It finally happened, Starter question Options

[jimtab]

On the way back from the wcc after 5 straight hours on the 5 I stopped for a late dinner in Gilroy, when I came back out the biach wouldn't start, plenty of juice but no crank. I got it push started with some local help. When I got home I restarted twice so I thought...hot start problem....but no.....when I tried to start it yesterday am it was the same as in Gilroy, juice but no crank. Sooooo, where do I start to look, the starter, loose wires, which wires? I guess the car just found out I'm gonna get the body and paint done and couldn't stand ti anymore.....three years down the drain....spoiled a perfect record. Help! Thanks, Jim

[Rand]

There are quite a few threads on this. As for me, I would not start throwing parts at it until I knew what was wrong. Bad connections are a common cause and cheap to fix. On my 914 it was a cracked ignition switch, which seems to be pretty common on these cars.

I ruled out the starter, solenoid, battery, connections, etc., in one minute by putting the car in neutral and doing the screwdriver trick on the starter (put shank of screwdriver on hot post and slide tip into solenoid contact where large yellow wire connects). It cranked, so I knew it had to be the ignition switch or a fault in the circuit between switch and solenoid.

If it doesn't crank this way, then check for 12v at the starter. Clean connections at braided ground strap. Clean the battery terminals. There's more, so check a couple things and let us know what you find. Good luck!

(IMG:http://4nets.com/baldwinpowersports/images/starterscrewdriver.jpg)