Occasional starting problem

[Jerome P.]

Once in a while all I get is only a very brief click noise when trying to start my ‘72. After a couple of times trying, the starter finally engages and the engine fires up. I hesitate not going any where for fear the car will not start if turned off.
The battery is brand new. All electrical connections have been checked and cleaned. Does this sound like a solenoid going bad?

Any thoughts or comments will be appreciated.

[Frank D.]

Re: Occasional starting problem

Could well be a solenoid or a starter drive...
Starter drives can be purchased separately (and cheaply); there is also a copper contact point in the nose of the solenoid that can be flipped (if it hasn't been done already) to provide a fresh electrical contact point for current. (An old mechanic's trick).

This assumes a decent battery and cables with no corrosion.

[Edward J.]

Re: Occasional starting problem

Jerome, I agree with Frank if it is the correct starter and solenoid I would look up a local rebuilder and bring to him for a rebuild and explain to him the importance on the numbers matching. If it’s a correct part number solenoid that makes even important. The solenoid can be dissay. And the contacts cleaned or replaced.

[Frank D.]

Re: Occasional starting problem

Good point, having numbered starter housings is rare enough but an original solenoid ? Quite the find as they were routinely swapped out for across-the-counter generic replacements over 50 years (before numbers mattered much), I did it countless times myself.

[Jerome P.]

Re: Occasional starting problem

Based on what I have described in my OP do either of you think it could be anything else? I know this is a very open-ended question but I thought I would ask it anyway.

I have a guy that, in that both the starter and the solenoid are original, will rebuild if required.

Thanks again for your feedback.

[Lawrence S.]

Re: Occasional starting problem

To me it sounds like the solenoid. I have had the same problem as you are describing in more than one car and in most cases was the solenoid.

[Jerome P.]

Re: Occasional starting problem

If it is the solenoid will it completely fail in time? Ii remember many years ago (1960's) this happening, but I do not recall that it completely failed.

Again, I had to ask.

[Mike E.]

Re: Occasional starting problem

Generally. a brief click and nothing is a solenoid, while a spinning noise without the motor turning over is the starter drive.

[Frank D.]

Re: Occasional starting problem

If it is the solenoid will it completely fail in time? Ii remember many years ago (1960's) this happening, but I do not recall that it completely failed.

Again, I had to ask.

Almost certainly, if its the copper contact in the solenoid, it'll continue to wear until current is no longer passed; if its a weak starter drive it'll keep giving you trouble and get worse - and its prob not great for the flywheel teeth either.

Not problems you are going to outlive - again, this assumes that battery/cables and connections are good.

[Joe L.]

Re: Occasional starting problem

If it is the solenoid will it completely fail in time? Ii remember many years ago (1960's) this happening, but I do not recall that it completely failed.

Again, I had to ask.

Jerry-----


You can easily completely rebuild the solenoid yourself using some or all of the parts contained in kit GM #19140079. About 25 bucks at GM or Delco dealers.

[Jerome P.]

Re: Occasional starting problem

Thanks to all, really helpful.

[Jerome P.]

Re: Occasional starting problem

The solenoid issue has been resolved.

Now, I have a starting issue at the steering column ignition switch. Turn the switch to start - nothing happens. A slight tape on the column above the switch does the trick. Probably a bad connection and/or a dirty connection, I think. Are there any thoughts short of pulling the ignition switch to rectify?

Thanks

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Occasional starting problem

[QUOTE=Jerome Pederson (46381);873628]The solenoid issue has been resolved.
Now, I have a starting issue at the steering column ignition switch. Turn the switch to start - nothing happens. A slight tape on the column above the switch does the trick. Probably a bad connection and/or a dirty connection, I think. Are there any thoughts short of pulling the ignition switch to rectify?
Jerry,
When you refer to the "switch" are you referring to the lock cylinder or the actual switch which is located further down the column? I had a similar issue after putting my steering column back in my 69 where I turned the key and nothing. Turned out that the actual switch itself is adjustable, up and down, and, in my case, was either too high or too low (I don't remember) on the column. It's been quite a while but I recall that the switch was connected to the lock cylinder by a rod (please someone jump in and correct me if I'm wrong) and by raising or lowering the switch on the column the switch was able to make contact. Just a thought.
Jeff

[Mark E.]

Re: Occasional starting problem

The ignition switch may need to be re-positioned, the harness connections to the switch may be poor, or the switch itself may be going bad.

The switch (the electrical part mounted on the top side of the column near the pedals) is engaged by a rod that goes down the column. When the key-lock is turned, the rod is pushed down, which then engages the switch. The amount the rod engages the switch can be adjusted by moving the switch along its slotted mounts. Try re-positioning it towards the rod and see if that works. This adjustment is a bit finicky and sometimes comes loose, especially with tilt columns.

If this doesn't help, I'd look at the switch connections to the wiring harness, then the switch itself.

[Jerome P.]