Intermiittent starter problem
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: CA
Intermiittent starter problem
My 89 automatic has developed an intermittent starter probblem - it's only done it 3 times so far but....
When I turn on the ignition all the instrument panel lights show up as normal, with 11.9V battery voltage displayed and I hear the fuel pump. When I turn the key to start there is no effect, nothing dims, battery still shows 11.9V and the motor doesn't crank, there's no click from the starter or anywhere else that I can hear. The first time it started after I left it for a few minutes - motor was cold, the second time I jiggled the battery cable under the hood and it started - motor was cold, the third time jiggling had no effect but it started after a few minutes motor was warm. The first time was a few months ago, the last two times were over the past several days. The starter is about two years old.
Could anyone suggest where I should start troubleshooting?
Thanks,
Tony
When I turn on the ignition all the instrument panel lights show up as normal, with 11.9V battery voltage displayed and I hear the fuel pump. When I turn the key to start there is no effect, nothing dims, battery still shows 11.9V and the motor doesn't crank, there's no click from the starter or anywhere else that I can hear. The first time it started after I left it for a few minutes - motor was cold, the second time I jiggled the battery cable under the hood and it started - motor was cold, the third time jiggling had no effect but it started after a few minutes motor was warm. The first time was a few months ago, the last two times were over the past several days. The starter is about two years old.
Could anyone suggest where I should start troubleshooting?
Thanks,
Tony
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 1
My 89 automatic has developed an intermittent starter probblem - it's only done it 3 times so far but....
When I turn on the ignition all the instrument panel lights show up as normal, with 11.9V battery voltage displayed and I hear the fuel pump. When I turn the key to start there is no effect, nothing dims, battery still shows 11.9V and the motor doesn't crank, there's no click from the starter or anywhere else that I can hear. The first time it started after I left it for a few minutes - motor was cold, the second time I jiggled the battery cable under the hood and it started - motor was cold, the third time jiggling had no effect but it started after a few minutes motor was warm. The first time was a few months ago, the last two times were over the past several days. The starter is about two years old.
Could anyone suggest where I should start troubleshooting?
Thanks,
Tony
When I turn on the ignition all the instrument panel lights show up as normal, with 11.9V battery voltage displayed and I hear the fuel pump. When I turn the key to start there is no effect, nothing dims, battery still shows 11.9V and the motor doesn't crank, there's no click from the starter or anywhere else that I can hear. The first time it started after I left it for a few minutes - motor was cold, the second time I jiggled the battery cable under the hood and it started - motor was cold, the third time jiggling had no effect but it started after a few minutes motor was warm. The first time was a few months ago, the last two times were over the past several days. The starter is about two years old.
Could anyone suggest where I should start troubleshooting?
Thanks,
Tony
Pro
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: Oslo, Norway
Hi I have an 85 which had a similar problem. Mine occured when I had been driving, stopped to buy something or just stopped for 5 15 minutes and when trying to start I had exactly the sae symptoms. It could also happen if I was so unfortunate to stall the engine and it did not start or more correct crank.
By coincidence I discovered that if I turned the ground batterycable contact loose and retightened it it was ok.
This is ofcourse not feasable and I measured the voltage losses and everything were normal. All ground connections from the battery to frame and engine block was good within specs.
What I did was to change to a new starter and everything became good.
I have to say I cleaned every contact on the battery groundings and also on the starter.
I do not know what was wrong I have not invested in time to look after faults in the starter., but now after 3 years everything has not created any more problems.
Jan-Erik
By coincidence I discovered that if I turned the ground batterycable contact loose and retightened it it was ok.
This is ofcourse not feasable and I measured the voltage losses and everything were normal. All ground connections from the battery to frame and engine block was good within specs.
What I did was to change to a new starter and everything became good.
I have to say I cleaned every contact on the battery groundings and also on the starter.
I do not know what was wrong I have not invested in time to look after faults in the starter., but now after 3 years everything has not created any more problems.
Jan-Erik
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 1
Hi I have an 85 which had a similar problem. Mine occured when I had been driving, stopped to buy something or just stopped for 5 15 minutes and when trying to start I had exactly the sae symptoms. It could also happen if I was so unfortunate to stall the engine and it did not start or more correct crank.
By coincidence I discovered that if I turned the ground batterycable contact loose and retightened it it was ok.
This is ofcourse not feasable and I measured the voltage losses and everything were normal. All ground connections from the battery to frame and engine block was good within specs.
What I did was to change to a new starter and everything became good.
I have to say I cleaned every contact on the battery groundings and also on the starter.
I do not know what was wrong I have not invested in time to look after faults in the starter., but now after 3 years everything has not created any more problems.
Jan-Erik
By coincidence I discovered that if I turned the ground batterycable contact loose and retightened it it was ok.
This is ofcourse not feasable and I measured the voltage losses and everything were normal. All ground connections from the battery to frame and engine block was good within specs.
What I did was to change to a new starter and everything became good.
I have to say I cleaned every contact on the battery groundings and also on the starter.
I do not know what was wrong I have not invested in time to look after faults in the starter., but now after 3 years everything has not created any more problems.
Jan-Erik
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
Check connections. Starter solenoid can sometimes cause the problem.
On 86 and up if the pellet in the key is worn a bit it can cause a no start condition. Try using your spare key and see if that helps.
On 86 and up if the pellet in the key is worn a bit it can cause a no start condition. Try using your spare key and see if that helps.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 1
In some situations that could very well be the case. Shine up the resistor with a peice of emery.
Last edited by caddyboy84; Apr 15, 2012 at 04:30 PM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Moreno Valley CA
Ingintion Switch?
I have a 87 and had the same problem with no start. The key pellet failure getting the correct resistance value to the VATS board will take five minutes for the VATS to reset. If the VATS system is functional and the battery cables and grounds are good, I would suggest replacing the ignition switch. The voltage for the starter solenoid is provided via the ingition switch. I replaced the switch and have had no problems energizing the starter since. I found the internal contact for the start circuit had worn to the point that the spring loaded contact had cocked in the plastic bore missing the other contact.
Gary
Gary
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: CA
Thanks guys, that's given me some ideas to try. I did clean the battery cables when it did this a few months ago, maybe I didn't clean them well enough...sigh. I'll try using the spare key - and that 5 minute delay explains why it worked after a few minutes. I'll keep you posted when I figure it out. Thanks again.
Tony
Tony
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: CA
Problem Fixed - I hope
Thanks guys, that's given me some ideas to try. I did clean the battery cables when it did this a few months ago, maybe I didn't clean them well enough...sigh. I'll try using the spare key - and that 5 minute delay explains why it worked after a few minutes. I'll keep you posted when I figure it out. Thanks again.
Tony
Tony
