just recently, since it has been cold, my 88 na gtu wont even begin to crank. i believe that its a hot start problem? either that or its a solenoid issue. last night i drove around town for a bit then went into a store for a bit. when i came out it was dark and colder and the rex would just click when i turned the key. To remedy i just roll started, but that option isnt always available now is it? Any thoughts on this?

 

starter is probably dead. mine went out a few weeks ago. it happens.
is the clicking you hear the solenoid on the starter or the relay in the cabin?
either way, the starter is probably shot. a remanned one from a decent autoparts store shouldn't cost more than 80-100 bucks (not including core charge) and most of them have a lifetime warranty, cant beat that.

 

Check the battery. The clicking usually means a dead battery. It can also mean that you aren't getting enough power to the start, or possibly the starter is bad.
First off, jump the battery.

 

well... i thought it was the starter last night too... but when i woke up this morning it started right up! im in the process of testing the solenoid now. Thanks for the quick response btw!

 

mine did the exact same thing. i let it sit for a while (overnight to a day or so), then it would work... sort of. it would turn over slowly, and looking at the voltmeter, it would draw a lot of power. volts would drop to 11 or more.
i'd be willing to bet money its the starter.

 

Before you assume its the starter, make 100% sure the battery is good. When its cold, batteries have less voltage and it might not be enough to crank the starter.
Mine did the exact same thing as everyone is describing, but it was just a bad connection to the battery.

 

yeah, you're right... make sure its not the battery first. i was positive it wasn't the batt giving me problems because i just bought a new one. my bad

 

Mine did that, as have every FC I've owned. The starter solenoid works, that's the click you hear, but the artmiture/brushes inside the starter is usually toast.

Take the starter in to be tested when you take the battery in. Easy to remove.

 

Do a voltage test on your grounds at the starter as well. After 20 + years they tend to corrode and reduce the current available for starting.

If you are seeing <12v at the battery and >12v at the starter then your ground is bad.