Looking for troubleshooting on an ongoing starting issue. At first we thought the starter went bad, so we replaced it, 3x in fact. I started to troubleshoot to see if it was really a starter issue or a ground issue. So the next time my car wouldn't turn over (no clicking, no engine noise, the fuel pump engages, all lights work) I simply disconnected the battery for 15 seconds and then reconnected it. Starts up no problem. It will stay fixed for days, or weeks... I don't know if it's related, but the right rear brake light wire doesn't have a current.

 

The starting circuit is pretty simple. The + battery cable from the battery is the power source for the starter motor and the engine block is the ground for the starter motor. The small black/wht wire will get 12V when you turn the key to start the car.

Disconnecting the battery should not reset anything in the starter circuit. You may want to disconnect the battery and clean all ends with a wire brush or sandpaper. Clean the bolts as well. Are the connections on the battery cables to the battery OEM or an aftermarket replacement?

It is tough to get a volt meter on the small black wire, because the intake is in the way. You want to verify that you have 12V to that wire when you turn the key to start the car, but the starter does nothing.

Your brake light is likely unrelated. What wire has no power?

 

When I put a bulb in the brake light does not work, but the other lights work. Tried multiple lights, it's just a dead wire. As far as the battery goes, it's clean, everything is stock. It's strange, as soon as I disconnect and reconnect the battery, the car starts just fine. I will have to look for the little black and white wire and get back to you.

 

If you replaced the starter yourself, the blk/wht wire is the small wire that connects to the starter. You'll have to test for voltage on that wire when the car doesn't start.

As for the battery cables, clean all ends, so where the + cable connects to the fuse box. Where the - end connects to the fuse box and sub-frame.

For the brake light, the problem can be the power wire or ground wire. Use a volt meter to verify that the wht/blk wire has 12V when the brake pedal is pressed. Use a bare metal bolt nearby as your body ground. If you have voltage, then the blk wire could be the issue.

 

Here are some photos. I will have to wait to test the black wire when the car doesn't start, it could be weeks. I don't see any loose connections or corrosion.