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Still not starting...
- Thread starter JordanB
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aeronca65t
Great Pumpkin
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You're pointing at the solonoid.
Assuming all good connections and battery..... are you *sure* the starter is not jammed? (I believe someone else mentioned this too). These "bendix-type" starters get jammed more often than they should (mine jams about twice a year....it jammed last week, in fact). Solution is: put the car in gear (4th is good) and push it forward and backward, so that the engine turns (ignition OFF, of course). This will "un-jam" the starter gear from the flywheel.
If this isn't it, could be a bad solonoid. The solonoid has two heavy wires going to it (also one or two small wires). One heavy wire goes to starter and other heavy wire goes to battery. Use a jumper cable to connect these two heavy wires (be SURE that car is in neutral and be SURE that you don't have hands near engine fan or any other moving parts). If engine turns over when you do this, solonoid (or solonoid connections) may be bad.
Assuming all good connections and battery..... are you *sure* the starter is not jammed? (I believe someone else mentioned this too). These "bendix-type" starters get jammed more often than they should (mine jams about twice a year....it jammed last week, in fact). Solution is: put the car in gear (4th is good) and push it forward and backward, so that the engine turns (ignition OFF, of course). This will "un-jam" the starter gear from the flywheel.
If this isn't it, could be a bad solonoid. The solonoid has two heavy wires going to it (also one or two small wires). One heavy wire goes to starter and other heavy wire goes to battery. Use a jumper cable to connect these two heavy wires (be SURE that car is in neutral and be SURE that you don't have hands near engine fan or any other moving parts). If engine turns over when you do this, solonoid (or solonoid connections) may be bad.
coldplugs
Darth Vader
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<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by JordanB:
The battery is great, all connections are good and clean
<hr></blockquote>
Have you tried putting the headlights on for a minute or so? The battery may seem ok until you put a bit of a load on it. A low battery can click the solenoid but not turn the starter. See if the headlights stay bright (easiest in a garage, obviously). Try to start it with the lights on & see what they do - a good battery & connections will dim a bit. If the lights suddenly do out completely it's usually connections. This plus the suggestion re bypassing the solenoid in the previous post will eliminate the battery, cables, (most) connections, and solenoid as likely culprits.
Probabilities would then be connections after the solenoid, the starter itself, or the drive/ring gear.
John C
The battery is great, all connections are good and clean
<hr></blockquote>
Have you tried putting the headlights on for a minute or so? The battery may seem ok until you put a bit of a load on it. A low battery can click the solenoid but not turn the starter. See if the headlights stay bright (easiest in a garage, obviously). Try to start it with the lights on & see what they do - a good battery & connections will dim a bit. If the lights suddenly do out completely it's usually connections. This plus the suggestion re bypassing the solenoid in the previous post will eliminate the battery, cables, (most) connections, and solenoid as likely culprits.
Probabilities would then be connections after the solenoid, the starter itself, or the drive/ring gear.
John C
I agree with the above suggestions. My 71 B clicked like that for a few months (I didn't have time to fix it or drive it). What threw me off was the lights came on really bright. I was looking for all sorts of weird problems.
I learnt my lesson. When the battery finally died from numerous starting attempts, I charged it up. It started fine. Boy did I feel like an idiot.
If this is the case with your car you might want to investigate the cause of the battery having a slow leak (i.e. slowly going flat). Mine turned out to be both the alternator and a small short.
Good luck,
Matt
I learnt my lesson. When the battery finally died from numerous starting attempts, I charged it up. It started fine. Boy did I feel like an idiot.
If this is the case with your car you might want to investigate the cause of the battery having a slow leak (i.e. slowly going flat). Mine turned out to be both the alternator and a small short.
Good luck,
Matt
Took battery to Les Schwab, they put it under load and said it was fine, maybe a bit low(12.3). Let it charge 6 hrs.
I rocked the car in gear, nothing.
Direct wired the battery to starter, nothing.
Cleaned, and tightened ground strap, nothing.
Banged on starter with hammer, nothing.
Turned on lights, and tried to start, lights dimmed about half way.
[ 06-26-2002: Message edited by: JordanB ]</p>
I rocked the car in gear, nothing.
Direct wired the battery to starter, nothing.
Cleaned, and tightened ground strap, nothing.
Banged on starter with hammer, nothing.
Turned on lights, and tried to start, lights dimmed about half way.
[ 06-26-2002: Message edited by: JordanB ]</p>
aeronca65t
Great Pumpkin
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My work is done here....go forth, young Jedi...
