would stop the car turning over, or if it just stops it from starting.

:stoopid:

also check your ignition switch as these are a problem in these cars, it will generally be an internittent problem.

You say you have ruled out your solinoid, can be the starter bushes worn and getting stuck

Id try shifting from park to neutral and see if it starts. I had a dodgey shift switch in my previous car (a BMW) and sometimes i just had to move the tbar into neutral to get it to start. Not a major drama.

I would imagine if a fuseable link or relay had blown you wouldnt have the intermittent starts (you say sometimes it starts, sometimes it doesnt.) I didnt know the about the TS ignition switch issue but that would also make sense. Try the auto shift first though.

Back seat lower has two clips, one either side where the passengers legs would be. Just feel under the lip of the seat for a plastic clip, push it in and pull up, the seat should dislodge on that side. Repeat process on the other side and lift the seat right out. Now look for loose change hahaha. The rear upper securing mounts will now be visible- Three of them. Undo and slide the seat up and then out.

hi,thank you,TopGear,for telling me how to take the back seat out. About the starting problem:dodgy neutral switch sounds likely,because I noticed that it goes "tic,tic,tic" a few times when I turn the key,does not do that every time it refuses to start,but sometimes.This noise seems to come from near the gearbox,not from the steering column(where the ignition switch is).So I guess I can rule out ignition switch.Have tried,when it refuses to start,to start it in neutral,but this makes no difference,still does not start.Only the cable works reliably,but I cannot keep doing that.What would a new neutral switch cost and is it easy to install? I hope the switch is easily accessible on the OUTSIDE of the gearbox,not the INSIDE! I don't have a workshop manual,so I would need instructions,just a rough guide will do.Thank you,Madmagna,TopGear and Meph,for your advice.

Having worked on Magna's since they were almost new, I can tell you now to leave tyour shifter where it is, the inhibitor switch, not the neutral safety switch is located on the trans where the shifter shaft enters the trans.

If you are getting clicks, it is your starter motor, the switch does not make any sounds.

The starter can be on it's way out, the simple act of disturbing it when you short the solonoid can be enough to get it going again.

The starter has 4 brushes inside it, these wear and will start showing symptoms by doing exactly what you have described.

Sorry bout the gear shift info i gave you- but like i said, it was a problem on my beemer and i thought it was relevant until you mentioned the clicking sound youre getting. Definitely sounds like a starter motor issue. Hats off to Madmagna.

And you might like to download the TS workshop manual for future reference... I cant remember who posted the original link to this but whoever it was "god bless you".

http://tinyurl.com/9bnl6

Be patient- this is a lengthy download but well worth it. Remember to save it to your hard drive and you'll always have the info at hand.

i had trouble starting ie took alot of cranking till i changed my fuel filter, which i recommend hihgly to do if it hasnt been done.

I di mine today made a big improvment with idle and driving. :D

i also had trouble once with the ignition barrel dropping out slightly and hence the key not engaging the start circuit. there is a small brass screw on the back of the ignition barrel which holds it and the switch together. if the switch is dropping down, the key tip is not turning the switch... its a long shot but happened to mine

hi,I was totally confused about the latest posts,suggesting even more causes! I still thought it must be something between the battery and the starter motor,because when I bridge it over with the cable it works first time,every time.So I cleaned the contact,the clip that is at the starter motor,where it gets power from the battery,and now my car starts every time! BUT I am suspicious that this was the only cause,still worried about it.So I will have to pull out the starter motor and check those brushes after all.And it's so hard to access,argghh.Downloading a whole manual with my slooow computer is going to take forever,quicker to hoof it to the library...I still cross my fingers when I turn that key...

nice problem solving beatrice- congrats.