need some help with an intermittent starting problem guys

THECHEEF · Member

need some help with an intermittent starting problem guys

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I had a similar problem when I had my 65 Acadian. I installed a remote solenoid and it never missed a beat. I ran it like that for years.

Later, when I swapped engines I was SURE I could find the culprit. I went back to the original setup, and of course it went back to its old ways. I went through the whole system trying to find the problem. Never found it, installed remote again and flawless.

I am convinced it must have been either a bad ignition switch or something unusual. Strange it never missed once the remote solenoid was mounted though. I wish I could be more optimistic but your's is acting exactly like mine, sometimes perfect, next time nothing.

67Poncho · Uber Guru

Lots of my cars do this... There is so much voltage drop in these old gals that there isn't enough left to pull the solenoid in usually when hot.. I added a relay on my '66 Laurentian right at the starter... That way the starter wire from the ignition switch fires the relay and the relay does all the work to supply the "S" terminal on the solenoid..

Islander · Addicted!

I went through the same problem in the last few months, swapped solenoid and it didn't make a difference. Used the Keep it Simple theory and went over the battery leads, engine compartment grounds etc and now it starts better than ever. Exactly the same sort of random issue, originally thought hot start and solenoid because it seemed to always start right up from cold. Check or redo any crimped connections and clean and tighten up battery cables at both ends...

Good Luck!!

r66sd · Addicted!

67Poncho wrote:
Lots of my cars do this... There is so much voltage drop in these old gals that there isn't enough left to pull the solenoid in usually when hot.. I added a relay on my '66 Laurentian right at the starter... That way the starter wire from the ignition switch fires the relay and the relay does all the work to supply the "S" terminal on the solenoid..

I had exactly the same problem , and finally did the same thing with the relay switch to the starter. It seemed to help a bit, but it still happens occasionally. I originally thought it was heat related,and installed a heat shield on the starter, but that did not work. It does happen mostly when the engine is hot but also has happened cold . I think it may be electrical. Funny how it starts every time that there is a problem if you boost it.

goushdds · Addicted!

I had and am having the exact same issues, and just like Carl, had a remote solenoid for years....no problems....redid all the wires 2 years ago and ditched the remote...the gremlins are back. haven't put the remote back in but plan to in the next week or two

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

confuse

goushdds · Addicted!

I was told that the purple wire was the cause of all this by a self proclaimed poncho expert....so he replaced the purple wire. Like I said still have the problem, so by the sounds of it the best fix is the remote. and even the "expert" can be wrong smile

-- Edited by goushdds on Tuesday 20th of August 2013 04:27:33 PM

67curves · Addicted!

Same problem with mine. Not the starter because I can run a jumper wire from battery to the purple wire on the fire wall close to the plug and it will start every time. I ended up installing a push button switch under the dash so when this happens I just reach under the dash push the button and away it goes. I'm thinking either the ignition switch or the firewall plug.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

427carl wrote:

My simple mind says clean and tighten the battery connections.

67curves · Addicted!

73SC wrote:
427carl wrote:
My simple mind says clean and tighten the battery connections.

After a new starter, battery cables, and battery I wish it was that simple. Still does it.

JC2+2 · Poncho Master!

I had that issue once in a while too. My problem was the main firewall plug connections. Gave it a wiggle and away she went. I should probably take it apart and tweek the connectors. It may come back.

-- Edited by jc on Tuesday 20th of August 2013 10:22:31 PM

THECHEEF · Member

im glad that im not losing my mind and that im not the only one experiencing this. I sure appreciate the advice fellas, thanks a ton. thats why i love Canadian Poncho!!

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

There are only a few components in the starter circuit. If the ignition switch is bad, then you will not get the desired 12v on the purple wire to the starter solenoid, and the starter will not spin. For lack of better words, 12v on the purple wire provides the 'signal' to the solenoid to engage the heavy guage wire from the battery. If you do have 12v on the purple wire at the starter solenoid, and the starter doesn't engage, then the starter/solenoid is bad.

I like many have chased this problem, but as many above have pointed out the engine/starter temperature plays a big role in this. I have a high temperature solenoid on the 454 in the convertible, it started even when we were in 45C weather in Las Vegas and my temperature guage was pinned!!!!!

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Something non-electrical to consider is your engine temperature. Back in the day when I was experiencing this problem, we found the engine was running too hot, and was heating up the solenoid. We changed the thermostat and that solved the problem. (this was after changing the starter & battery)

timbuk · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

love this subject it happens lots and lots if ya gota 6 u can short out the sol and starts every time,a lil harder with a 8 hehe seen this on LOTS of cars dam purple wire old ignition forgot to start syndrome!

77srx · Addicted!

Have you checked your ground wire from battery to frame/engine for corrosion or ?

macsleuth · Guru

Yup, use to have this issue, probably still there. Chalked it up to solenoid hot soak, noticed it started after I installed headers, could always jump the starter with a screw driver. Everything under the hood was redone and clean at the time. Also had the issue with turning the key a few times with nothing happening then it would work. Weird, replaced the ignition switch and thought that was the end of it. Week later, it happened again. Guess I need to go through the wires cleaning and re-crimping them?

rebelrouser · Poncho Master!

I just want to throw this out there-when I had the 'Chief I had to disconnct the battery if I wasn't going to drive it for a while sitting in the garage.If I didn't,I'd have to jump it.I figured there was a draw but where? No stereo,lights weren't left on, so needless to say I was stumped.Just before Jon bought the car I went and purchased a new Delco battery ($120) and I have since learned that it's toast!! Go figure.The headers on it are ceramic coated so heat shouldn't be an issue.There's a new starter on it as well.The only thing I can only think of is that the alternator isn't charging,which is also new BTW. An ohm meter would tell the story and should diagnose the problem-No? And regarding engine temp,the BB runs around 200 degrees and I never had a problem with it overheating.I was kinda anal about that.There is a 16"+ puller electric fan-Dodge Sprinter Van A/C fan- that's installed in the front of the rad but not hooked up. All it needs is a relay or a temperature probe in the rad to have it turn on when it hits a preset temp.I never got around to doing that.Another thing that was on the "To Do List".

Beau_SD_65 · Veteran Member

+1

install a relay for the solenoid AAAAND... ISOLATE YOUR EXHAUST PIPE's TEMPERATURE FROM THE STARTER

It's actually not really hard to tell that your whole electric system is under LOTS of temperature. Specially if your running a big block. Your symptom comes to light only when you have a hot engine, so hot engine means high voltage going through your circuit the whole time AND ... very possibly your starter solenoid is getting quite a lot temperature making the windings to create too much resistance.

Try doing both (relay+temp.isolation) and you'll keep your original components.

;)

goushdds · Addicted!

mine not only happened with hot engine, but hot wires too. i.e. if I crank it for a while and it doesn't start, when I go to crank again it won't go for at least a minute.

I installed the relay for the solenoid, and so far so good.