OK guys, I have an 86 GXL 5-speed, and all of a sudden, it wont start. Here's what happened:

I drive it for 15 minutes, park it and shut it off, come back 2 min later and try to start it, but it wont crank. The lights, interior fan, mirrors, windows, all have power, but when i turn the key to start it, All that happens is I hear a single click, and charge gauge dips a little, and nothing happens.

So i checked all the engine bay fuses/cabin fuses, and the 7.5 amp "room" fuse was blown, replaced it. car still didnt start. I unplugged and re plugged all the fuses, and then IT STARTED RIGHT UP. so i thought it was a loose fuse, drove it home parked it. NOW IT WONT START AGAIN, i've re plugged all the fuses 3 times, thats not it. DAMN!

I've towed the car with a friends truck, and then put it in gear, and the engine will rotate, but not run. so it sounds to me like its not the starter thats bad. maybe someting in the ignition switch on the steering column? I have no idea where to start looking, PLEASE HELP ME GUYS

ANY ideas HAILERS, ICEMARK?

thanks in advance guys- Matthew

 

bump please?

 

it could be the battery.
the exact same thing happend to me, and when I tightened the battery cables a little more, it started up just fine.
Do any of the electricals work?

 

I'm not sure, but the room fuse might be one that feeds the factory "theft deterrent" system...that unit might be fritzing out, causing the starter cut relay to activate...try pulling that fuse & see what happens (if it's not the batt terminals)

 

So i got it running.

On advice from my brother, i went under the car and hit the starter with a hammer a few times, after that I was able to start it right up again.

My new question is what happened? Why did it need to be hit with a hammer? is my starter about to die completely and leave me stranded, or is this a one time thing?

 

That usually means the starter is worn and you should start thinking about replacing it.

 

You need new solenoid. The solenoid is bad. Usually when it gets hot the throwout bearing sticks and hitting with a hammer like you did loosens it, sometimes. Either you could change the solenoid or get a new starter.

 

or, carry a hammer

 

thats weird, cuz if its the started, you should be able to push start it.

 

Most of the time when a starter gets to the point of having to hit it to make the solenoid work, it has a matter of a few weeks left. Get a new starter.

-Joe

 

the solenoid is still very good on your car. What you need to do is 1)get a new starter or 2)get new charcoals for the starter. What happened is that the charcoals that run the electromagnet that spins the starter shaft is so worn that it's not reaching the shaft anymore. Hitting it wiht a hammer knocks em loose a little so they touch since they're spring loaded. But you have very limited time to get it fixed. I had this happen already... hitting with the hammer only worked for another 5-10 starts. i happen to have a brand new refurbished starter on ebay right now. ^_^
starter on ebay