So. this is driving me nuts. on my '79 When I turn the ignition the starter spins, however the solenoid doesn't engage. Is this a voltage issue?

Since this started happening. I've replaced:
The fusebox with the newer style plastic instead of the glass
Battery Cables
Ignition switch + fusible links
The hot wire that goes to the fusible link on the strut tower. Which are also new.

When we replaced the fusebox we examined the leads running down to it but none appeared to be broken.

None of this seemed to make a difference. It started doing it a few years ago. but at first it was probably 1/5 times. Now I might be able to get the car to start if i grab the wiring going through the firewall and bend the hell out of it every which way until it starts.

I've studied the wiring diagram. This seems like it should be pretty simple. There isn't much to it. but i just can't figure it out.


Is there something i'm missing here?

Thanks for reading
Shawn

 

Well you did all the things I would have done with the cables, switches, etc being new. Double check that ground really is going to a good ground?
Recheck the hot connection on the starter? (all connections for that matter)
Battery voltage is good?
Has it been years since you did all this replacement - recheck the connections?
Do you per chance have another starter?

 

Eliminating the possibility of the teeth missing or damaged so bad that the starter drive has nothing to grab onto then see below.


You need to replace the starter. The Bendix drive is bad.

 

hmm. That's a possibility, I didn't about the teeth. I'll have to take it off again and inspect it more closely. I have tested it off the car and it seemed to engage properly with the proper connection. It's strange though, because when you turn the key you can hear the starter gear spin real fast. it makes a "wirrrrrrrrrrr" sound. then everyonce in a while it will grab and crank.



The main ground that goes to the firewall is defiantly solid. I soldered it real well and wrapped it in copper and the bolted that to the fire wall. Voltage is 12.25v at the fusebox and switch. Also everything that I listed has been replaced in the last year.

I have some other starters i'm going to put on. they aren't for the 215mm flywheel but I can at least see if they engage.

Can anyone suggest which wires under the dash to quadruple check? Maybe i missed one.

Thanks for the tips guys.

Shawn

 

Sounds like the Bendix, all right; either completely bad, or very worn/dirty/sticking.

 

So, i counted the teeth on the starter that was on the car and it's an 11 tooth drive. So it's for S3. I've read some people say that all NA starter's are interchangeable. Shouldn't that only apply to the 225mm flywheels? Do the SA's require it's own starter since it's a 215mm?

 

^ they all work.