Starting issues
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,262
Likes: 0
From: E. Amherst NY
Starting issues
Went to start my 86 last night and there was nothing at the other end. Thought it was a VATS issue so I waited it out, after a few attempts at waiting I came to the conclusion the car wasn't going to start at all. Checked fuses and connections today, all looks good. No codes on the ECM. Tried "jumping" the starter with the screwdriver, key on and still nothing from the starter.
When I turn the key there are a few times I can hear a very muted click like its going to try, voltage drops, etc. At this point I'm pretty convinced its the starter and have gone as far as ordering one from Summit a few mins ago. I did notice within the last couple days the starter sounded a little different when cranking the car over, and now this..
Am I on the right track/anything else I should be looking for?
When I turn the key there are a few times I can hear a very muted click like its going to try, voltage drops, etc. At this point I'm pretty convinced its the starter and have gone as far as ordering one from Summit a few mins ago. I did notice within the last couple days the starter sounded a little different when cranking the car over, and now this..
Am I on the right track/anything else I should be looking for?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 838
Likes: 2
From: Louisville Ky
Went to start my 86 last night and there was nothing at the other end. Thought it was a VATS issue so I waited it out, after a few attempts at waiting I came to the conclusion the car wasn't going to start at all. Checked fuses and connections today, all looks good. No codes on the ECM. Tried "jumping" the starter with the screwdriver, key on and still nothing from the starter.
When I turn the key there are a few times I can hear a very muted click like its going to try, voltage drops, etc. At this point I'm pretty convinced its the starter and have gone as far as ordering one from Summit a few mins ago. I did notice within the last couple days the starter sounded a little different when cranking the car over, and now this..
Am I on the right track/anything else I should be looking for?
When I turn the key there are a few times I can hear a very muted click like its going to try, voltage drops, etc. At this point I'm pretty convinced its the starter and have gone as far as ordering one from Summit a few mins ago. I did notice within the last couple days the starter sounded a little different when cranking the car over, and now this..
Am I on the right track/anything else I should be looking for?
you were actually jumping the solenoid from the the batt connection, right? you can also jump the starter motor to see if it spins, but the circuit is : ign -start relay-neutral switch, solenoid. if you hear a click it is probably solenoid trying to engage to flywheel, but low amps from the battery can do that too.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,262
Likes: 0
From: E. Amherst NY
Battery is fine. Even put it on the charger to eliminate that as a possibility.
I tried just replacing the solenoid on a Camaro I had, didn't end up too well and ended up replacing the entire starter anyway. Hoping the new starter will take care of the problem here but trying to eliminate all possibilities.
I tried just replacing the solenoid on a Camaro I had, didn't end up too well and ended up replacing the entire starter anyway. Hoping the new starter will take care of the problem here but trying to eliminate all possibilities.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 838
Likes: 2
From: Louisville Ky
been there. I mention the batt because you said voltsage drops. if it dimmed the lights, example, it indicates batt.
most likely the starter/solenoid, but...the 12v check is the "foolproof" way to isolate it. I have had high resistance in the terminal on the purple wire, also safety switch issues.
saludos, joe
most likely the starter/solenoid, but...the 12v check is the "foolproof" way to isolate it. I have had high resistance in the terminal on the purple wire, also safety switch issues.
saludos, joe
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
If VATS is OK you should be able to hear the starter relay behind the DIC (Driver Information Center -- where all the status lights are) clicking when you try to start the car.
If you get the dreaded click-click-click, that's usually a low battery or bad battery cable connection. The battery cables need to make a good connection at BOTH ends, not just at the battery. The negative battery cable bolts to the block above the oil filter and the positive battery cable attaches to the solenoid.
On my car the battery leaked acid at the positive terminal and ate up the wire inside the cable. You couldn't tell by looking at it that anything was wrong. When I turned the ignition to on all the dash lights came on but they went out and there was NOTHING when I went to the crank position. Same result with a jump. This was a sudden failure and it worked just fine a few minutes earlier.
If you get the dreaded click-click-click, that's usually a low battery or bad battery cable connection. The battery cables need to make a good connection at BOTH ends, not just at the battery. The negative battery cable bolts to the block above the oil filter and the positive battery cable attaches to the solenoid.
On my car the battery leaked acid at the positive terminal and ate up the wire inside the cable. You couldn't tell by looking at it that anything was wrong. When I turned the ignition to on all the dash lights came on but they went out and there was NOTHING when I went to the crank position. Same result with a jump. This was a sudden failure and it worked just fine a few minutes earlier.
