My 98 Cabrio wont start!

[sailorella]

I drove it to work yesterday and it was fine but when I went to leave it took 3 or 4 times turning the key to get it to start. I drove across the street picked up some groceries and then when I came back out and tried to start it it did nothing. The lights and radio come on but its not turning over. Tried to jump the battery (which is brand new) and it did nothing. NEED HELP! Is it my starter??

[CajunSpike]

Starting to sound like maybe your ignition switch has a problem.

turn the key to the on position, then try manually cranking the starter by connecting the solenoid wire with the battery wire, on the starter. if you're not sure how to do this, say so.

if it starts by 'hotwiring the starter' but not with the key....i'd be buying a new electrical end of the key switch.

i just got a cabrio myself..not an expert...yet.

[sailorella]

Thank you for the help! I definitely do not know how to do that though haha anyway you could be more specific about where the wires are located?? Ill try that

[CajunSpike]

the starter is on the front side of the transmission.

A heavy wire goes from the positive side of the battery to the starter solenoid.
A thin wire goes from the key switch to the solenoid.

Another thick, short wire goes from the solenoid to the starter motor.

Unplug the thin wire going to the solenoid.
Grab a piece of wire about 3 feet long.

touch one end of the wire to where that thin wire plugged into the solenoid.
for a second or two, touch the other end of the wire to the positive side of the battery.

it may make sparks, but if you do it right, the motor will spin over.

this will confirm if the starter is good or bad.

spins - good
no spin = try again make sure you make good connection, or bad starter.

Ask a friend for help if you can't follow this.

[Sanityana]

Sounds like a bad key switch...

[tolusina]

Does this car have an auto or manual transmission?