2003 starting issue not cranking

[Pip2003]

2003 with 312K miles. by wont start I mean all you can here when the key is turned is a click. One day it will start and I can drive it around all day; turning it off and re starting. If I let it sit all night, it won't start(not even turn over). I put two new batteries and went ahead and replaced the starter since I had one. Initially, it started up and ran like usual. The next day, same thing wont start. Is there are starter relay? because I can't find one.

It seems also that leaving the battery cables off and then reattaching them the next day will lead to a good start.

 

[AEdelheit]

If it is an automatic make sure the gear selector indicator shows as being in park, its fairly common for them to be out of adjustment and it wont start. You can also try moving the shifter around next time it wont start and see if that makes it start.

 

[Pip2003]

Thanks. I probably should have said that it is a standard shift 5 speed. Thought about the neutral safety switch but it does the same thing with shifter in neutral position. There was an unusual progression of things though. Months ago, it started to drag on occasion when turning over. Finally, it got to a point where I had to jump it off a couple of time. The it stopped dragging and started do this intermittent starting. I replaced both batteries and it still did it. Replaced the started and it worked for one day; next day same thing.

 

[p-Bar]

Thanks. I probably should have said that it is a standard shift 5 speed. Thought about the neutral safety switch but it does the same thing with shifter in neutral position. There was an unusual progression of things though. Months ago, it started to drag on occasion when turning over. Finally, it got to a point where I had to jump it off a couple of time. The it stopped dragging and started do this intermittent starting. I replaced both batteries and it still did it. Replaced the started and it worked for one day; next day same thing.

sounds like a bad battery cable

 

[Pip2003]

Finally took it to a mechanic. When I find out the fix I will post to the thread for the benefit of others.

 

[jhenderson]

The neutral safety switch has nothing to do with gear position. It mounts to the clutch pedal and mine became problematic at about 250,000 miles. I bypassed it.