Random starter trouble

[trebor75]

I have a random and really annoying problem with my starter. Sometimes it will just click when I turn the key, don't matter if its hot or cold. What I have to do then is to turn over the engine a little by hand to get it to dis-engage (dont know the correct english for this, hope you understand) and try again.

The thing is, the starter is relatively newly gone through by a company, and, when it will click it is also like I loose all the power in the electrical system. If I try immidiatley after it’s clicked nothing happens, the oil pressure indicator on the dash will go out and the key buzzer will go really weak. So, I dis-engage the negative ground on the battery and turn over the engine, put the negative back and then it will fire right up. This problem occurs totally randomly. I have checked the contacts on the starter, I have checked the contacts on the trans. I have ground from the battery to chassi, battery to engine and engine to chassi.

Any ideas? I guess it could be the starter after all, but is it not a little strange that I loose the power altogether after its clicked? The battery is fresh by the way.

It’s a 1970 Duster with a 65 273 Commando and 727.

 

[RedFish]

Question has this car ever had a aftermarket security system added ?
I ask because a girl friend of mine had a similar problem with a little Nissan pick up truck. She/we never knew the remnants of such a security system was still wired in under the dash. It wasn't discovered until after I installed a new starter.
Funny thing is.. For a couple years She had got out and rocked the truck. All she really needed to do was open and close the drivers door again. Cycling the dome lamp circuit was resetting the security unit.
I really don't think your turning the engine by hand is having any effect on the electrical operation of the starter.

 

[msaund69]

If all the electrical dies when this happens its likely an issue with the positive or negative cables and or their associated connection. Look at both battery connections ( also actual battery posts. One may be loose), negative to engine and chassis etc...

 

[RedFish]

If all the electrical dies when this happens its likely an issue with the positive or negative cables and or their associated connection. Look at both battery connections ( also actual battery posts. One may be loose), negative to engine and chassis etc...

That's a very good guess. Any replacement battery cable terminals are highly suspect.

 

[trebor75]

Question has this car ever had a aftermarket security system added ?
I ask because a girl friend of mine had a similar problem with a little Nissan pick up truck. She/we never knew the remnants of such a security system was still wired in under the dash. It wasn't discovered until after I installed a new starter.
Funny thing is.. For a couple years She had got out and rocked the truck. All she really needed to do was open and close the drivers door again. Cycling the dome lamp circuit was resetting the security unit.
I really don't think your turning the engine by hand is having any effect on the electrical operation of the starter.

No, not to my knowledge and I have been under the dash several times but have not seen any wiring of that sort. I have to turn over the engine sometimes because the starter has engaged, but not fully, and then it wont snapp back. It's a little hard for me to explain, english not being my language. Thanks for the input!

If all the electrical dies when this happens its likely an issue with the positive or negative cables and or their associated connection. Look at both battery connections ( also actual battery posts. One may be loose), negative to engine and chassis etc...

Thanks, I will go through everything again thoroughly. I have been wanting to buy a mini starter because I thought it was the starter, but it's unnecessary to spend the money if it really is the wiring of course.

 

[mopar head]

First I`d verify battery is good with a load test.
You know your solonoid is hanging up,= probably bad.
When it happens, test the solonoid to see if it`s getting power with key in run position. It should not.
I think you`ll be looking at a new starter

 

[TrailBeast]

You wouldn't happen to have any of these temporary cable ends on it?

 

[67Dart273]

Try to test "in place" without disturbing anything. You might have a simple bad connection someplace---even inside a cable you can't see, and moving it when you disconnect.

When it quits, take a screwdriver, and jam down between the terminals right on the starter

You should be able to tell by sound and "spark" what the trouble is

Weak spark and "buzzy click" means weak battery or bad cables

Good spark but one click means trouble right in the starter itself. Bad solenoid or internal starter trouble.

 

[trebor75]

Thanks for all the input and suggestions. I'm gonna look into all of them. I have one of those switches on the negative battery terminal. First thing I'll do is to get rid of that then. I wish I had some pics, but I dont right now. I'll be snapping some next time I can work on it.

Thanks again!

 

[TrailBeast]

Thanks for all the input and suggestions. I'm gonna look into all of them. I have one of those switches on the negative battery terminal. First thing I'll do is to get rid of that then. I wish I had some pics, but I dont right now. I'll be snapping some next time I can work on it.

Thanks again!

That would be an excellent place to start.

 

[krazykuda]

I agree with a loose wire somewhere or a bad battery.

If not either of those, then I would start to suspect the starter. Just because it was rebuilt, doesn't mean it was done right. When my son got his valiant, he bought a new alternator and it didn't work. Returned it and then asked them to test the "new" one before we took it home, it was bad - right off of the shelf. We had to go to different outlets of that store and three in a row right off the shelf could not pass the alternator load test.

We then went to an old "Ma & Pa" shop that I knew from the old days who does a great job and tests them before giving them back to you. BINGO! It worked fine the first time!

If you find a good reliable builder - cling on to him like grim death.

 

[trebor75]

Took some time, but today I went over all the grounds and also the cables going to the battery poles, connections to the starter etc. Got rid of the switch, took everything apart, spliced fresh cables, cleaned and sanded every ground point and connection point etc. The starter have not clicked so far after this. Thanks for the help!

 

[KitCarlson]

Great!