Yet another 'car won't start' thread...
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Dallas Texas
Yet another 'car won't start' thread...
Unlike many of the others, mine clicks when you attempt to start it, suggesting the starter is getting power and is engaging the flywheel, but it won't turn over.
Just started happening recently. I have a pushbutton start on it right now as I'm in the middle of a resto so I seriously doubt it's any sort of electrical system problem. Nothing else electrically is hooked up on the car. Was starting just fine and then one day, poof..... just a click when I hit the button.... and another when I let off the button.
I'm assuming a starter problem. Any thoughts?
One more thing.... I the valve cover on that side has a pretty substantial oil leak (freshly rebuilt engine) and leaks down the side of the block on that side. Haven't yet fixed it. I wonder if oil could've gotten somewhere it shouldn't in the starter.
Just started happening recently. I have a pushbutton start on it right now as I'm in the middle of a resto so I seriously doubt it's any sort of electrical system problem. Nothing else electrically is hooked up on the car. Was starting just fine and then one day, poof..... just a click when I hit the button.... and another when I let off the button.
I'm assuming a starter problem. Any thoughts?
One more thing.... I the valve cover on that side has a pretty substantial oil leak (freshly rebuilt engine) and leaks down the side of the block on that side. Haven't yet fixed it. I wonder if oil could've gotten somewhere it shouldn't in the starter.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Dallas Texas
It's not the battery. I pulled the battery and charged it.. Same problem. Just to make sure I wasn't crazy, pulled the battery outta my truck and tried it... exactly the same problem. So the battery has been ruled out.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
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From: Illinois, USA
Originally Posted by Chumpzilla
Unlike many of the others, mine clicks when you attempt to start it, suggesting the starter is getting power and is engaging the flywheel, but it won't turn over.
Just started happening recently. I have a pushbutton start on it right now as I'm in the middle of a resto so I seriously doubt it's any sort of electrical system problem. Nothing else electrically is hooked up on the car. Was starting just fine and then one day, poof..... just a click when I hit the button.... and another when I let off the button.
I'm assuming a starter problem. Any thoughts?
One more thing.... I the valve cover on that side has a pretty substantial oil leak (freshly rebuilt engine) and leaks down the side of the block on that side. Haven't yet fixed it. I wonder if oil could've gotten somewhere it shouldn't in the starter.
Just started happening recently. I have a pushbutton start on it right now as I'm in the middle of a resto so I seriously doubt it's any sort of electrical system problem. Nothing else electrically is hooked up on the car. Was starting just fine and then one day, poof..... just a click when I hit the button.... and another when I let off the button.
I'm assuming a starter problem. Any thoughts?
One more thing.... I the valve cover on that side has a pretty substantial oil leak (freshly rebuilt engine) and leaks down the side of the block on that side. Haven't yet fixed it. I wonder if oil could've gotten somewhere it shouldn't in the starter.
1. A "gentle" tap with a hammer to get the solenoid unstuck. It needs to make full travel to engage the pinion gear into the flywheel and then make the high-current contacts. If it stops before full travel, the high-current doesn't flow through the starter motor. Hit it too hard, and you can damage it and you'll be in for a new one (although you may be anyway).
2. The contacts on the back of the solenoid have carbon buildup that are preventing good contact to allow the high-current to travel through properly.
If the tap works, then good news -- but it is likely to get stuck again (it is a common problem with this type of starter setup).
Just my .02c
Brian.
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From: Dallas Texas
Well, I'll try a gentle love tap with a BFH when I get home this evening and see what happens. I'll also double check the cable connections, but it's highly unlikely that's the culprit. This car is being totally rebuilt, hasn't seen the road in 18 months and was starting up just fine then all of a sudden..... click.
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From: Dallas Texas
4speed. No neutral safety switch.
Tried the BFH trick last night.... no dice. Checked the cables just to make sure nothing freakish happened. Only thing I can figure is the solenoid went out..... and/or I got oil in somewhere causing a contact problem. I did wipe a fair amount of oil off of it.... but I tend to doubt that one. Dunno.
Tried the BFH trick last night.... no dice. Checked the cables just to make sure nothing freakish happened. Only thing I can figure is the solenoid went out..... and/or I got oil in somewhere causing a contact problem. I did wipe a fair amount of oil off of it.... but I tend to doubt that one. Dunno.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 2
From: rockwall tx
there is a place in Garland called Master Starter, the guy that runs it is named danny. he is real sharp with starter. we used to send people from the harley shop down there when they needed a starter rebuilt. he could probably give you some insight to what might be wrong.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 1,463
From: Little Rock AR
Jump the fat starter terminal to the small terminal on the starter using a screwdriver and see if it cranks. If it does, you have a problem with excessive resistance in the starter trigger circuit. If so, it can be solved with the Ford relay mod. If not, you have problems with the starter or the main voltage.
-Mark.
-Mark.
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From: Dallas Texas
Just an update on my situation. Techno ended up being closest. A bad connection at the terminal clamp caused the problem. Poor connection where the cable is clamped into the terminal clamp on the positive side wasn't getting me enough current to crank. Took the clamp off... cleaned it up... snipped off the end of the cable and made a fresh new connection. Reattached the cable... started right up.
Just something else to check for anyone else with similar problems
Just something else to check for anyone else with similar problems
