Starting issue Options

[Geezer914]

Spent the day at the Millville NJ race track today 85 degree weather. Went to start the car at 5pm and nothing happened. Battery is good, turn the key and nothing, no clicking or anything. Gauges work, gas gauge etc. The guys gave me a push start and it started, drove home for 45 minutes with no problem. Pulled into the garage, shut it off, turned the key and it started! I have the Ford 6 volt starter solenoid installed between the starter and the ignition switch. So where do I start? Being it started, I can't trust the car starting if I stop somewhere and shut it off. WTF?

[ClayPerrine]

You may have a bad ignition switch.

Check the output of the yellow wire at the solenoid. And add a button in the engine compartment to crank the car. It can save you having to push start the car again.

[StarBear]

A trick that worked on mine when I had that problem - turn on the fan then try starting. Somehow (?) energizes some circuit maybe. Our cars’ systems do not like hot humid days.
Would like to know more about that button crank setup.

[Superhawk996]

As I continue to preach, the hot start relay is simply a band aid that masks other problems . . . Until it doesn’t.

Start with Clays suggestion - verify you have 12v on yellow solenoid circuit from the ignition.

Then you need to measure voltage drop with at DMM across the ground strap while cranking. Anything more than about a 50 milli-volt reading is too high. Do the same thing for all your battery cables.

Read this link before you go throwing parts at it.
https://www.fenderbender.com/running-a-shop...ircuits-part-11

[emerygt350]

What year? This isn't the dreaded seatbelt switch is it?

[Geezer914]

It's a 75. Seatbelt relay was disconnected long ago.

[76-914]

You could have a dead spot on the starter. If so, next time try putting it in 3rd or 4th gear then rock the car to and fro. Any movement will get it past the dead spot. Check how the yellow wire was jumped. If it has a crimp fitting you may have some corrosion build up on that connection. If your solenoid is Chinese, 86 it. I used one and it petered out quite soon. Also, it could be the switch. If so it will get worse with time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[emerygt350]

Mine is already starting to go and it isn't even a year old. Sigh. Going with one of those new fangled starters next time.

[Geezer914]

Installed new 6 volt Ford Solenoid and changed the wires from the starter to the solenoid. Turn the key, gauges move but will not start. No clicking at the starter. Tested the yellow wire, I have 10.86 volts when the key is turned to the start position. At this point am I correct to assume it is the starter??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

[Superhawk996]

Installed new 6 volt Ford Solenoid and changed the wires from the starter to the solenoid. Turn the key, gauges move but will not start. No clicking at the starter. Tested the yellow wire, I have 10.86 volts when the key is turned to the start position. At this point am I correct to assume it is the starter??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

Nope

If the starter isn’t engaging and loading the electrical system, you should be getting battery voltage at the end of the yellow solenoid wire.

You’ve got excessive voltage drop going on for sure.


Could be in the switch, could be in the yellow solenoid wire, could be in the ground strap, could be in the battery cables. Or a combination of all the above


To verify the starter motor and solenoid operation:

To test both motor and solenoid:
If you short a screwdriver or jumper cable from 12v battery B+ side of the starter solenoid, to where the yelllow solenoid wire terminal is, does the solenoid pull in and does the motor spin?

To test the starter motor only:
If you short a screwdriver or jumper cable from B+ on the starter directly over to the motor terminal does the motor spin?

[NOTE] if you get nothing - from either of those tests - use jumper cable from Battery negative to engine case and re-try.

For safety - all the above is done with wheels in the air or with trans in neutral and wheels chocked. Be careful!

[Geezer914]

What should be the voltage at the end of the yellow wire?

[Spoke]

Installed new 6 volt Ford Solenoid and changed the wires from the starter to the solenoid. Turn the key, gauges move but will not start. No clicking at the starter. Tested the yellow wire, I have 10.86 volts when the key is turned to the start position. At this point am I correct to assume it is the starter??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

I believe the yellow wire is connected to the coil of the solenoid. If so, it just means the relay should be on. Check the voltage of the wire going to the bendix on the starter.

[Geezer914]

Thanks for the replies. Will test out the starter tomorrow morning when it is cooler. Heat wave in South Jersey.

[Superhawk996]

What should be the voltage at the end of the yellow wire?

Without the stater motor running and loading the electrical system - it should be battery voltage

12v

[930cabman]

What should be the voltage at the end of the yellow wire?

12V when energized. IIRC this is fed from the relay board and can possibly check it there also

[Geezer914]

So if I have battery voltage at the yellow wire when the ignition switch is turn to start, I can rule out the ignition switch and turn my attention to the starter.

[Shivers]

So if I have battery voltage at the yellow wire when the ignition switch is turn to start, I can rule out the ignition switch and turn my attention to the starter.

Cleaning all the hots and grounds could fix it and it is free. Other than the sore back later

[904svo]

Check the engine ground strap on the transmission, if the ground is missing the car will
not start.

[sdoolin]

Watching/reading this thread as I am having a very similar problem although it manifested itself differently. Turn key, lights and fuel pump work, nothing at the starter. Battery is good (12.48 V). I will ck the things described above.

[930cabman]

So if I have battery voltage at the yellow wire when the ignition switch is turn to start, I can rule out the ignition switch and turn my attention to the starter.

I would say yes, but if the issue is intermittent anything goes. If you can confirm 12V at the yellow wire when the key is in the start position at all times, it must be the solenoid.