starting problem

[tahoe healey]

Went to start my BJ8 this morning and it turned over for a second with out starting. All power seems to be on. Remote starter cranks nicely. Will crank with the key now. I'm guessing the ignition switch or wires from it have gone bad. (Fuses seem OK) Any other places to look before I have to remove the radio and all? I hate all the spaghetti wiring behind that panel. Fix one wire and pull two others out.
TH

 

[GregW]

Hi Rich,
With the key on, check the white wires at the fuse block for voltage. If yes, your switch is most likely OK for another hundred miles.

 

[RAC68]

Hi TH,

I am a little confused. Will it crank using the key-switch? Although you seem to indicate it will, the rest of your post seems to indicate the opposite. Will the car start with the key in the run position and starter activated by the solenoid button?

If the ignition key does not trigger the starter and all other switched-power components function (unit only work with ignition on i.e. wipers, etc.), then you are getting power to the switch. If you receive 12v at the solenoid with the ignition switch at start, your ignition switch is OK and the solenoid is at question. If no power is present at the solenoid when the key is at start, the line or switch is bad.

If no switched power components are functioning (or 12v is not present at the white wires connected to the fuse block), with the key in the run position, your switch is defective or is not being fed power from the regulator. If no power is at the switch, I would check the brown wire connections at the switch and regulator.

Based upon my experiences, I would check connections at the solenoid and regulator first.

All the best,
Ray 64BJ8P1

 

[tahoe healey]

Thanks for the fast responses.
When I first tried to start it the key did crank the engine but never fired. Then it stopped and would not crank again with the key. It will crank with the remote starter. I have not tried Greg's suggestion yet. I am also suspicious of the solenoid. I will also be trying Ray's suggestion. I just ordered a new solenoid from Moss 10 minutes ago. Norman Nock thought it sounded like a problem 2 years ago and walked me through a "fix" (just banged it with a screw driver handle I haven't tried that yet, either). I really don't remember if it was the exact same problem.
Again thanks for the fast help.
TH

 

[Keoke]

Hey TH, What happens when you press the little button on the end of the solenoid ? Does it crank good? If so Normans shock treatment may work ,also a bit of penetrating oil around the cylinder may do it too.--Fwiw Keoke

 

[tahoe healey]

Keoke, that is the remote starter I was referring to. It does crank nicely. I will give it a try this evening.

 

[GregW]

Just had a thought, is that pesky white/black wire hooked up to your battery cut-off switch?

 

[tahoe healey]

Yes, but I would not have gotten the initial turn-over if it was faulty.

 

[tahoe healey]

Well, I banged the solenoid with a small hammer and it worked. Thanks, Norman. Once again you have come through for me. I will carry the new solenoid in the boot cause I know this will happen again. This does not mean that I don't have a poor connection somewhere which I will be checking out.
Thanks for all the help.
TH

 

[Deleted member 8987]

You don't need a spare solenoid or fuel pump.
Just a hammer, right?

 

[tahoe healey]

Right there along with duct-tape and bailing wire. I nicked named it THOR.