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Starting Problems

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DesertSprite

Jedi Warrior
Offline
Hello,

Okay...I'm having a problem getting the car to start. I went out, pulled the car cover off and got in for a nice sunny drive today, turn the key...and nothing.

I just replaced the battery a couple of weeks ago, so I know its not that. The starter doesn't even turn over. All I hear is the fuel pump (which by the way is getting kind of loud). I popped the hood and looked for loose wires around the starter and pretty much anything else I could find, but everything looks fine to me.

The car started perfectly fine the other day. Now the starter won't even crank over.

Anyone have any suggestions as to where I should start to fix this one?

Joel
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/patriot.gif
 
Joel, the first thing I would check is that the starter isn't stuck in the ring gear. There should be a little square shaft sticking out of the end of the starter. Use a wrench and see if you can turn it. This will back the pinion out of the ring gear if it's stuck. This has happenend to me more times than I can count.
Jeff
 
....or you can put the car in fourth gear and push it back and forth a bit to turn the engine.
 
Just a few turns should do it? If I over-do-it one way or another is the thing going to spill its guts? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I'll go give it a try!

RE: Physical Labor...yes, the Army makes me do enough of that everyday. Sorry Nial, I'll try the wrench first. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/patriot.gif

Joel
 
Joel, just a couple of full turns should be plenty. I just can't remember which way to turn it.
If that doesn't do the trick, you're back to troubleshooting the electrical end of things. Try jumping the solenoid to see if you get any action from the starter.
Please make sure the thing is in neutral first!
Jeff
 
Well, I did both methods. When I went to see if it would start, I could hear the starter spinning or making a whirring sound. But, the engine didn't turn over. Maybe I didn't turn that square knob far enough? I was turning it clockwise FYI.

Joel
 
Okay, I've been on this end of things, too. It sounds now like you are getting low voltage to the starter. (That's usually what causes the things to hang in the ring gear in the first place.)
Make sure the battery is fully charged, and that all the connections at the battery, solenoid, and starter are shiny clean and tight. It's possible that the starter drive is gummed up, but I'd try cleaning things before removing the starter.
Jeff
 
Roger that Jeff. I just replaced the battery, but I'll go clean up all the connections and give it a jump to see if that will help it out.

The engine compartment is a bit grimy. The PO didn't really keep it that immaculate, perhaps some of the road grime is in the way.

mahalos again,
Joel
 
Let us know how it turns out, Joel. I went through a round of this with my '65 right after I bought it. It, too, had suffered some neglect at the hands of a PO.
Jeff
 
Hi Jeff,

I'm sorry to say I just haven't had the time these past two days to take a look at it again. The Army keeps me busy from dawn to dusk, and by the time I get home most days I'm spent.

I'm pretty sure it must be a wire that is disconnected somewhere. Last time I looked, all the connections appeared to be nice and solid, but you never know. Another problem I have, is that the car has a 1275cc motor from a '67 in it, that the PO put a Ford alternator on, and also did some re-wiring (somehow keeping the voltage regulator). So...I guess I have a lot of connections to track down and make sure everything is sorted out.

Joel

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thirsty.gif
 
Ah, yes. I remember those days! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/patriot.gif
I start German classes at work on the 30th. At least I don't have to do calisthenics! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Jeff
 
Joel, I'm in prototype development for a German based tier-1 automotive supplier. There are roughly 220 people at their North American headquarters where I work, and about 90% are Germans that are over here on one or two year tours.
English is the "official" language of the workplace, but they would like everyone to be at least conversant in German as well.
Jeff
 
Sounds quite interesting. If they ever expand into the Chinese market, let me know, perhaps I could be of help.

RE: Starting Problems. I figured it out, but I'll post it in a new topic. There seems to be a new problem.

Joel /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/patriot.gif
 
check the battery ground wire and make sure its doing its thing...i had similar problem and saw that my battery ground really wasn't grounded to the right spot...once changed things worked...also check the sarter terminals a bit grimy but i found one of those terminals had disconnected on the inside...just because it worked yesterday doesn't meen it will work today...bugeye rule #1
 
[ QUOTE ]
Sounds quite interesting. If they ever expand into the Chinese market, let me know, perhaps I could be of help.
Joel /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/patriot.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Joel, they're already expanding their operations in China.
That seems to be the latest automotive hotbed.
Jeff
 
Well, if you guys ever need a translator in a couple of years, let me know. I did minor in German in college and the Army is training me to speak Chinese...

Joel
 
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