You should check the voltage at the start terminal on the solenoid first but sounds to me you may have a bad solenoid. I would pull the starter and bench test it. If the solenoid is bad, I would change the complete starter.
-- Edited by jc on Tuesday 9th of October 2012 11:46:47 PM
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'68 Parisienne 2+2 Convertible Matador Red (Resale Red but not for sale).
I have beeen experiancing an intermittant starting problem for the last 2 or 3 weeks on my 67 Beaumont equipped with a 327 engine. I turn the key, the solenoid clicks, The voltmeter goes to zero and stays there even after I release the ignition switch. I am forced to disconnect the plus side of the battery for a second to unlatch the solenoid. This will happen 3 or 4 tmes and finally the engine will fire up and it is fine for the rest of the day. The battery is fully charged, lights, horn etc. everything works until I turn the key. It seems like the solenoid locks up and and pulls all of the current. I have checked the main cables, they look fine. Should I pull the stater and take it to an auto-electric shop for inspection or is there something else I should be looking at?
I think you might be right. I will pull the starter during the winter and get it checked out. What bothers me is the solenoid keeps drawing power after the ignition key is released, I almost think that the ignition switch might be defective as well.