starting issue...

N

nativeson

Registered
we got some rain yesterday here in southern cali...i work a nightshift and my car was parked in a garage at the mall i was working at...she started up fine and everything was normal...i got it out on the wet roadway and i stopped for a cup of coffee and once i was on the go again...the car would not start, no click, no cranking...everything else seemed to be working fine in the car...i tried to start it in neutral, shifted through all gears and tried it again, nothing...finally i was just going to get it towed, i positioned the car to get picked up and just for the spite of it i tried it again and the car started...once i got it home, parked it and tried to start it again...nothing, same problem again...

what i'm reading is that it may be the starter solenoid...the starter looks as if it may be the original mortorcraft unit...so im thinking, thats probably the issue...i wanted to get it tested but that darn thing is hard to get out...then i read that it may be the PATS system, but a faulty starter solenoid will make the PATS not work properly...

anybody have any ideas on this issue, or a better way to get the starter out that i may be overlooking...


thanks in advance...
 
Sounds like the starter solenoid to me. But first check the solenoid wire connection at the starter. It's just a push-on locking spade connection. Chances are with the age of the car it may just be corroded and not making a good connection at times.
 
thanks for the reply driller...

i got a new positive cable to run that's 2 guage...then looking at the small connector, i figured that i'd change that too cus it is dirty lookin...

trying to get the starter out got my patience running low so im done for the night, tomorrow i'll run that new cable with the small wire and see how that works...
 
Sounds to me it works when COLD....so it may be an heat related connector/wire problem....expansion/retraction.
 
You could always bang on the starter when its not working, that usually jump starts the solenoid. If it works, you know the starter is toast. :) That is ofcourse if all your other attempts don't work.

While you're down there you could use a volt meter and see if you're getting all the voltage to the solenoid.
 
On my first gen a couple of bangs would make it work.
The soleniod was crapped.

replaced the solenoid {requires starter removal) and the car still had the orignal start on it when it was stolen.

the little push connector ground wire is also a common culprit in this area.. it's got a cheesy male spade connector coming from the solenoid.

Sometimes you can pull that connector off and put it back and the car will start for awhile.
 
UPDATE...

well i just figured the solenoid was shot on the starter...once i got it out of the car i went to go get it checked...the voltage and current output was fine, passed all testing...but there was no test for a faulty solenoid...i figured i'd just make the change out, run a new positive cable and small wire for the solenoid connection for everything to be fresh...once i got it all in, the car started up just fine and it has been okay...

another fix to put in the books...thanks for the suggestions guys, have a good weekend...

-darren
 
Starter Removal

Starter Removal

How difficult was the removal of the starter; how did you get the top bolt out?

I need to do the same thing.

STAN-LSC
 
Car won't start!

Car won't start!

Sorry about that. Since the last post I changed the battery terminals, however I am getting current at the starter. When I turn the key I can hear a moaning sound coming from the area of the starter.
 
Ok, that sounds like a starter going bad, lol. You can test the voltage AT the starter while someone trys to crank it. Check the signal wire for 12 volts AND the main power wire for 12 volts. It shouldn't drop below 11 unless its majorly loading up or the connection is bad.
 
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