Electrical short problem and question

[mtnbob]

Car wouldn't start tonight. Battery was fine, clicking under the hood, just once every time i turned the key, not repeatedly like when the starter is going out. While i turned the steering wheel, the horn beeped a little own its own then stopped. I couldn't jumpstart it, nothing happened. I managed to push start it my self(thank god it starts easy), and drove it 35 miles home with no problem. When i shut it off in the driveway, it restarted easily like nothing was ever wrong. I know these things don't fix themselves for long :wink: Any suggestions where to start? Could there a connection between the steering making the horn sound a little, and the car not starting? Would the relay make any difference? I had my cold start relay replaced with a used one(all I could find at the time). I bought one to have a spare anyway. Or doesn't that only affect the glow plugs?

[burn_your_money]

What is a cold start relay? the x-relay?

It sounds like you have a bad ground from the engine to the battery. You can check it for voltage drop. Anything over 0.2v while the cable is carrying a load (ie cranking) and the cable needs to be replaced or the connection cleaned/tightened.

[mtnbob]

ok ty
it kinda worries me though when the horn is slightly triggered from turning the steering wheel. wondering if i have a short in there. :shock:

[burn_your_money]

The steering rack has it's own ground to body... I think. Unless that's only mk1s... or chevettes. It's too late for this kind of thinking