Ignition switch? Starter solenoid?
04-26-2021, 10:43 AM
#1
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Car: 1986 IROC Z
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto
Ignition switch? Starter solenoid?
This has been an intermittent problem until yesterday and it became permanent. When I turn the key, nothing happens except the emergency brake light comes on and the temp gauge pins out. No clicks or anything from the starter or under the hood.
It used to do it two or three times then the car would start. I had to use the old screwdriver across the starter trick to get her home. Ideas??
Thanks
It used to do it two or three times then the car would start. I had to use the old screwdriver across the starter trick to get her home. Ideas??
Thanks
04-26-2021, 11:27 AM
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Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: Ignition switch? Starter solenoid?
http://austinthirdgen.org/mkportal/m...ine_wiring.gif
Grab a test light and work your way starting from the ign switch would be my suggestion. Make sure you have good connections and wiring there too.
Grab a test light and work your way starting from the ign switch would be my suggestion. Make sure you have good connections and wiring there too.
04-26-2021, 03:46 PM
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Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: Ignition switch? Starter solenoid?
My fault, grabbed the wrong link
http://austinthirdgen.org/mkportal/m..._continued.gif
http://austinthirdgen.org/mkportal/m..._continued.gif
04-26-2021, 05:46 PM
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Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Ignition switch? Starter solenoid?
If you do the test light (or voltmeter or whatever) test and find that 12V is making it to the S terminal, time for a starter.
I used to always rebuild my starters. Solenoids if they needed it, brushes, drives, bushings, you name it. But once in awhile, a starter would do exactly what you describe. And it was TERMINAL. No amount of "rebuilding" would bring it back.
Used to know somebody that owned a BIG rebuilder of such things. BIG.. Like, AutoZone sized big. (although this was decades ago, before AutoZone was even a gleam in Malone & Hyde's eye) I asked him what made a starter do that he told me there was no way he'd reveal that; if he did, I'd never buy a starter again.
Moral of the story is, don't be surprised if you just have to buy a starter.
I used to always rebuild my starters. Solenoids if they needed it, brushes, drives, bushings, you name it. But once in awhile, a starter would do exactly what you describe. And it was TERMINAL. No amount of "rebuilding" would bring it back.
Used to know somebody that owned a BIG rebuilder of such things. BIG.. Like, AutoZone sized big. (although this was decades ago, before AutoZone was even a gleam in Malone & Hyde's eye) I asked him what made a starter do that he told me there was no way he'd reveal that; if he did, I'd never buy a starter again.
Moral of the story is, don't be surprised if you just have to buy a starter.
04-26-2021, 06:15 PM
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Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: Ignition switch? Starter solenoid?
If you do the test light (or voltmeter or whatever) test and find that 12V is making it to the S terminal, time for a starter.
I used to always rebuild my starters. Solenoids if they needed it, brushes, drives, bushings, you name it. But once in awhile, a starter would do exactly what you describe. And it was TERMINAL. No amount of "rebuilding" would bring it back.
Used to know somebody that owned a BIG rebuilder of such things. BIG.. Like, AutoZone sized big. (although this was decades ago, before AutoZone was even a gleam in Malone & Hyde's eye) I asked him what made a starter do that he told me there was no way he'd reveal that; if he did, I'd never buy a starter again.
Moral of the story is, don't be surprised if you just have to buy a starter.
I used to always rebuild my starters. Solenoids if they needed it, brushes, drives, bushings, you name it. But once in awhile, a starter would do exactly what you describe. And it was TERMINAL. No amount of "rebuilding" would bring it back.
Used to know somebody that owned a BIG rebuilder of such things. BIG.. Like, AutoZone sized big. (although this was decades ago, before AutoZone was even a gleam in Malone & Hyde's eye) I asked him what made a starter do that he told me there was no way he'd reveal that; if he did, I'd never buy a starter again.
Moral of the story is, don't be surprised if you just have to buy a starter.
04-27-2021, 03:32 PM
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Car: 1986 IROC Z
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto
Re: Ignition switch? Starter solenoid?
If you do the test light (or voltmeter or whatever) test and find that 12V is making it to the S terminal, time for a starter.
I used to always rebuild my starters. Solenoids if they needed it, brushes, drives, bushings, you name it. But once in awhile, a starter would do exactly what you describe. And it was TERMINAL. No amount of "rebuilding" would bring it back.
Used to know somebody that owned a BIG rebuilder of such things. BIG.. Like, AutoZone sized big. (although this was decades ago, before AutoZone was even a gleam in Malone & Hyde's eye) I asked him what made a starter do that he told me there was no way he'd reveal that; if he did, I'd never buy a starter again.
Moral of the story is, don't be surprised if you just have to buy a starter.
I used to always rebuild my starters. Solenoids if they needed it, brushes, drives, bushings, you name it. But once in awhile, a starter would do exactly what you describe. And it was TERMINAL. No amount of "rebuilding" would bring it back.
Used to know somebody that owned a BIG rebuilder of such things. BIG.. Like, AutoZone sized big. (although this was decades ago, before AutoZone was even a gleam in Malone & Hyde's eye) I asked him what made a starter do that he told me there was no way he'd reveal that; if he did, I'd never buy a starter again.
Moral of the story is, don't be surprised if you just have to buy a starter.
04-27-2021, 03:52 PM
#7
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Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: LO3
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Ignition switch? Starter solenoid?
The solenoid is supposed to do electrically what you are doing manually with the screwdriver. If it doesn't do it you either need to replace the solenoid if you can still get them, or the whole starter
if not.
if not.
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04-27-2021, 03:58 PM
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Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: Ignition switch? Starter solenoid?
edit, unless he's jumping straight from the power cable to the starter motor terminal.
Last edited by aliceempire; 04-27-2021 at 04:09 PM.
04-27-2021, 05:30 PM
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04-27-2021, 06:13 PM
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Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: Ignition switch? Starter solenoid?
at first I was wondering what you were talking about and then I had a *duh, I'm dumb" moment and added my edit. I'm not sure which terminal OP jumped but I assumed S terminal and here we are.
I would think if he jumped straight to the motor terminal then the gear wouldn't kick out.
I would think if he jumped straight to the motor terminal then the gear wouldn't kick out.
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