Not Starting Electrical Issue
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 220
Likes: 35
From: NH
Not Starting Electrical Issue
Need your help with a non-starting apparently electrical issue I'm having with my '88 Anniversary.
PROBLEM: Put the key in the ignition, turn to start, the dash lights up everything appears normal EXCEPT the starter won't engage all the time (it intermittently starts just fine).
WHAT'S KNOWN:
So with all that can anybody help me resolve this problem??
Thank-you.
PROBLEM: Put the key in the ignition, turn to start, the dash lights up everything appears normal EXCEPT the starter won't engage all the time (it intermittently starts just fine).
WHAT'S KNOWN:
- the battery is fully charged (86 to 89%) and only 1 year old.
- the dash lights up every time whether is turns over or not.
- no clicking sounds, no starter solenoid sounds
- I've cleaned the small copper wire in the keys and added a little dielectric grease, the first time I did it the car started then shortly there after (an hour) nothing on either set of keys
- the service tech found high resistance on the ground between the starter and engine block. Cleaned contacts resistance dropped to normal level. Called and said the problem was resolved. Went to start car to take it home....nothing. After another week the car is still there.
- this could be pure coincidence but when it wont start I've put the battery charger on it. The charger tells me the battery is at 80 something % charged and after 2 or 3 minutes starts right up.
- FYI, the service tech working on the car is a GM certified tech with over 20 years experience mainly focused on Corvettes.
So with all that can anybody help me resolve this problem??
Thank-you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,224
Likes: 497
From: NJ
Try taking a hammer and tap the starter case. The commutator on the starter may be carbon-ed up and intermittently making contact with the motor brushes, especially if the starter has oil residue on it. Do you have a leaking valve cover on the starter side? You could also put a test light on the solenoid wire to check for voltage during start.
And it could also be a security issue like OneRedVette says.
And it could also be a security issue like OneRedVette says.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 527
Likes: 274
From: Marysville WA
Had this type of thing happen to me, it was just my inability to properly thread the negative cable to the battery.
Sometimes it wouild crank and start.
Sometimes it would'nt even click even though the dash would light up. Even enough power to flip the headlights.
Boy I felt dumb.
Sometimes it wouild crank and start.
Sometimes it would'nt even click even though the dash would light up. Even enough power to flip the headlights.
Boy I felt dumb.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 220
Likes: 35
From: NH
Finally after 2 weeks the service center finally tracks down the cause of my intermittent starting problem, it was an electrical/security issue.
As I understand it, the security sensor in the key ignition (steering column) would intermittently sense the key's small copper wire and prevent the car from starting.
Thanks all for your suggestions.
As I understand it, the security sensor in the key ignition (steering column) would intermittently sense the key's small copper wire and prevent the car from starting.
Thanks all for your suggestions.
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I am having an issue with a 1992, starting and stalling right away. With a noid light hooked up it flashes right away but goes out when dies, and no restart until you wait a few minutes. Checked power to injectors and power while cranking, also have spark all the time. When it does start you can actually keep it running by pumping gas. When you pump the throttle the noid light only flashes once. You have to keep pumping throttle in order for it to keep running, that way the noid light will flash. I am thinking the opti spark distributer went bad, but confused why I still have spark. Any ideas?
I checked all injectors, all are 12.2 ohms
I checked all injectors, all are 12.2 ohms