Starter issues on '72
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Ft Walton Beach Florida
Starter issues on '72
I have a question I think I know the answer to but would like confirmation from the experts on the forum who know the start system better. I put a new starter in my '72 a few months ago and everything was good , starting just fine. The other day I try to start and nothing, just a dimming of the interior lights. I'm thinking maybe it's the neutral safety switch ( it's an automatic) so I run a wire from the battery to the 's' terminal on the starter solenoid and hook up a voltmeter. I turn the starter switch and I get 12 volts. So that eliminates the safety switch as a problem. I then cross the the main lugs on the starter with a screwdriver and the starter spins like it should, however when I pull the screwdriver away the starter continues spinning - I had to disconnect the battery to make it stop. So I'm thinking it's a bad starter solenoid. Does that sound right?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Last edited by gulflyer; Sep 7, 2015 at 01:39 PM. Reason: punctuation
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
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From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Well i think its bad now if not before. The solenoid stuck engaged means the contactor inside the solenoid is welded closed. U can buy solenoids at nearly any parts store or sometimes just the solenoid rebuild kits for cheap repair. If the start motor turns u dont need a new starter motor - just repair/replace the solenoid. This will be excellent experience for u and u will never need starter help again.
As for the no-start i would have to ask first did the no-start happen right after engine shut-down? If so u have a "hot start" issue from heat soak. U can search that here on the forum or even google that but i have answered that so many times u should really help yourself and search my posts for this.
If not from a heat soak/hot start failure then u have something shorting the batt and draining the batt w/ign sw off. Im sure u will have fun pulling fuses to find the source of that one.
Hope this helps and good luck.
BTW if u want a real batt/charging tester u need one of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/100-amp...ter-61747.html
As for the no-start i would have to ask first did the no-start happen right after engine shut-down? If so u have a "hot start" issue from heat soak. U can search that here on the forum or even google that but i have answered that so many times u should really help yourself and search my posts for this.
If not from a heat soak/hot start failure then u have something shorting the batt and draining the batt w/ign sw off. Im sure u will have fun pulling fuses to find the source of that one.
Hope this helps and good luck.
BTW if u want a real batt/charging tester u need one of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/100-amp...ter-61747.html
Last edited by cardo0; Sep 7, 2015 at 02:07 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
From: Ft Walton Beach Florida
The starter was working fine for about 3 months after I installed it. What happened was that I started the car, backed it out of the carport and shut it off. About 6 hours later I got in the car to crank it back up and nothing happened, no clicking, nothing except dimming of the interior lights. The battery is strong, headlights are good, horn, etc. I think you're right, sounds like the solenoid is bad. What's interesting though is after I jumped the terminals on the starter and it wouldn't stop, I disconnected the battery, waited a few minutes and reconnected the battery and the started wasn't turning. I had to jump the terminals again to get the starter spinning, again it wouldn't stop until I disconnected the battery. Thanks for the help - for now I'll plan on replacing the solenoid.
