Hello all, I have a 1969 about to drive me nuts so thought I would see if anyone has experience with this issue. Sorry in advance for all the detail but no sense rehashing the obvious.

I am having issues with starting my 350/300 hp Turbo 400. I originally thought the solenoid was sticking, sometimes it would just click and I could release and hit start again and usually it would turn over and start.

So had the starter rebuilt and new solenoid. It still had the issue so tried shimming but never worked well. I took it back to the starter shop today, we found that sometimes when you turn the key it wouldn't turn over but with the remote starter switch in place when it fails you can over ride with the remote switch and it would turn over and start.

Brought the car home this evening and found that sometimes when I turn the key on I get about 1/2 voltage at the coil and also "I" terminal on the solenoid. When I turn the key to start get 1/2 voltage to the "S" terminal on the solenoid. I also believe that when this happens I am only getting 1/2 voltage to all the accessories as well.
If I turn the key on and get the full 13... volt it kicks right off, if not sometimes it will kick on over and start but usually just click. dash lights dim and amp gauge shows heavy discharge.

Car can be hot or cold, doesn't matter.

Battery is brand new Optima, it stay on my battery minder all the time, showing 'green" full charge.

Questions
1. I read where the solenoid should provide full voltage to the "I" terminal on the solenoid during start, is that correct? It maintains 12 VDC on the battery terminal at the solenoid but the "I" terminal shows around 6 and the amp gauge shows heavy discharge when it fails to turn over.
2. Is there a resistor somewhere that could be shorting or possibly a intermittent short in the coil dragging the voltage down.
3. Does the cable pass through the fire wall on a connector or just a grommet?
4. Thought about the reverse switch but my gut feel at this point is ignition switch, anyone else have any experience with this issue?
5. Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Have a nice evening,

Kenneth
1969 Convertible

 

I just discovered that if I disconnect the coil the voltage stays at full voltage. When I touch it to the coil, voltage drops to around 6 at the coil. Voltage on battery terminal at solenoid stays at full voltage regardless.

Bad Coil?