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Stranded Again...

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J

jhorutz

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It's been awhile since I've posted. My 74 midget WAS running great but now left me stranded once again for the 3rd time in as many weeks.
I turn the key and the lights all work, the battery is fully charged, but nothing happens under the hood. I hear it click but no noise from fuel pump and the engine doesn't crank. I just had a new started put in. My thoughts are selenoid or ignition in the steering column. Any other toughts or things to check would greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
The time has come for some basic electrical troubleshooting! Find yourself a voltmeter, or at least a test lamp, and start at the switch. Check each connection for voltage, and I'll bet you a beer you'll find a point where you lose it. I'll bet you find that there's voltage on the terminal coming into the ignition switch and none on the terminal where it comes out of the switch, which tells you something about the condition of the switch. Another likely place where you might lose it is the fuse block.

The nice thing about electricity is that almost always you can find the problem clearly and unequivocally. Can't say that about a carburetor.
 
Yesterday I had to clean my fuses. Power was not getting from one side of fuse to the other because of build up on between fuse and fuse holder. two fuses were like that
 
Bad battery connections would be my guess. Clean them all up and see how it does. Many times its nothing more than that, especially when you have two different things involved. The starter gets power from the solenoid which comes straight from the battery. The fuel pump gets power from the wire(usually white) coming from the switch. Sometimes the headlights will work good until you hit the starter and the connection breaks, then they will come back on again. A starter is a dead short and pull mega current when ingaged.
 
Is the square drive on the bendix on the starter jammed? You need a 1/4" wrench to turn the little square nut back in. Bendix gets gunk on it and then does not wind back in when the starter disengages. Next time you go to start the car and nothing happens. Has happened to me 3 times in last 1o years, I always carry a short adjustable box wrench to fix on the fly with me.
 
Not sure what the click is. It's definitely under the hood though. I can't pin point it when under there though. Hopefully get to diagnosing this weekend since I have the extra day. I appreciate all the help from everyone and will let you know what happens.
 
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