Ghost of Lucas is trying to start my Jensen Healey

[Answerman]

Hey everyone... here's a weird one. Ms. Jenavieve has done this three times in the past few days. It only happens once, and only when starting for the first time of the day.

Steps: Put key in ignition. Turn to start position. Starter spins and turns the engine. Engine doesn't start because she never starts on the first try. So far so good, right?

Here's where it gets weird. Release key to on position. Starter continues to turn. Even if I turn the key to lock and remove the key! After about 10 seconds she stops turning over. From there, it's business as usual... try to start again and she works normally.

Scratching my head on this one. Sticking solenoid maybe?

 

[JodyFKerr]

I'd check your wiring.

Step 1: Remove and clean all the connections on the starter.

Step 2: Get into the lotus position and check the ignition and connection under the dash.

The only time the starter should engage is at the Start position on the ignition. If it's continuing to do that you may have bridging contacts and or wiring.

 

[PC]

I had the opposite problem.

My solenoid was sticking just enough to prevent the pinion from engaging the ring gear unless they were perfectly aligned. The teeth would just touch but not engage deeply or make the contact to spin the motor.

I removed the solenoid, cleaned it, lubed it and put it back. Worked fine ever since. And that was over twenty years ago.

The power lead to the starter is always hot. It doesn't go through the dash. So the question is; does the power to the solenoid stay on after you switch the key off? Or is power to the solenoid off and something mechanical keeps holding the starter pinion out and the contactor switched on?

You could check that with a volt meter on the switched lead to the solenoid.



pc

 

[DrEntropy]

Some ancient memory synapse fired here, something to do with a diode in either the seatbelt warning or handbrake light circuit.

There are a bunch of multi-wire connectors in that thing, as Jody noted. Clean the contacts in the engine harness "junction" and the one from the iggy switch under-dash for sure.

The solenoid sticking at "engaged" wouldn't be out of the question either.

I've stared at a wiring diagram here and don't find the diode I thought I recalled. :eeek: (I've the "Factory Workshop Manual")

I <span style="font-style: italic">can</span> say that the white/blue wire at position #3 in the 5-wire connector from the iggy switch is to power the radio... not much help for the starter issue tho.

OH! And welcome aboard, Michael!

 

[JPSmit]

FWIW the Midget had the same issue and it was a diode. Never really able to isolate it ( I removed all the diodes and it still did it) so, unplugging the plug to the sensor for the brake failure switch solved the problem.

 

[Answerman]

Thanks for the suggestions... I haven't had a chance to look into it yet. My thinking (not as a mechanic, which I am not, but as an electrician, which I was for 10 years) is to get my Fluke in there on the solenoid terminal from the ignition switch and have my son give the key a turn. If the 12v stops as soon as he releases the switch, then my guess would be that the contacts in the solenoid aren't releasing right away.

Which is basically what PC suggested, I think

Might be a while before I get back to it now. This weekend was spent installing a new running board support on my Excursion (the real 7' piece of corrugated steel support, not the plastic cover which "looks" like it's the running board), which was way more of a job than I thought it was going to be. The old one was basically Swiss cheese and 12 years of road crap doesn't make for easily removed fasteners.

 

[Answerman]

Actually wasn't long at all. Pulled the wire from the solenoid, hooked it up to the Fluke. 12 when the key is turned, nothing when it isn't.

I'm betting that the contacts in the solenoid aren't releasing right away when the key is released. Maybe a rebuild over the winter.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

 

[Dale]

Thought I had my solenoid problem fixed twice. Finally replaced the whole hootenanny with one of those geared starters based on a japanese motor. End of problem. Two years and thousands of miles.

 

[JodyFKerr]

Thought I had my solenoid problem fixed twice. Finally replaced the whole hootenanny with one of those geared starters based on a japanese motor. End of problem. Two years and thousands of miles.

Those gear reduction starters are really slick, and they weigh SO MUCH LESS. When I swapped the stock starter out of my TR8 I nearly crushed myself with it. :wink: