Have a 68 327 4 speed. Haven't starter her up for about 1.5 to 2 years. When i initially went to start, it was nothing but a 'click'. Ruled out dead battery, cleaned the negative wire's connection to frame, and cleaned battery terminals. Measured the required voltage on solenoid (forget if it was 7 or 9 volts, but i got that from a thread) when the key is in the on position. didn't have anyone to help me check the voltage on the other post of the solenoid when the key is in the 'Crank' position. When the key is in the on position, i do get power to my radio (static, but strong battery type static!). Also not sure if i should have but I tried to 'jump' it started with a screwdriver, but again, all i heard is a click. Is the starter motor seized? Its possible that there was a little too much moisture in the garage its in, maybe that did it?

just thought i'd throw all that out there before i start replacing stuff, namely the starter for starters....

Thanks

 

bench test the starter

 

Bench it, check it, probably the solenoid, open it up, clean it, drop on a new one, check the bushings, probably fine, coat of paint and back in business

Mooser

 

are you sure the battery is good,you should have 12v at big terminal on starter not 7 to 9.hope this helps

 

Either a weak battery (that won't hold a charge) or a bad starter solenoid. The starter is probably fine.

 

Yeah, man, throw a good charge into that battery before you do anything else. Maybe try a jumpstart, just to rule out low battery. I actually had my starter rebuilt once because my battery was low, man did I feel foolish!


Keep the shiny side up!
Scott

 

If that is the same battery that sat idle in that car for 2 years, I would replace that first. If your starter worked fine 2 years ago it shouldn't go bad sitting.

 

I ran into something similar. I was SURE it was the starter after checking all connections. Turned out to be inside the positive connection to battery.

If you are unsure of checking the starter yourself, I bet there is a starter/alternator place nearby that would be glad to. But it is pretty easy to do it yourself off the car.

Also, battery checks are free at most parts stores.

 

How did you rule out the battery? It should be load tested. A voltage reading is almost useless.

 

Well guys thanks for chiming in on this. I've decided to take the starter to have it bench tested, as well as the battery. When i finally got it out, i noticed this:



basically i thought a furry friend crawled in there and died, but i guess there is some sort of pad or insulation in there? it was all jammed up where the two gears meet...
the starter:


I'll have to clean it all out and everything... but my question is what is it and do i have another problem?

I'll let you know how the test went by later tonight / tomorrow depending when i get it done,

Thanks

Dammit my pictures aren't working... i'll have to set them up somewhere else if i can, but basically its as i describe, i had insulation on the gears and sort of jammed between the thin shield and the large gear...

 

pull your inspection cover, remove all the crud, looks like shipping material, put the starter back in , try it.

 

After looking at your pictures, that insulation alone could be your problem. That jammed between the gears could be binding the starter enough, to not let it turn. Good luck.

 

you been running without the inspection cover?

 

check this out!
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Well there you go, so what is exactly the inspection shield? the 'orange' sheet metal part that has a hole where the starter goes through for the gears to connect?

To my knowledge i haven't been running without any thing i shouldn't be unless its been off the car for years before i got it...

I'm about to do my errands (and also have the thing tested) but i'm contemplating just putting it back in and testing it... It was a pain to get out. Of course i'll clean it all out

Thanks guys i'll post again when i have something to update.

 

That tin plate is the shield
Looks like something made a home in there Make sure you check for chewed wires
Remember, mouse can squeeze into a hole the size of a dime so they don't need a lot of room
Mooser

 

looking at your fly wheel thru that hole, you would be ahead to remove the inspection cover and clean it out.

 

Well i had the starter tested anyway to be sure, and it was good, the battery was also good. Got the tin cover off, cleaned it completely and everything i could reach in by the flywheel... cleaned every wire's connection, wirebrushed the frame where the negative cable goes from the starter and replaced that wire etc etc. hooked it all up and VRROOOOOMMMMM!

yeah it was definitely a mouse, found a few nuts or nut shells in there...

Thanks guys. now that it runs i can get back to my list of other things to do!

 

Nut, shells...and maybe a few mouse bones...

 

Your flywheel inspection cover has a quarter of the metal gone by the starter hole. That is how the mouse got inside. You need a new cover or it is going to happen again.

 

coulda' been Hoffa, maybe you should have it tested for DNA, or carbon dating, or alcohol content, inquiring minds need to know