73 engine won't crank
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 65
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From: Fairfield N J
73 engine won't crank
Just picked up a 73 a few months ago. Car ran well. parked it for a week or so and now I get nothing when key is turned. I do hear a click at the starter,not a click click click but just one clck. I am guessing a bad starter or solenoid? Is there an easy way to check? What else can it be?
battery is charged all lights are bright..
battery is charged all lights are bright..
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 59
From: FL
You need to do some testing. Have you got a test light?
Check that voltage is on the end of the solenoid on the hot side.
Then connect to the inner small screw and turn the key to start. If it lights, you have power to the solenoid.
Now connect to the bottom big bolt out of the solenoid to the starter. Then connect to the inner small screw and turn the key to start. If it lights, you have power to the starter.
1. If no power to the solenoid, check the ignition switch, the firewall bulkhead connector, and the wires for broken connections. The crimped connector on the solenoid end can be bad.
2. If power at solenoid but none to starter, jump the battery bolt on top to the bolt on bottom and see if the starter spins. If so, then the solenoid copper washer is bad. Pull the solenoid, pull the end cap, and clean up the washer and the copper bolt ends.
Of course, the solenoid SHOULD be clicking. If not, you may have the starter jammed in the flywheel. If it is a stick, put it in gear and rock the car back and forth by hand.
If an automatic, then turn the engine by hand.
3. If you have power at the starter, then you either need to rebuild the starter or replace it.
Check that voltage is on the end of the solenoid on the hot side.
Then connect to the inner small screw and turn the key to start. If it lights, you have power to the solenoid.
Now connect to the bottom big bolt out of the solenoid to the starter. Then connect to the inner small screw and turn the key to start. If it lights, you have power to the starter.
1. If no power to the solenoid, check the ignition switch, the firewall bulkhead connector, and the wires for broken connections. The crimped connector on the solenoid end can be bad.
2. If power at solenoid but none to starter, jump the battery bolt on top to the bolt on bottom and see if the starter spins. If so, then the solenoid copper washer is bad. Pull the solenoid, pull the end cap, and clean up the washer and the copper bolt ends.
Of course, the solenoid SHOULD be clicking. If not, you may have the starter jammed in the flywheel. If it is a stick, put it in gear and rock the car back and forth by hand.
If an automatic, then turn the engine by hand.
3. If you have power at the starter, then you either need to rebuild the starter or replace it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
manual or auto? If manual, I would try to push start it.
I would also check both positive and negative connections at battery terminal and starter, and the ground - you need a lot of juice to turn the starter. Sometimes a battery can light up the lights but doesn't have enough to crank the starter.
I would also check both positive and negative connections at battery terminal and starter, and the ground - you need a lot of juice to turn the starter. Sometimes a battery can light up the lights but doesn't have enough to crank the starter.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I agree with PRNDL. There may be enough battery power to turn on the lights, but not enough to start the car. Take the battery out and have it tested, or use a charger overnight then try it again. Its not uncommon for a small electrical drain to bring the battery power down if the car has been sitting for 1 week.
kdf
kdf
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
From: Fairfield N J
Would like to thank you guys for the advise. I put a charger on all nite and still nothing. cleaned the terminals and still nothing. Put a jump on it and sure enough the engine cranked. The battery is bad and will not hold a charge. Glad I did not have to change the starter. Thanks again....
