Occasionally not starting
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Joined: Sep 2013
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Occasionally not starting
I recently picked up my 1986 Coupe. We had starting issues prior to my picking it up but wrote it off to sitting for two months. What is happening is it won't crank. No "click" of the solenoid. Nothing. It has a new battery and alternator and runs at 14+ volts when running. Last week I put it on charge for 3 hours and still no start. The next morning it started with no issues. Starter sounds like a new one. starting and running good until yesterday. Nothing. Headlights are bright with NO dimming when I try to start it. The brake light and one other come on when the key is turned. I tried jiggling the shifter and alternating between park and neutral with no change. I tried the 275 amp starting mode on my charger and still nothing. Later, it started right up and did the rest of the evening. Today, same thing, nothing at lunch time but 20 minutes later it started right up. My wife is afraid to ride in it for fear of a no start. Any troubleshooting help would be appreciated. My mechanic thinks it's oxidation on the starter from sitting. I don't believe it's the case. Help please.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
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From: Conowingo Maryland
Sounds like starter. if you can put a test light on the small term of the starter and have someone turn car to crank the test light should light. If it does light and car is not turning over it is the starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Anaheim CA
The 1986 VATS starter relay looks slightly different than the one in the picture in the quoted thread. It's next to the blue chime module in this pic of mine (yellow wires). The relay in the clip is the horn relay:
There was a recall on 1986 cars for a problem with the contacts in the ignition cylinder. Replacing the cylinder fixed the VATS problem I had. I upgraded about 15 years ago and never had a problem since. When I took my old cylinder out one of the key pellet contacts was bent over. I don't see how it made contact. You can see the contacts if you look into the key slot.
I have heard of people fixing their VATS problem by cleaning the resistor pellet in the key.
You might find this site informative:
http://www.joestradingpost.com/vats/
Last edited by Cliff Harris; Nov 11, 2013 at 01:22 AM.
- 1986 Original Owner -
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: North Yorkshire, England
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The TSB was released in July of '88 and covered '86-'88 It also included new longer keys with a different contact material.TSB 88-292