solenoid or battery???
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Wallaceburg Ontario
solenoid or battery???
I have a starting problem that's getting on my nerves. A couple weeks ago, I took the '79 around the block for a quick spin (not plated yet) and as I backed into the driveway it stalled. It would not start up again; just that rapid tapping sound that made me think it was a loose or faulty starter solenoid. I tightened the wires on it until the damn thing broke (oops), so I replaced the solenoid. It appeared to be problem solved until last night, when I tried to fire it up again. Same problem; nothing but that rapid clicking sound. I know the battery is on it's last leg, but it still has enough juice to raise and lower the power windows with no problem. Can a battery be strong enough to operate the windows yet at the same time be weak enough to prevent the starter from doing it's job? Could the starter itself be the problem? All connections are clean and tight. I'm confused. 
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by Chilli
I have a starting problem that's getting on my nerves. A couple weeks ago, I took the '79 around the block for a quick spin (not plated yet) and as I backed into the driveway it stalled. It would not start up again; just that rapid tapping sound that made me think it was a loose or faulty starter solenoid. I tightened the wires on it until the damn thing broke (oops), so I replaced the solenoid. It appeared to be problem solved until last night, when I tried to fire it up again. Same problem; nothing but that rapid clicking sound. I know the battery is on it's last leg, but it still has enough juice to raise and lower the power windows with no problem. Can a battery be strong enough to operate the windows yet at the same time be weak enough to prevent the starter from doing it's job? Could the starter itself be the problem? All connections are clean and tight. I'm confused.
I got tired of my starter being flaky and installed one of the Delco BB502 gear reduction starters. That replacement made a significant improvement in my battery problems, too.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,782
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From: Some Beautiful Place Sunny and Amazing One
Originally Posted by Chilli
I have a starting problem that's getting on my nerves. A couple weeks ago, I took the '79 around the block for a quick spin (not plated yet) and as I backed into the driveway it stalled. It would not start up again; just that rapid tapping sound that made me think it was a loose or faulty starter solenoid. I tightened the wires on it until the damn thing broke (oops), so I replaced the solenoid. It appeared to be problem solved until last night, when I tried to fire it up again. Same problem; nothing but that rapid clicking sound. I know the battery is on it's last leg, but it still has enough juice to raise and lower the power windows with no problem. Can a battery be strong enough to operate the windows yet at the same time be weak enough to prevent the starter from doing it's job? Could the starter itself be the problem? All connections are clean and tight. I'm confused.
You said that you replaced the solenoid, then your possible bad components are the starter or the battery. Check the voltage of the battery. If it is right, then discard the battery as a bad component and that leaves you to know that you need to replace the starter.
There some tests to check the starter conditions. Also check starter ground and cable or wire continuity that connect starter to + terminal of battery.
Good luck!
Last edited by c3dreamer; May 15, 2006 at 09:21 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,185
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From: NJ
Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Yup. Heat soak.
Ive never heard heat soak making a starter bendix flutter (thats the clicking sound), its most likely the battery. Heat soak makes for a really slow crank.
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 375
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From: LaSalle ON
Originally Posted by Chilli
Damn it, here comes my ignorance (oh well); what exactly is heat soak and what does it do????
When the car heats up the starter so much that it kind of seizes up. The car will start when it's cold, but not re-start after you've been driving it for awhile. I've got a compact mini-starter that works well. It's small size gets it away from the headers and the heat. ...Although I did have to replace the solenoid in it about a year ago
Bob
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Thread Starter
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From: Wallaceburg Ontario
Originally Posted by vettenoir
To the best of my knowledge...
When the car heats up the starter so much that it kind of seizes up. The car will start when it's cold, but not re-start after you've been driving it for awhile. I've got a compact mini-starter that works well. It's small size gets it away from the headers and the heat.
When the car heats up the starter so much that it kind of seizes up. The car will start when it's cold, but not re-start after you've been driving it for awhile. I've got a compact mini-starter that works well. It's small size gets it away from the headers and the heat.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,024
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From: AL
if heat soak affects a starter, then i must have had it happen to me once. one HOT summer day crusing down a curved freeway bridge (read blind spot in front), i had to lean hard on the brakes. the truck behind me did same and it turned on him and he smacked the concrete guard rail. i stopped and turned engine off to help. [skip wreck story here] when i got back into car, it started but the solenoid never disengaged. with switch off the car still was running with the started still engaged. i finally pulled the battery cable off to get the engine stopped and the gear retracted. the cops were getting mad that i wasn't moving so i tried it again and it worked the next time. in fact it worked several times after that but not with the same heat intensity. i got a new starter anyway.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I can't recommend this beastie enough: http://www.delcoremy.com/Starters28MT.aspx
Here's one on eBay (says "Delco style"): http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy...00046425QQrdZ1
Here's one on eBay (says "Delco style"): http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy...00046425QQrdZ1