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Beautiful day here in WI. I drove the 65 small block yesterday and today. In the last 2 days, when I would turn the key for a hot start there would be a 1 or 2 second lag, and then the engine would turn over and start. Cranking would be at normal speed.
Decided to take my wife for a ride this afternoon. The engine was warm from 2 hrs earlier.
I turned the key - nothing. No click. The ammeter read approx (-20 amps) Tried this about three times and then decided to take another car. I think that I was the only non convertible car on the the road!!
Would you say that the solenoid could be heat sensitive? The car sat and cooled for about 3 hours. I just went out there, and as I suspected it started right up.
When I hear any car not starting with no click I think of the starter. As the starter bearings wear or begin to fail it can allow the windings to short on the case. Much like and engine a motor will usually stop in the same location when rotating to a stop. A lot of times you can take a hammer and wack the starter and it will jarr it enough to allow you to start the car / truck.
In midyear cars the main power wire that goes through the firewall can cause a similar problem. Over the years the power wire heats and cools expanding the contact area and allows the wire to no longer connect properly. Next time you have the problem wiggle the firewall wiring connection and see if the car will start. If no then lay up under the car and wack the starter with a hammer.
Starters are cheap I would replace the starter first and go from there.
I was thinking that I would try to cool the solenoid with water. If that worked, replace the solenoid. If not, then cool the starter. By the way, the solenoid is 500 mi old, and the original matching numbers starter was professionally rebuilt at the same time.
I would spend $50 bucks on new auto parts store starter and see if that resolves the problem. If so send the numbers matching starter back out for rebuild and live happily ever after..
I would spend $50 bucks on new auto parts store starter and see if that resolves the problem. If so send the numbers matching starter back out for rebuild and live happily ever after..
I had the same issue two years ago. Ammeter reading full negative, no sound. After cooling it was fine. I replaced the solenoid and have had no issues starting since. I think it was around $20 bucks at O'reilly's with lifetime guarantee.