I just recently bought a 1984 Corvette project car. When i First got it, it had a issue with a slow start. It would turn over for a few seconds then finnally start.

no problem there really, gave it a tune up (plugs,wires, cap, rotor,) (i have an 02 sensor and stuff for a oil change, but it got dark.)

It started perfect after that. Went out for a drive, parked it. Turned it on and off a few times. still worked great.

Then i went to start it the next day. and it turned over super sluggish. battery tested ok, but i went ahead and replaced it any ways, because i dont know the age of the battery. I got a 850cca battery.

went to start it and well then i saw some smoke. looked under the car and the starter / selionid area the smell was strong. So i replaced the starter and selinoid package deal from the local retailer.

some times it would start, other times it just gives me a single click. I thought i got a bad starter, so i replaced the starter again. turned it on and off like 20 times and it started every time. drove it around for a bit. came home, finished cleaning up the tools etc. it sat for probably close to 20-30 minutes. I was going to take it up to the carwash so i could drive it to work the next day, and the first time i turned the key i got a single click. just as with the old starter. turned the car off, and tried to start it one more time and it started right up.

All i did is turn the key off and back on and it started. I didnt touch the gear shift, (if it didnt start the second time i was gonna try it in neutrel.

Its only happened a couple of times, and if i wait a few minutes it will start. But i would really hate to get stranded somewhere if what ever is making this intermittant, really breaks.

I have also check the wires while i had the starter out to make sure there were no bare spots etc.

I am a backyard mechanic that can do alot, but this one has finally surpassed me as far as what to try next.

any suggestions of what to try?
feel free to post if you need any other information.

thanks again

 

The gear on the starter may not be aligned with the flywheel correctly. Try adding some shims inbetween the starter and the mounting holes and see how that works out.

 

Tried that also actully. It started but it didnt sound like a healthy start.
It just did it the one time since ive changed the starter out.

I read some where on the net that the seliniods overheat some times since theres a heat issue under the hood. I found a remote selinoid for $9. Im not a mechanic so i dont know what a selinod will do when its hot.

however thanks for the input, and ill see if i can find a differnt shim that has a little less thickness to it that might make things line up better.

 

bump, it did it again. I have not gotten the remote selenoid yet. Was hoping for other suggestions..

This time when it did it i put it in nuturel and back to park and i still got the single click. turned the ignition off, then back to the accessory setting then turned it forward and the car started.... Possible ignition problem? im at a loss, wish i knew what to try next.

 

Sounds like the ignition switch may be on it's last legs. That's assuming you've checked and made sure your battery cables are clean and tight.