Cressida not starting

[enth]

I've got a small problem with my '87 Cressida. It wont turn over. All the fuses look okay. All the electrics seem to be fine. I'm thinking it might be the starter motor but just want to be 100% sure before I go and replace it.

Help please.

[Bling]

What does it do when you try and start it. Any noises? Battery is 100% good and tested?

[enth]

Battery is fine. Even charged it. Makes this weird almost hissing noise instead of the normal "turning over" noise.

[Crucible]

Jump it off another car, if it starts test or replace battery.

No start, check for 12v at at solenoid. If you have power there run another earth from engine to battery with jumper cable to make sure earths are good. Still no go.

pull starter and bench test.

[enth]

Okay so I swapped the starter motor out with a brand spanking new one. Jumped the car. Twisted the key and nothing

Still makes the same noise as before, it's like this hissing sound. Really weird.

Only thing I think it could be is there is something wrong with the gear selector or something along that road, it is a very old auto after all.

Does any one know how to by pass the auto pre-start thing so it can start in any selection?

[matt dunn]

Turn on the inside light or headlights, and see what happens when you try to start it.
Do they dim a little or almost go out completely?

Sounds to me like bad battery terminals

[solitaire]

Did you do all the tests cruicible said? they seem pretty comprehensive...

[Crucible]

Does any one know how to by pass the auto pre-start thing so it can start in any selection?

check for 12v at at solenoid

Checking + at solenoid will rule out inhibitor switch. Check the basics first as above and battery terminals like matt said. Make sure you have good earth from engine - battery also, reason i mentioned running jumper lead to rule out grounds

Earths are the other half of a complete circuit and just as important as the power side!

[enth]

Turn on the inside light or headlights, and see what happens when you try to start it.
Do they dim a little or almost go out completely?

Sounds to me like bad battery terminals

The lights on the inside of the car go dim when I try turn it over.

I've tested the points with a multimeter and when trying to crank and can see it's getting power and drawing it down when trying to crank it.

If only it was manual

[solitaire]

Ive tested it with a multimeter before and still found the terminals to be bad once it starts trying to draw big amps, as crucible said i reckon you should clean your terminals, try a different battery and check the closest earth to your starter motor

[Crucible]

Have you checked over what has been suggested? Post up exactely how you have carried out the tests and it will be a bit easier to help. It really only takes 10 mins to diagnose starting faults but Im not sure you are ruling things out properly?