Need some help trouble shooting what appears to be an electrical problem with my car. Car infrequently starts, and does nothing but trip relays if it doesn't start. I checked the clutch pedal switch and then the ignition switch seized up. That is now replaced and the car has started a couple times, but I'm back to the same point. I pulled the starter, it seems to work. I grounded it and it has worked when the car wants to start. I've also swapped most of the relays.

I'm not real good with electrical problems, any suggestions.

 

For tst purposes u may wire a bulb (or led with 390ohm resistor) into the starter wire: Long thin doublewire to cabin with a bulb connected, one wire to starter connector, another to gnd. Now u see when starter actually gets +12V.
Starter wirings, see http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/5

my guess:
- starter solenoid worn, intermittently no contact (playing with ign causes start to play, need new solenoid and/or starter)
- batt dead or has intermittent internal cut (buy new batt 30$)

 

more detail on my part

Starter changen with one out of parts car about 6 months ago. New starter solenoid put on about 4 months ago. Battery reconditioned last night (it was still testing at 75% after sitting 3 weeks). Now it is testing 100%. I have 12.6v to the starter.

I am printing you page and will take that out and walk through it now. I'll let you know more when I get back.

 

Sounds good... But I Have once been in situation where all looks perfect. Still batt has got intermittent internal cut ... nothin else hlps -in that situation- but new batt.

 

I'm really not sure, I tried flipping out another couple relays off your page, and took a look at all the fuses in the dash panel. I'm not really seeing anything. I guess I could pull the battery out of another car and try that.

 

take your battery in to a local auto parts store like checkers autozone they should have free battery testing

 

It appears to have had something to do with the starter solenoid, but I'm not sure what. I took out the starter again, removed the solenoid this time, cleaned it (although it wasn't really dirty) and re assembled and it's about 20/20 on starting the first time since then.

 

Do that. And/Or clip bypass wire to solenoid +pole, tst.

Whats the condition of the connector near solenoid?

 

It was fine, as a matter of fact, I pulled the starter and reinstalled and still had the same issue. I pulled the starter, removed and cleaned the solenoid and reinstalled, problem went away. It didn't seem like it needed cleaned, but can't argue with the results. Now, I'll wait and see if it comes back.

At this point, I'd say it had nothing to do with the battery.

 

Rest in peace, it will eventually either brushes end or solenoid dies. Hopefully lasts year(s).

Cleaning hlps only so little: the 500Amps current arcs so badly in the contacts that cleaned (=scratched) contacts burn again - and soon. I suppose new solenoid is 20$ (if u can ? find).

 

I cleaned from a mechanical standpoint, not electrical. I don't think there was anything wrong electrically with the solenoid, starter motor.

 

Ach so. Typically to reach the burned contacts, u have to drill rivets off. Contacts are the focal point... in making contact.