Starter problem

[gloryaccordy]

OK I got a JDM F22B swap.

Sicne I got the car back I've been having issues with the starter. The old starter stopped working; it looks like there's a problem with the wire from the key to the starter or starter relay. Fine. I jump the starter relay to the battery, no dice, so I get a new starter and install a temporary push start button.

OK, so now I have the new starter, push start button all wired and ready to go. It fires up fine on the first try and a few tries after.

A few starts later... the starter dies again!!!!!!!!

I jump the relay right to the battery (even though that is what the push button start was basically) and the starter doesn't crank...the starter starts smoking! It can't be the wire to the starter either cause I jumped that with a brand new jumper cable and it still didn't crank.

My question is, what could I possibly have done to destroy the starter? Install is pretty straight forward- two bolts, two wires, and even with the push button setup it worked initially. The only thing I can think of is that I may have pushed the push start button w/o having the key in in a frantic effort to get the car started, but even then that just means it won't start; it would still crank.

What the fuck is the deal???? This is driving me, and more importantly my GF nuts

[Fake Thug]

from how you describe whats going I dont think the starter itself is the problem.You might have fubared/fried it though. I dont know what happened during install but I would go back and recheck the starter circuit. The quickest way I eliminate possible starter problems is to bridge the solenoid post terminals with a screw driver or something metal. If it cranks the starter is good, if it slips, or doesn't crank at all but you hear a clunk the starter is bad or the engine is siezed. Did you check for voltage drop? How many volts are you getting at the starter itelf when cranking? First check the continuity from the battery cable to the starter. Right there will tell you right away if your wiring is compromised. Also check yor battery cables/terminals.

[gloryaccordy]

It was the ground wire under the starter. I changed that, and in changing the starter again I must have moved it around and loosened it, so there was no connection between the negative battery terminal and the engine. I tightened it, hooked up my push button start and it starts right up now. Just gotta replace the starter to + terminal cable