Solenoid
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
It's a starter not a stopper!
You ever heard the noise it makes when a engine is running and they turn the key to start? Makes a racket but the engine won't stop.
Why do you ask?
Why do you ask?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Not if the car is wired correctly. The solenoid sends a full-voltage signal to the coil when the ignition switch is in the "START" position. Once the engine starts and the ignition switch is returned to the "RUN" position, coil voltage is disconnected from the solenoid and is then fed through a resistance wire coming from the fuse block.
After the engine starts, the solenoid SHOULD have no effect on the engine or its ability to run. Again, this is assuming that the wiring is run as the factory intended.
After the engine starts, the solenoid SHOULD have no effect on the engine or its ability to run. Again, this is assuming that the wiring is run as the factory intended.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,941
Likes: 35
From: El Cajon California
About a month ago and about 6 months ago my car stopped dead in its tracks, turned the key nothing, not even a click from the solenoid
Next day it was fine
This past weekend i tried to start the car
started engaged, engine cranked fast then nothing,
(the car has to crank a lot when it sits a few days when cold)
I am going to jump test the solenoid this Saturday by connecting power to the purple wire (I am assuming a bad solenoid at this point cause I have to crank the car so much) but wondered if the two issues were related
The no click when starting and the sudden loss of ignition
Next day it was fine
This past weekend i tried to start the car
started engaged, engine cranked fast then nothing,
(the car has to crank a lot when it sits a few days when cold)
I am going to jump test the solenoid this Saturday by connecting power to the purple wire (I am assuming a bad solenoid at this point cause I have to crank the car so much) but wondered if the two issues were related
The no click when starting and the sudden loss of ignition
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
as mentioned , check the ground at the frame under the car. also next time it wont start try it with the shifter in neutral, could be neutral safety switch on the shifter giving you trouble if its an automatic.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Wiring goes bad, too. You can't see inside the insulation on battery cables. But, they could have turned to powder in there. 
And, just checking them with an ohmmeter doesn't get it. You need to know that the cables can pass adequate CURRENT...not just battery voltage.
Also, verify that you have a good ground cable (right side A-arm area to enging block/starter bracket). If that is bad...or missing...it will cause the same problem.
And, just checking them with an ohmmeter doesn't get it. You need to know that the cables can pass adequate CURRENT...not just battery voltage.Also, verify that you have a good ground cable (right side A-arm area to enging block/starter bracket). If that is bad...or missing...it will cause the same problem.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,941
Likes: 35
From: El Cajon California
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
I had a problem like this once, had to take the solenoid apart and clean the contacts inside of it. AND while you have the starter apart, it always good to change the brushes and clean the starter up. Paint it and you are good for another 50, 000 miles!
check all wiring while taking the starter apart, make sure the black round wire is not put on the starter solenoid.
check all wiring while taking the starter apart, make sure the black round wire is not put on the starter solenoid.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Sounds like the main wiring then. Check and clean;
the battery terminals
the other end of the negative wire at the frame
the short jumper between the frame and engine block both ends
the positive cable at the starter solenoid
Once you get to solenoid also check the fusible links connected to the solenoid since those power everything else.
the battery terminals
the other end of the negative wire at the frame
the short jumper between the frame and engine block both ends
the positive cable at the starter solenoid
Once you get to solenoid also check the fusible links connected to the solenoid since those power everything else.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,941
Likes: 35
From: El Cajon California
While checking connections the positive and negative cables were not real tight. It looks like arching occurred so I will clean the connections with a brush and put it back together.
Last edited by Snoopysvet; Feb 28, 2014 at 11:03 PM.