I just bought a 2002 with 40,000 miles. Car is sweet!! Took an all day drive and stalled it at our apartment security gate.Car refused to start by the start button. Let it roll back and decided to call my road ER service but let it sit for 10 minutes and it started as normal. I am going to have problems with key and start system or is it a low battery?

 

Not enough info to tell.

Did it crank over and not start? Did it click but not turn over? No click, no nothing?

With those answers we can start pointing you in directions to troubleshoot

 

I let it roll back out of the way and 10-15 minutes later it started with out any trouble. It did not click rather the START button just did not function but later did.

 

You might have multiple issues going on at once. If the start button doesn't work at all, and the battery checks out to be fine, the first thing I would check would be the plastic grommet.

 

I am guessing that unless it cranked over slowly, the fact that it started a few minutes later probably indicates the battery is ok. So start with the following:

Battery leads/terminals - Take them off and make sure they are clean. Clean them with a terminal cleaner brush (you can get one for a few bucks at a parts store if you dont have one) and make sure they are securely connected. Generally once it fails to start in this case, it will not start until you clean them, but I have seen it be more intermittent and this is the easiest item to check.

Check the clutch switch as the previous poster said. For an initial test, you can just try starting it a few times to see if it fails again. If it does not start, but after release and press the clutch again a few times it does start, it may be that switch.

Check battery voltage. Again if it is starting up just fine sometimes this is likely not the cause. If other items check out ok though it is easy enough to check if you have a meter. Should read about 12.6V with the key off. Should read in the mid/upper 13V range when the car is running. Your symptoms do not sound like this is the cause though.

When you pressed the button and it did not start, did you notice if all the dash lights went out when you pressed the button, or did they all stay on but nothing else happened? If the latter, the clutch switch or an issue with the start button or relay may be what you are looking for here. If the dash lights go out when you press it then it is more likely an issue with the battery or battery leads.

The other item could be the starter. You typically will still hear a click but the starter wont turn in that case, but we will see if the other items solve it first.

 

Some excellent suggestions here.

One other, very remote, but very serious possibility, seizing of the thrust bearing (aka thrust washer). Its a washer shaped bearing that takes the load on crank from clutch placing a crank walk force against it as clutch is operated.

A few cars have had issues with this bearing. In virtually all cases, the symptoms were stall and no restart, then starts fine after it cools down. But if left unresolved, the engine soon becomes totaled.

When the engine has stalled, the engine is also seized up tight. It can't be made to spin.

So if it happens again, check if engine will spin. You have to do this right away, before anything cools down. Put car in sixth, get out and try to push the car. If the car will move at all while in gear (clutch not pressed), you're fine, forget I ever mentioned this. Engine rotates when you push car while in gear. If it can rotate, this is not your issue.

Try it now so you know what it should feel like to push car and get engine to rotate. Note, key should be off doing this test. Don't want to accidentally bump start it.

If car will not move at all doing this test, get back to us right away.

 

That is a possibility. Hoping though that since he heard no click that it was not that (would hear it try to engage but engine would not spin). But yes, if it is clicking but not cranking over and battery is good that is one possibility that would be worst case. .

 

Grommets are good. Starts good (for now). Dealer wants to charge me mechanic hourly to check it all out. They say replacing START button is common.Hit some rough railroad tracks before problem occurred. Maybe starter ground was loose. If it happens again I will have to push start and have dealer look at it as is more than a once off. One more item: 18 year old vehicle has some rust issues(undercarriage). No surprise as last owner was in PA. I am not DIY and need some advice on having the problem addressed by a "professional" that is willing to remove the worst and prevent it from getting worse. Thoughts anyone?

 

Do not bring this car to a dealer. Dealer is always the worst place to bring any car for service. None more than this car. Dealers rarely see these cars.

Most are incompetent, yet think they know more than anyone, and overcharge for everything.

Want evidence? I've never ever heard of tbe Start button going bad on one of these cars. You have to remove the dash to replace tbe button. I can only imagine how badly they would rip you off for that unneeded service.

 

Never heard of a start button going bad with all my years here either.