Occasional no start '94 Voyager

Upon turning the key, no dash lights or fuel pump sound but it will crank easily. When I do get lights and fuel pump sound, starts easily. Suspect ASD. Correct? TIA

Reply to
D-Day
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The first suspect is the ignition switch.

Reply to
Steve N.

Thanks! If it is the ignition switch, would it still crank (starter turning over) every time without fail?

Reply to
D-Day

Yes...... The ignition switch not only engages the starter, but also powers the ignition system. When you turn the key to start the engine, it rotates to "ON" and powers everything up, and as you continue turning the key to "Start" it cranks the engine, and the engine will start if the ignition is supplying power to fire the sparkplugs, run the fuel pump,etc. If the ignition is not energized, the battery will crank the engine until the battery is dead and not start, because there is no fuel pressure or ignition spark. You said that you can sometimes turn the key to "ON" and the dash lights don't come on and you don't hear the fuel pump run. So, the first thing to suspect is the ignition switch which powers those two things. When the electrical contacts inside the switch start to go bad, they get intermittent and sometimes make contact and sometimes don't. If you turn the key to "ON" and the dash lights don't go on, try playing with the key and slightly wiggle it back & forth a little and see if the dash lights come on. A new ignition switch is only about $25 at Autozone (or equivalent).

Reply to
Steve N.

Thanks so much. Excellent description and much appreciated!

Of course, as is the way with intermittent problems I cannot now replicate it. I did replace the ASD with a known, good relay but will continue to suspect the ignition switch until I can inspect/ replace it.

Thanks again!

Reply to
D-Day

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