Sometimes will not start
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey/Florida
Sometimes will not start
Hi guys: I have a 74 L48. The problem is that sometimes it will not start just after it has been running for a while. I would shut it off and then an hour or so later I try to start it and get nothing, no crank etc. I let it sit overnight and it would start. I shut it off again then try to start and nothing. I'm out of Ideas. It's not the seat belt interlock because it has been disconnected, the battery is good and I replaced the ground wire from the battery. It has to be an electrical problem such as a bad ground. I would appreciate any help to find the problem and direction on how to solve it. Although I do a lot of work on this car, I'm not much of a mechanic unless someone can tell me what to look for. Thanks
George
George
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 59
From: Meldrim Georgia
Hi guys: I have a 74 L48. The problem is that sometimes it will not start just after it has been running for a while. I would shut it off and then an hour or so later I try to start it and get nothing, no crank etc. I let it sit overnight and it would start. I shut it off again then try to start and nothing. I'm out of Ideas. It's not the seat belt interlock because it has been disconnected, the battery is good and I replaced the ground wire from the battery. It has to be an electrical problem such as a bad ground. I would appreciate any help to find the problem and direction on how to solve it. Although I do a lot of work on this car, I'm not much of a mechanic unless someone can tell me what to look for. Thanks
George
George
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 16
From: Los Angeles California
check the wires to the starter. alternator to starter wire. starter to battery wire. and fusible link and clean any oil from the power terminals. just a suggestion its happened to me and I checked everything at end it was wires being dirty or stripped.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 16
From: Los Angeles California
it could also be your ignition switch. I ended up putting a push button in cigarette lighter to start car with wires some mechanic said to cut and run switch my friend did the same to his truck but he put it in floor to start with foot like hi beam switch
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 110
Likes: 4
From: Gainesville FL
Sounds like a heat soak problem with the starter. I had this. You can try covering the starter with a heat reflective wrap. I replaced my starter with the one from Ecklers that specifically guards against this.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey/Florida
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey/Florida
Ok, it has not cranked for 3 days but it has power. I just tried it a few times and nothing. I checked for loose wires and everything seemed ok. I cranked it again and nothing. I tried one last time and it started. I shut it off a few times and it started right up. I'm baffled. Could it be the ignition switch?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
I would look at the starter. As mentioned in post #8. Heat soaked starters drive folks nuts. Ford used remote solenoids to alleviate the problem. Yours seems like it has finally had enough now that it's acting up cold too. But just to be sure, ck your starter connections first, clean them and try it.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey/Florida
I think you may be right. The car now started but next time it happens i'm going to test the starter.Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,019
Likes: 1,119
From: North tonawanda NY
mine did this recently... thought it was the ignition switch now I suspect it actually actually a piece inside the steering column...i havent fixed it yet but found I could just reposition the ignition switch by sliding it down on the column and it works but now my accessory position doesnt work.
Also make sure you have checked the most common cause for this on the 74... the one year only mandated seatbelt safety mechanism which can prevent the car from starting if your sitting in the seat and try to start it without your seatbelt on... there is an override button on the top passenger firewall that is supposed to allow you to bypass the system one time once the rubber button is pushed with the key on but they can fail and cause issues. (you can hear the seat sensors causing the relay in the console to click when you lift off and sit on the seat with the key in on position.
if you do a search here you will find lots of info on this. I did.
Also make sure you have checked the most common cause for this on the 74... the one year only mandated seatbelt safety mechanism which can prevent the car from starting if your sitting in the seat and try to start it without your seatbelt on... there is an override button on the top passenger firewall that is supposed to allow you to bypass the system one time once the rubber button is pushed with the key on but they can fail and cause issues. (you can hear the seat sensors causing the relay in the console to click when you lift off and sit on the seat with the key in on position.
if you do a search here you will find lots of info on this. I did.
Last edited by augiedoggy; Jul 31, 2014 at 09:48 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
It was the ignition switch that gave me the same problem as you are having. Sometimes you can fix the problem by adjusting the switch as it has a fore aft adjustment there are specific instructions for adjusting this. The switch is very difficult to get at without dropping the steering column so I opted to replace the switch (they aren't expensive) and I have had no problem since.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey/Florida
It was the ignition switch that gave me the same problem as you are having. Sometimes you can fix the problem by adjusting the switch as it has a fore aft adjustment there are specific instructions for adjusting this. The switch is very difficult to get at without dropping the steering column so I opted to replace the switch (they aren't expensive) and I have had no problem since.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
You can jump the start circuit at the starter solenoid, if the engine turns over okay then the odds are that the start circuit is where the problem is. In my case it was the switch and interestingly when I was holding the key in the start position you could see the drain on the battery indicated by the ammeter but the engine would not turn over.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
I agree with all of the responses regarding making sure the battery cables are in good condition (or replace with new), ensure good grounding, etc..
Additionally, If you are not worried about "original factory look starter" I have had excellent results by using a Mini High Torque starter to work around issues of heat soaked starters that would not crank. These mini high torque starters bolt into place, are much less weight than the factory starter, and they crank EVERY TIME no matter the heat issue or other factors. I have used the CSR brand of Mini High Torque starter on many vehicles!
Gary
Additionally, If you are not worried about "original factory look starter" I have had excellent results by using a Mini High Torque starter to work around issues of heat soaked starters that would not crank. These mini high torque starters bolt into place, are much less weight than the factory starter, and they crank EVERY TIME no matter the heat issue or other factors. I have used the CSR brand of Mini High Torque starter on many vehicles!
Gary