Starter/Ignition??
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 92
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From: Norfolk VA
Starter/Ignition??
So I have been having some issues with my starter. I have tried every combination of the wires on the solenoid (currently have them as they are suppose to be...played around with them out of annoyance) and I can't get anything when I turn the key.
Today, I went down there with a screwdriver and shorted the solenoid out and the dang thing fired right up. So my question is, what could the problem be?
Wiring, bad ignition, what??
Thanks for reading guy and guy-ettes.
Jordan
Today, I went down there with a screwdriver and shorted the solenoid out and the dang thing fired right up. So my question is, what could the problem be?
Wiring, bad ignition, what??
Thanks for reading guy and guy-ettes.
Jordan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
From: San Bruno California
If you get a test light and touch the wire that's coming from the ignition. Have someone turn the ignition as if to start it. If the test light lights up, you have power going to the solenoid. I changed my starter not too long ago. When i would drive and then park, sometimes it won't start. I would disconnect my battery and connect it and then the car would start. I would be paranoid not knowing if it would start or not. One day it just wouldn't start. Changed the starter, no problem. Just changed my brothers starter yesterday because his was doing the same thing. Tony
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 6
From: North of the Bay California
C3's have a starter relay mounted on the bottom of the steering column. There's a rod that runs from the ignition switch to this switch which sends power to the solenoid. Start from the ignition switch and trouble shoot from there.
edit: the rod is on the top of the column.
edit: the rod is on the top of the column.
Last edited by blueray72; Apr 28, 2009 at 11:00 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
C3's have a starter relay mounted on the bottom of the steering column. There's a rod that runs from the ignition switch to this switch which sends power to the solenoid. Start from the ignition switch and trouble shoot from there.
edit: the rod is on the top of the column.
edit: the rod is on the top of the column.
I missed what year your car is, but before 1974 the starter has a purple 10 gauge wire that goes to the inboard small post on the solenoid, the battery lug has a single large ring with 2 wires going into it and the battery cable. The outboard small post has a single 18 gauge wire on it. In that harness that runs to the starter, there is a black wire with a large ring on it. It goes to the block or bellhousing bolt (ground). after 74 the outboard small post is not used (HEI)
It could also be your neutral or clutch safety switch. that purple wire at the starter comes from the safety switch.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
So I have been having some issues with my starter. I have tried every combination of the wires on the solenoid (currently have them as they are suppose to be...played around with them out of annoyance) and I can't get anything when I turn the key.
Today, I went down there with a screwdriver and shorted the solenoid out and the dang thing fired right up. So my question is, what could the problem be?
Wiring, bad ignition, what??
Thanks for reading guy and guy-ettes.
Jordan
Today, I went down there with a screwdriver and shorted the solenoid out and the dang thing fired right up. So my question is, what could the problem be?
Wiring, bad ignition, what??
Thanks for reading guy and guy-ettes.
Jordan
This is usually the cure for good cold starting and "no hot starts" too.
Some people confuse this with "starter heat soak"
Either do this, or replace the solenoid or complete starter. This works whether it is a points or hei starter.
Very early starters enabled you to flip the disc over to use the other side, but later ones are crimped and not worth the effort.
Also clean the large plated moving cylinder and bore of built up dirt and possible oil.
While in there, you may as well solder a potential problem of copper to steel connection oxidation.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 92
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From: Norfolk VA
Tim - I have a 79. When I am down there working on the solenoid, I have the power wire (12V), the double red wire, a single red wire with a small ring, and the black wire with the big ring. No purple. The way I have it right now is the 12V and double red on the middle post, single red on the inboard post, and black ground. Is this right?
Noonie - what did you use to sand those down? If I can't get the starter to work by the weekend, I am going to grind down the copper plate like your tutorial.
Thanks alot fellas.
The help on this forum cant be matched
Noonie - what did you use to sand those down? If I can't get the starter to work by the weekend, I am going to grind down the copper plate like your tutorial.
Thanks alot fellas.
The help on this forum cant be matched
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Tim - I have a 79. When I am down there working on the solenoid, I have the power wire (12V), the double red wire, a single red wire with a small ring, and the black wire with the big ring. No purple. The way I have it right now is the 12V and double red on the middle post, single red on the inboard post, and black ground. Is this right?
Noonie - what did you use to sand those down? If I can't get the starter to work by the weekend, I am going to grind down the copper plate like your tutorial.
Thanks alot fellas.
The help on this forum cant be matched
Noonie - what did you use to sand those down? If I can't get the starter to work by the weekend, I am going to grind down the copper plate like your tutorial.
Thanks alot fellas.
The help on this forum cant be matched
Sounds like it's wired correctly.
You need test lite.
Get a cheap test lit or volt meter and test to see if you are getting 12v or power to the single red wire with the small terminal end with the key in the start position.
If not check to see if the igniton switch is adjusted properly. When you release the key from the start position it should snap back to the on position.
Beside the gearshift lever is the neutral switch. Check voltage there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,293
Likes: 6
From: North of the Bay California
Well, kind of. Your "starter relay" is really the ignition switch. the key is just a lock. The rod runs from the keylock to the ignition switch.
I missed what year your car is, but before 1974 the starter has a purple 10 gauge wire that goes to the inboard small post on the solenoid, the battery lug has a single large ring with 2 wires going into it and the battery cable. The outboard small post has a single 18 gauge wire on it. In that harness that runs to the starter, there is a black wire with a large ring on it. It goes to the block or bellhousing bolt (ground). after 74 the outboard small post is not used (HEI)
It could also be your neutral or clutch safety switch. that purple wire at the starter comes from the safety switch.
I missed what year your car is, but before 1974 the starter has a purple 10 gauge wire that goes to the inboard small post on the solenoid, the battery lug has a single large ring with 2 wires going into it and the battery cable. The outboard small post has a single 18 gauge wire on it. In that harness that runs to the starter, there is a black wire with a large ring on it. It goes to the block or bellhousing bolt (ground). after 74 the outboard small post is not used (HEI)
It could also be your neutral or clutch safety switch. that purple wire at the starter comes from the safety switch.
