Starting Issue

gtodrive · Guru

Starting Issue

ABC123 · Uber Guru

Only thing I can think of is lack of Ground.

r66sd · Addicted!

I had the same problem with my 66 Beaumont especially when it was hot. Finally had a mini starter installed and has worked perfectly ever since.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Does that wire from the neutral switch to the solenoid go through a connector on the firewall? (like the earlier years?) If so, check that connector, it's common for them to have corrosion in them.

gtodrive · Guru

This is not a hot start problem, as it does it when cold. The wire to the starter is a direct run and is in excellent shape. I am wondering, as mentioned, about a ground problem. The ground from the battery to the block is good and clean. The confusing part is how intermittent the problem is. Could the block to frame ground or block to chassis ground cause this?

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Run a jumper across the solenoid B to S and jump the starter when cold. If it still fails to turn, then the big grounds are a good place to start.

If it turns over, then trace back from the solenoid S through the firewall plug, to the NSS, then up to the ignition switch.

gtodrive · Guru

Thanks Mark. I will check it out!

DonSSDD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Any chance its a slight alignment issue? Any usual wear marks on the teeth on the old starter?

With the quality of new parts these days, it could be the new starter.

gtodrive · Guru

The starter that was on the car when I bought it was new and was doing it at the time I bought it. Based on it still doing it after I installed the new one, Im thinking its a ground or wiring issue. No visible alignment issues. The click is a single loud click at the solenoid. I will try the jumper route later this week and report back.

65 SD L79 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Robert, you should just sell the car. When can I come pick up wink I would try buying a short cable with the eyes on the end. Bolt one end to the block where the ground comes from battery and the other to the starter

gtodrive · Guru

70 SS ACADIAN wrote:
Robert, you should just sell the car. When can I come pick up I would try buying a short cable with the eyes on the end. Bolt one end to the block where the ground comes from battery and the other to the starter

Well, Ive had the problem for over 10 years, so it hasnt been that big of an issue that I would sell it! LOL! i actually have thought about trying the ground cable. I will add it to the list. Thanks!

65Camino · Uber Guru

Could it be loose connections ?

Urban_suburban · Poncho Master!

My 64 CS had the exact same issue. Came down to a faulty ignition switch

Prefectca · Poncho Master!

Urban_suburban wrote:
My 64 CS had the exact same issue. Came down to a faulty ignition switch

I agree. I had a pickup that if you turned the ignition all the way to start all you got was click. If you turned the key slowly and stopped turning the key when it started cranking it would start every time.

Paul

gtodrive · Guru

smile

Prefectca wrote:
Urban_suburban wrote:
My 64 CS had the exact same issue. Came down to a faulty ignition switch
I agree. I had a pickup that if you turned the ignition all the way to start all you got was click. If you turned the key slowly and stopped turning the key when it started cranking it would start every time.

Paul

I wont be able to check this out until next week, but you are talking the ignition switch and not the key switch, right? Thanks for the confirmation that Im not the only one that has had this problem! smile

North · Guru

By process of elimination since you listed the other changes, Neutral switch, neutral switch adjustment, wire from neutral switch to bulkhead connector, bulkhead connector itself, sketchy body to engine grounding.

65Camino · Uber Guru

Isnt the ignition switch, the key switch ?
One on the dash used to start, run the car.

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

65Camino wrote:
Isnt the ignition switch, the key switch ?
One on the dash used to start, run the car.

Once they went to the locking column, the key switch pulls a rod that activates the ignition switch that is further down the column.

Prefectca · Poncho Master!

The truck that I owned with the starting problem was a 1968 GMC, so yes, a key operated ignition switch.

Paul

gtodrive · Guru

Heres an update. I hooked up my remote starting switch to the starter solenoid and while in a horizontal position (but still awake wink ) I cycled the starter 2 dozen times. No issue at all. The starter gear engaged the flywheel every time. So, I will be moving on to the ignition switch and the wiring inside the car. i will also be changing out my battery cables to a heavier gauge than the 6 gauge, currently on the car. Probably unnecessary, but an upgrade wont hurt anything.

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I have some Napa part #'s for cables, I'll dig them up. You'll need to splice in the fusible link to the junction block just ahead of the battery.

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Napa part #'s:
Positive: 714514. 45", 4 gauge,
Negative: 712914. 29", 4 gauge.

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Good you're narrowing it down.

gtodrive · Guru

seventy2plus2 wrote:
Napa part #'s:
Positive: 714514. 45", 4 gauge,
Negative: 712914. 29", 4 gauge.

Thanks Clint! Much appreciated!

gtodrive · Guru

cdnpont wrote:
Good you're narrowing it down.

It's a problem that I have never run into before. Before I used the remote starter switch on it, I had a friend try to start it turning the key, while I was observing the starter. I determined, that when the starter would just "click", the starter gear was not engaging and hitting the flywheel. I thought maybe it was an alignment issue, like previously suggested, but when I attached the remote switch, I could not get it to repeat the problem. confuse I read that it could be a power loss when the starter bendix retracts and doesn't return all the way. So, that is what I am going on. Time will tell!