Well guys,
my car is giving me starting fits again. What she does is fire right up when cold, & after I drive her for a bit if I shut off the car there is a very good chance I will have to get the car to crank using a screwdriver across the starter solenoid B+ & "S" terminals to get her to start.
It doesn't do this every time but enough to be irritating. When I drove to work today she wouldn't crank right away, but then she cranked after about 4 times of trying. This evening when I got off work I stopped off at Maaco & got an estimate to get her repainted, when I got out to her she wouldn't start.It was about 20 miles from work to Maaco I drove down the road to a gas station for a drink & she wouldn't start (about 1 mile), then went next door to the parts store, wouldn't start again.
I then went about 2 miles to my house & she would fire right up without jumping the solenoid. I let the car sit to see if it would cause the issue & nothing. Started right up.
What should I check in this case? I have replaced the starter solenoid & ignition switch, yet the problem remains. The problem was like that before & after I replaced those parts. I thought I had the problem fixed after I replaced the ignition switch & yet it still acts up.
Ideas???
I would attack the starter next. While it is out checkyou starter cable, see if it has bad insulation anywhere and. That the wires are not oxidiEd. It should be made of 4 to 6 gauge copper stranded wire.
The starter cable was actually the original from 1977 & was so cracked it wasn't funny. When I replaced the solenoid I replaced the battery cables, as well as the solenoid to starter cable.
I just don't want to throw good money after bad, since I'm not sure it's the neutral start switch. I found out most the Ford Econolines & a couple LTD's use the same neutral safety switch, so I am thinking of going ahead & getting a new one of them. I so doubt that is it, but I dunno what else to check.
Your problem could be in the neutral safety switch. While there is no continuous power that runs thru it for the start circuit, the heat generated by the transmission could have an affect on it. One way to check it is to bypass the neutral safety switch, test drive the car to see if the problems stays or goes away. While not the safest thing in the world to do it would tell you if thats the problem. It might save you from buying a switch or it would tell you if thats the problem. The safest thing to do...buy the switch and install it.
RSM, I am thinking the same thing... I mean that's all it could be at this point (I hope). I know the starter is good, since after I jump the solenoid she fires up quicker than my 2004 Malibu. I think I will look for one at the junkyard & try it to see if that fixes the problem. I gotta get under the car to replace a worn out speedo cable anyways, so I will be right by it.
my guess was the neutral safety or ignition switch is needs some adjustment but if it doesn't EVER do it cold then neutral switch
Quote from: apintonut on April 24, 2011, 03:30:53 AM
my guess was the neutral safety or ignition switch is needs some adjustment but if it doesn't EVER do it cold then neutral switch
You got it... Never cold... I could go out to my car right now & fire her right up, right now with no problems.
I think you have too much voltage drop through the ignition switch circuit or a bad ground to easily activate the solenoid.
Here is what I would do first and it is relatively low cost.
1. Replace the solenoid. They are really low cost and easy to change.
2. Clean all the connections when changing the solenoid. Make sure the solenoid bracket has a good ground to the body. Sand all connections and add petroleum jelly.
3. Remove and clean both battery posts. Check battery water level.
4. Follow the negative battery cable to the ground connection. Remove and clean.
5. Check the body to engine block ground strap. I would just add a second ground strap for the heck of it to make sure you have a low resistance electrical path. You can buy ground straps or buy a battery cable with lugs at both ends that you can use a bolt. Easy to find something on the engine to bolt to. This can also make your alternator and ignition system function better.