85 GSL with 12a and manual tranny:

Will not start. Turn key and nothing: no click, no trying to start, nothing. Dash lights/idiot lights turn off when the key is turned but no real load is being put on the electrical system. Battery is good, battery cables are good, starter and solenoid have been tested and are good, current is beeing sent to the solenoid (black wire with single female plug).

I do not know what the other (smallest) wire that attaches to one of the main solenoid terminals does. I think this wire may be the source of my problems. What does it do? I am thinking that I have a bad ignition switch but I would like some second opinions or other possibilities.

Thanks

 

Check the fusible links, its an easy swap to change them over to plastic plug in fuses available anywhere.

 

I am not much on electrical systems. Where do I find the fusible links for the starter?

Thanks

 

I think the fusable links he was refering to, are the ones under the hood. I am not sure your problem is related to them, but it's possible.
Check all battery cable connections for secure fit and clean contacts. Both ends, on the battery, and on the starter/engine block. If you have the bolt-on replacement battery terminals, check these thoroughly, as they are prone to not making good contact. The fancy red/black enamel ones are even worse about it, even when new.
If all checks out good, you can try running a different wire to the "Start" side of the solenoid, and touch it to the positive side of the battery. If it cranks, you have a problem in the switch or wiring.

 

The small wire on the starter is what powers the solenoid. It receives power when the key is in the start position. There are only 2 wires on the starter, the main + cable and the smaller solenoid wire.

If the dash lights are dimming when the key is turned to the start position, something is drawing power that causes them to dim. Make sure the wires are connected correctly and the connections are clean.

The fusible links are on the drivers shock tower. You will see a bakelite device with 3 cloth covered loops. The loops are the links. The middle one is the main, the other 2 are for the headlights. I don't think it's your links since you have dash lights. Can you turn the engine over by hand?

 

Engine turns over by hand just fine. Lights on dash do not dim, they go out just like you cut off the switch. When I turn the key, in the first position all accessories power up (stereo, wipers, idiot lights, gauges, etc), when I turn the key to the start position, I hear two clicks and all lights on dash, logicon, stereo, go out. One of the clicks comes from under the dash and the other from the engine bay but it IS NOT the solenoid clicking. There are 0 sounds from the starter. Weird thing is that I can run a wire from the batter + side to the starter and get it to turn over but only with the key in the off position. If the key is in the on position I just get a few sparks and the starter does not turn over at all. I am thinking the ignition switch is bad but when it is turned to start position, current is sent to the solenoid. I am at a total loss!???????????????

 

Forgot to mention that I found and checked the fusible links and they are all OK.

 

My starter has three wires on it. Main + wire, smaller black wire that attaches to the male clip on the solenoid and a small wire on the other main terminal on the solenoid. what does that third wire do? The one that attaches to the clip on the solenoid is getting + current when the key is turned to start. The other wire gets nothing when the key is turned.

 

Check your ground strap from the engine to the chassis. I've seen these get corroded and cause a slow/ no crank condition.

 

I have already checked the two main battery cables. They are good and the contacts with the engine and the starter are good.

Again, wierd thing is that if I disconnect the wires from the car I can jump the starter off with cables from another battery. Connect the cables from the car, turn on the ig. switch and then I cannot jump the starter from another battery. I just get a few weak sparks and nothing from the starter.

 

The solenoid might be sticking, just like mine is. I carry a hammer and tap solenoid to get it to work. It could also be a connection internal to the solenoid. I plan to diassemble mine soon.

 

did you find out the cause of the problem?
i think i am having similar problem with my gsl-se, actually the second time
dash lights will come on when the ignition is "on" position
but when i turn it to "start " to crank the engine
the car will went dead
i will have to disconnect the terminal to get the electric going again