jimmacsrx7

iTrader: (3)

Hello, I searched the threads and found some info about my problem but not the location of the saftey switch and how to fix it.
My car developed a starting problem. My battery is fully charged,new starter,etc...i get a click each time i try to start it,if i keep trying it will eventually start..sometimes first turn but usually 15,20,50 times, no pattern rhyme or reason.. thanks in advance for any help, Jim

DaveW

Seems to me that if it clicks, it's probably not the clutch switch. The click usually indicates that the starter solenoid is moving, but its contacts are not passing enough voltage on to the starter. So the solenoid contacts may be dirty or broken, or there is some problem in the starter (bad wiring, brushes, etc.).

It wouldn't be the first time that a rebuilt starter was faulty.

Dave

DamonB

As DaveW said if the solenoid is clicking it's not the clutch switch.

The absolute first thing to check are your battery cables and terminals. The starter pulls a lot of juice. If the negative terminal is corroded much at all you can have enough juice to trip the solenoid and all the other accessories but not enough to actually spin the starter up.

Try turning your headlights on and start the car. If the headlights near completely dim at the start position this often indicates a terminal or cable problem if you know the battery is good.

Saner

iTrader: (1)

Weird.. I have the same problem except it'll take about 3-4 times. Cleaned my contacts many times with the same results.

DaveW

AND, this CAN be intermittent. Heat from trying to pass current through excessive resistance can make the resistance higher, so sometimes it will work immediately and start, and sometimes the resistance is too high and it won't. I had a bad ground from the battery to the engine on an old Chevy Nova that did that!

Dave

jimmacsrx7

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the ideas so far. This is my track car and after it has started and run it will start first time every time while everything is "warm" Then when i come back to the garage in the a.m. same thing.. click click until it turns over then come back after a session shut it down and it will typically start right up the rest of the day. Thanks again, Jim

themcneal

iTrader: (1)

To answer you original question, the clutch switch is under the driver's side dash and is activated (to allow the car to start), by a small rod/attachment that is attached to the clutch pedal and presses another switch when the clutch is fully depressed.