Frequent no start
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 347
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
Frequent no start
Is there a problem with some C3's where the battery will, for unknown reasons, just decide to play dead, and not allow the motor to turn over at all, or at best just a series of 'clicks'? This seems to occur no matter if the car has sat for one day or sometimes 3 or 4 days.....even with a NEW battery, it does this. Not ALL of the time, but just enough times to be downright annoying.
No accessories are on..no lights, etc. So what is draining the battery? I have talked to a few other C3 owners, some of which have said their C3 does the same thing on occasion. Nobody knows why.
When I hook up a trickle charger, I notice a small "spark" on the negative lead when attaching it to the battery post...I hook up the positive lead first....and this is, of course, BEFORE the charger is plugged in. Any ideas here?.....
No accessories are on..no lights, etc. So what is draining the battery? I have talked to a few other C3 owners, some of which have said their C3 does the same thing on occasion. Nobody knows why.
When I hook up a trickle charger, I notice a small "spark" on the negative lead when attaching it to the battery post...I hook up the positive lead first....and this is, of course, BEFORE the charger is plugged in. Any ideas here?.....
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 327
Likes: 75
From: west mi. / ms. gulf coast
More info needed. You say the battery plays dead. Is it dead , discharged or your car just isn't doing anything but clicking ? Whats the voltage at the battery? If the battery has the correct voltage then check the ground cable at the frame. It's on the cross member just below the battery. The ground cable will cause low or no voltage to the starter and the rest of the car. That is the first thing to check.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
The clicking you hear, is the solenoid, but that does NOT indicate a bad one. Its clicking because its not getting the voltage it should have. Why? Poor GRD somewhere.
The spark at the battery cable means something is engaged without the key on. Stereo? Alarm? Clock? GPS? Phone charger?
Its possible you have a parasitic draw, something that is taxing the battery constantly. That is where a voltage meter testing would verify that, or not.
But I bet a simple GRD cleaning will cure the problem. Starting at the battery post, clean both, but leave disconnected for now. Then on to the GRD cable under the BATT compartment. Wire brush both cable and frame. Next, GRD cable near starter. Wire brush both ends and the bolt threads too.
Hook battery back up.
The spark at the battery cable means something is engaged without the key on. Stereo? Alarm? Clock? GPS? Phone charger?
Its possible you have a parasitic draw, something that is taxing the battery constantly. That is where a voltage meter testing would verify that, or not.
But I bet a simple GRD cleaning will cure the problem. Starting at the battery post, clean both, but leave disconnected for now. Then on to the GRD cable under the BATT compartment. Wire brush both cable and frame. Next, GRD cable near starter. Wire brush both ends and the bolt threads too.
Hook battery back up.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Aug 25, 2019 at 08:05 PM.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
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we do need more info. theres 2 main tracks of investigation. I had a bad battery that had cracked internally and would sometimes just die and produce no current, then when it wanted to, it would be back at full charge and fire the car right up. I threw the battery away and got a new one. Rereading your post I believe this is not your issue
the second is the chevy solenoid on the starter. It can also have a dead spot like a bad connection. you turn the key and nothing but you would have power to your accessories. The solution to the solenoid is to tap it with a hammer.
There is a third issue that would come if the battery itself is just dieing and in need of a recharge and thats the wiper override switch, In 68s its notorious for being left disabled and killing the battery.
so let us know if the battery is dead in need of a recharge or not. And if you hear the clicking, but it will eventually start etc. The sparks yo see is indicative of current and you may have a short which could be the override if you have one
the second is the chevy solenoid on the starter. It can also have a dead spot like a bad connection. you turn the key and nothing but you would have power to your accessories. The solution to the solenoid is to tap it with a hammer.
There is a third issue that would come if the battery itself is just dieing and in need of a recharge and thats the wiper override switch, In 68s its notorious for being left disabled and killing the battery.
so let us know if the battery is dead in need of a recharge or not. And if you hear the clicking, but it will eventually start etc. The sparks yo see is indicative of current and you may have a short which could be the override if you have one
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 957
Likes: 443
From: Dutchess county New York
Is there a problem with some C3's where the battery will, for unknown reasons, just decide to play dead, and not allow the motor to turn over at all, or at best just a series of 'clicks'? This seems to occur no matter if the car has sat for one day or sometimes 3 or 4 days.....even with a NEW battery, it does this. Not ALL of the time, but just enough times to be downright annoying.
No accessories are on..no lights, etc. So what is draining the battery? I have talked to a few other C3 owners, some of which have said their C3 does the same thing on occasion. Nobody knows why.
When I hook up a trickle charger, I notice a small "spark" on the negative lead when attaching it to the battery post...I hook up the positive lead first....and this is, of course, BEFORE the charger is plugged in. Any ideas here?.....
No accessories are on..no lights, etc. So what is draining the battery? I have talked to a few other C3 owners, some of which have said their C3 does the same thing on occasion. Nobody knows why.
When I hook up a trickle charger, I notice a small "spark" on the negative lead when attaching it to the battery post...I hook up the positive lead first....and this is, of course, BEFORE the charger is plugged in. Any ideas here?.....
I replaced my starter with a reman one. The new starter would occasional give me an annoying click also. When I went back to the rebuid shop the owner was really cool about it. Stopped whatever he was doing, actually listened to what I had to say, immediately produced another reman starter and went in back and installed a lighter spring in the solenoid. Also told me I didn't appear to need shims. Absolutely spot on perfect since.
This is A&S in Patterson, New York BTW. You need a starter or alternator I can recommend them. Not online at all but I have seen a few members from this area.
I got a reman alternator from him too just because I hated the look of the rusty chrome aftermarket p.o.s. the PO put on there.
