I checked the battery and all that stuff. I believe a I had the same problem a couple of years ago and it was the ICM. But, my dad tells me that should not keep the engine from turning over, although I swear that was the case last time. Can anybody tell me if a bad ICM will keep the starter from turning over or not??

 

Starter will work even if the ICM is bad. That component only controls power to the coil to fire the spark plugs. So the engine would crank but not start.

Jump the starter directly with this procedure. Make sure the car is in neutral (Park if automatic) and the brake set. Leave the key off. Disconnect the small wire from the starter. While standing to the side of the car (in case it tries to move despite taking the precaution of shifting to neutral and setting the brake), connect a test wire from the terminal on the starter to the plus terminal of the battery. Engine should crank; of course it won't start because the key is off. This tests the starter, battery, and the big power and ground wires between them.

If that works, the clutch switch (if manual) or shift lever interlock switch (if automatic) are a common cause of the starter not engaging when you turn the key. It could also be the key switch itself or a blown fuse.

 

NO, the ICM has not effect on the starter. Wire power directly to the starter with the transmission in neutral to see if the starter turns the engine. If so, check for a bad starter switch located at the top of the clutch pedal.

 

It is very crowded in there and I cannot tell which wire I am supposed to be taking off to check the starter. There is the obvious power coming straight from the battery. Otherwise they all look about the same(black).
I'm guessing you're gonna tell me the starter can quit anytime, but doesn't it generally give some warning signs that it's going out??

 

 

Found the starter online and tested it; works fine. Must be switch then??
Switch is at top of pedal?? That's gonna be fun.

 

Anybody got a fuse diagram so I can see which one is for the starter?

 

Switch is indeed at the top of the clutch pedal. If the car has factory cruise control, there will be two switches on the pedal; the upper one is for the starter. Unplug the switch and put a jumper wire in the car side of the plug, then try to start.