Today's electrical puzzle: Car only starts with door open.

[IwantMKIII]

Just that. Car will only turn over when the driver door is open.

Obviously something is linked with the door switch. When the door is closed everything turns off like it should, just doesn't crank.

The previous owner said it had an aftermarket alarm however i have found no signs of that except a cheap radio shack flip switch which is broken. Stock alarm works fine.

Suggestions where to start looking, short of that flip switch?

This is a 89 supra however uses pre-89 motor mount system, production date was 11/88 IIRC

 

[kwnate]

what happens if you bypass the switch?

 

[IwantMKIII]

This is a possibility, however the car would always think the door is open. Or do you mean the unkown radio shack switch

 

[kwnate]

This is a possibility, however the car would always think the door is open. Or do you mean the unkown radio shack switch

unknown radio shack switch.

 

[IwantMKIII]

i need to replace it however my new radiator blew out (mishimoto, lasted 3 days, getting a replacement thursday) so in the mean time i get to twiddle my thumbs. though i guess i could just pull the wiring. Not sure if its in the on or off position.

 

[lewis15498]

I'd keep looking for that aftermarket alarm hiden somewhere. I had an accord with an aftermarket alarm go bezerk, it make the car do several weird things including locking the doors constantly.(you could unlock it manually but the alarm would immediately relock it). removed the system and patched the ignition wiring back together(had ignition kill) and never had any more problems.

 

[buckshotglass]

Close door?

 

[arz]

Best place to hide the alarm is behind the glove box.

No luck there?

 

[IwantMKIII]

^Nope, nothing. I'll trace the mystery switch wires and see if i can find anything tomorrow.

I do know the ignition wires near the steering wheel are untouched. I attempted to install a pnp turbo timer (HKS) and everything was normal.

 

[IwantMKIII]

switch traced and it was already disconnected so it must be something else.

 

[89nasupra]

did you try tracing the door switch wires and see if they are spliced some where under the drivers side dash or in the kick panel near the pedals?

 

[lewis15498]

"thats just fackin weird, i have no idea!"

maybe the factory alarm system is causing problems?