So my car started acting up this morning. When I tried to start it, it wouldn't turn over. All the dash lights worked, the Commander turned on, and the starter clicked, but it wouldn't turn over. I put the key back to off, then tried again, and it started the second time. Odd, but I thought it might just have been a fluke.

Tonight when I was leaving work, it did the same thing. Lights turned on, Commander on, but nothing but a click. This time I had to KOKO a few times before it started. When it does start, it starts with no issue at all, just turns right over as normal.

PFC shows good battery voltage (14.3 usually) and everything works, lights, radio, etc.

Any ideas as to what could be the issue? I don't think it's the starter, cus once it does start turning over, it does so without incident. Probably not the alternator, cus the starter has plenty of power, it doesn't turn the motor over weakly. Any ideas?

 

sticking solenoid or something..... I had similar issues on a car once... new starter took care of it

 

Hmmm, I was tending to think it's not the starter, just cus once it does catch, the starter works fine.

But I guess if something inside it wasn't working, or only worked every now and then it would make sense. I don't know much about starters (read: I'm clueless) so I may well be wrong.

 

Anyone else have any ideas? Or can anyone confirm the starter theory?

 

Try checking the ignition switch.

 

I had this problem before. Same deal, key on, click, but it doesnt turn over. Next time it does that, get down on the driver side of the car and smack the starter with somthing hard. I bet the next time it will fire it right up. Its a sign of a failing starter. The solenoid could be the culprut, or it could be a shitty connection down there. So check it out.

 

I had a similar issue with my '90 FC and it was a battery terminal connector that was corroded. It didn't appear corroded but it was not making a good connection between post and starter. When the current from the starter hit it, it would not make a connection. Removing the connectors and wirebrushing the posts and connectors did the trick. Simple to do and worth a try.

Simon.

 

I guarantee it's the starter. It could be a few things but it sounds exactly like the starter solinoid going out/sticking, the only other common problem like that is a loose battery terminal.

 

I had diagnosed the exact problem you describe on my car, it took me 4 hours of going through the entire starting system. It was really frustrating not finding the problem. When I was about to give up, I realized the rubber piece that presses the clutch switch was missing. They deteriorate after a while and pop out. Yours could be on its way out, maybe only pressing down the switch sometimes. I replaced mine with a 10mm bolt and nut. Just look at your clutch pedal and make sure its pressing the clutch switch down. Its one of those things you would never realize could be wrong. Its worth checking if you havent figured out what the problem is with your car.

 

Well if he can hear clicking that means the starter is getting power, just not engauging or getting enough power, therefore it knows the clutch is in.

With your problem it should've never gave power to the starter.

 

yeah the starter is going out dude. I had same problem, got new starter and it works fine now!

 

I would get a click too but it was from some relays, when my clutch switch was messed up. Ive tested my starter before by pulling it out and connecting it to jumper cables. Usually auto parts stores will test for free also.

 

time for new starter..

 

Before you buy a new one, try what I said when it pulls that crap on you. IF u bang it and it works like a charm the next time. You know thats what it is.

 

Let me guess. You've had a new engine installed. This happens almost everytime someone gets a new engine installed and the starter has to be disconnected-reconnected. You need to take the power wire of the starter and wire brush the contacts. Problem fixed.

 

You have a starter issue. It's either poor battery connections, a sticking starter solenoid, poor wire connections at the starter or possibly the starter brushes (other two more likely).


To see if it's a battery issue try and start the car with the headlights on. If the lights going nearly out it's more than likely an issue at the battery connections.

To verify if it's the solenoid next time the starter sticks have someone tap the solenoid while you hold the key in "start". If it starts as you tap it the solenoid is sticking. Wiring issues should be obvious. If you are still unsure remove the starter and have it tested.

 

Yeah, actually the engine is 4000 miles old. I guess it's pretty common then. I'll take a look at the wires running to the starter and attack them with a brush.

And if all else fails, GET THE BIGGER HAMMER!. I'll try that too just to make sure it's the starter.

Forgive my ignorance, but where exactly is the starter solenoid?

Thanks to everyone for the help.

 

Looks like a small "can" on the side of the starter itself. It's where the starter wires connect. Just bang on the side of the can.

 

Yeah, thats what I was talking about. And its not too hard either, its easily within my arms reach ( plus a flashlight ) from the side of the when im down on my side. Just give it a few hard smacks. I would go with damonB's method though as mine was farther along in the crapping out on you stage, so if it didnt engage when I turned the key, it wouldnt untill I smacked the starter.

 

Thanks for the info. It worked fine all day today. I'll start by trying to clean the contacts, and if it acts up again I'll be in the market for a new starter.

Thanks everyone for the help, as usual.

 

Update!

The starter finally gave up on life a few days ago. So ordered a new one from www.partsamerica.com Part # 17162, it was $138.45 Theres also a $55 core charge that I get refunded when I send them back the old one. I ordered it Thursday, got it Tuesday. Not too bad.

For all that are wondering, the hammer trick did work for a couple days. It would always start when it was cold, but giving it a good couple whacks with a hammer could get it cooking when it was hot. But I knew it would only be temporary.

Install was a piece of cake. Just unhook the negative battery terminal, take the power wire from the old one, unbolt the two bolts that hold it onto the tranny, and bolt up the new one. Took about an hour from start to finish. The car starts really quickly now too. None of that slowly building revs til it catches. Just ziiiing and its on.

You guys were right!