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Erratic Starting

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KVH

KVH

Obi Wan
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Sometimes it starts and sometimes I get a single click under the hood. My battery shows strong using specific gravity test and volt meter. When I remove and reattach the cables and retry it usually catches and starts so I'm suspicious about connections--but they all look clean and I'm more inclined to believe it was the "retrying" and not dirty cables since they're darn clean anyway-- all the time. I use a star washer for the ground cable and my solenoid is very new. I'm reluctant to think its the starter but is that the only culprit left? My cable from the solenoid to the starter is not loose and looks fine. Thx
 
What happens if you turn on the headlights while trying to start? Do they go out when you get the "click-nothing"? If so, that pretty well proves that it is something upstream from the starter solenoid, like a bad connection or whatnot. FWIW I have even seen the conductors inside the battery break, making it seem to work perfectly and pass all tests, until the break opens up while trying to start.

Another test is to temporarily hook up a test light from the starter terminal to ground (preferably the starter body or a mounting bolt), and lead it out where you can see it while trying to start the engine. If that light comes on during the "click-nothing", the problem pretty much has to be the starter.
 
OKAY I'll try that--will that test light need to be on a heavy gauge wire--the one to the starter is huge of course. Thx
 
KVH said:
OKAY I'll try that--will that test light need to be on a heavy gauge wire--the one to the starter is huge of course. Thx
Click to expand...
Nope, just ordinary lamp cord or similar will do fine. It only has to carry the current for the test light bulb, less than 1 amp. The starter of course draws hundreds of amps, hence the heavy cables.

Apropos of absolutely nothing, a vintage hit from the Spinal Tappets just came up on the jukebox : "Are you grinding through the gears, dropping out of overdrive? Are you tossing down some beers, looking for some local dive?"
https://www.snic-braaapp.org/UAT/media/Tappetstry/Spinal Tappets - Grindin Through The Gears.mp3

Just thot I'd share, in case some hadn't heard it.
 
I'll be testing in the morning, but one more question: If the light comes on, but all I get is a click, couldn't that still mean just "not enough" power to the starter?

BTW, Steely Dan was good. Way ahead of themselves.
 
The starter should make a credible attempt at turning the engine on as little as 6 volts. Depending on the light you use, it might come on, but should be noticeably dim.

Gee, can we even mention Steely Dan on this forum?
:devilgrin:
 
As I have been writing the last few days, I have my oil pan reassembled, new filter and fresh oil. So I tried to start to check for leaks and I heard that "click nothing" sound. I can't hardly wait til tomorrow to try this test light test.
 
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