Won't Start!! Why?

[fishman]

Have you checked to see if the motor itself will rotate. Make sure it's not frozen.

 

[autopar3000]

DartGTDan,
It's probably the most obvious and simplest answer: start motor. But I love to hear people's ideas on this type of thing, so keep them coming everyone!

I wanted to comment on something you wrote: "The car is up on jack stands for the winter. I was hoping I could keep it in running condition throughout the winter."

If you don't plan on driving the car until spring (and judging from your location, you shouldn't), then I would recommend that you disconnect the battery and leave it alone. You're not doing your car any favors by starting it up in cold weather. Sure, you'll keep the battery charged up, but that's just about the only good that can come from starting the car in the winter. Cold starts are so hard on a motor it's just not worth it. Here's my routine for winter storage:
(1) Change the oil & filter. Used oil gives off acidic vapors, so you don't want it sitting around all winter and eating away at the bearings.
(2) Check and make sure the coolant is good and that it won't freeze up.
(3) Put fuel stabilizer in the tank and fill it up. A full gas tank prevents any condensation from forming inside the tank, and will therefore keep water out of the fuel.
(4) Disconnect the battery.

That's it. I used to stack bricks under the frame rails so that if the tires lost air they wouldn't get totally flat, but my tires never seem to go totally flat so that was a waste of time.

You mentioned that the car is on jack stands... I hope you have the jack stands under the rear axle and lower control arms in the front. You don't want to have the suspension totally decompressed all winter, because all the bushings are nicely seated with the suspension under normal load. When you leave the wheels hanging down all winter the bushings will re-seat themselves in that position, and that wears them out much quicker.

 

[Dartnut]

Change the starter to a good one that you know that works. It worked for me and you can eliminate it as the problem, I guarantee that will fix your problem. I say this because you said that your cables and connections are good. If that does't work, I'll bet it's your relay switch on the inner fender.
just my 2 cents!
Tom.:evil4:

 

[Tarr]

and that didn't help and you have proper voltage, the starter is bad.

 

[daredevil]

dont leave us hanging.update

 

[DartGTDan]

OK, finally got some time to do some diagnosing.

The battery is/was fully charged.

I've got +12V at the starter relay's battery feed stud (large stud).

I've got +12V at the "Ignition" (in the Start/Crank position only) stud of the relay.

NSS lead, on the starter relay, shows 0 ohms in "Park/Neutral" and infinite ohms in any gear.

The starter relay's output wire (down to starter solenoid) receives +12V when the ignition key is turned to the Start/Crank position, telling me the starter relay is OK and functioning as usual/expected.

All this being said, I believe the starter is at fault.

I have a newer Denso starter (PN 56027702) which I believe should fit/work.

Can I use the original starter mounting bolts with the newer style starter?

 

[DartGTDan]

Update

Finally got some time, and with the weather in the 40s today, I pulled the old style starter and swapped it with a newer style (#56027707) starter.

Kept my fingers crossed, hit the key, and voila it roared to life!!!