'79 SC --Starter Woes -- Help please

[lespaul]

1978 SC. I have had no starting problems since I bought the high torque starter about a year ago ------ until yesterday.

Drove about 4 hours, with 5 stops. Started up every time. Sixth stop was a problem. Turned key and no start -- heard the fuel pump humm and head lights and other lights work but not even a click. Got some kids to push start me. Started right up and I drove another 1.5 hours. Got home, turned off the car and tried to start it. Same as before. No click, just the fuel pump humming.

Battery tested - ok. Cleaned terminals and ground strap at battery and ground strap at transmission.

Jiggled key in ignition with headlights on to see if they flickered. No.

Loosened, but did not remove two bolts holding starter to car and jiggled. That did nothing.

Note --- I have a "hot start relay kit" I installed when I had the OEM starter. I left it on when I installed the high torque starter. Checked all connections on starter. They are clean. Cleaned the hot start relay kit ground.

I can pull the starter and check it but before I do the transmission hug, I am wondering if I missing something really simple? Any suggestions?

Thanks

Brad

[lespaul]

Read some threads and cleaning 14 pin connector was suggested. Cleaned it -- not the problem.

Will try direct connection from battery to starter tomorrow. Anything to be concerned about?

[Mark Salvetti]

How about the good old whack on the starter with a hammer? Quick and easy, if that works you know it's the starter.

Mark

[lespaul]

I put my multimeter on the big spade on the starter - the spade with the thick black wire and grounded the other prong of the multimeter and it read 12.9 V. So -- I guess sufficient voltage is getting from the batter to the starter. Is my problem the solenoid?

How can I use the multimeter to test the solenoid? Do I have someone turn the key to "Start" while I have on prong of multimeter on solenoid spade and one prong grounded? If so, what should it read?

Or could my problem be at the ignition switch. It appears I can test that by running a wire direct from the batter to the solenoid? or the starter?

Tx

Brad

[lespaul]

Thanks Mark. I will try that but it is essentially a brand new (one year old) high torque starter.

[markhoward]

Check the ground strap. Had a similar issue a while back solved by cleaning the connections.

[lespaul]

Thanks Mark. Already tried that.

[pete3799]

Try bypassing the hot start relay.

[SkiVT]

Different symptoms but a good way to test the ignition

CIS Hard Cold Start - If You've Ever Had This Problem PLEASE READ THIS

[pete3799]

You should have 12+ volts at the starter (black arrow). The yellow wire should have 12+ volts with the ignition switch in the start position (yellow arrow). If you don't have 12+volts at the yellow wire (in the start position) use a jumper wire and connect the black and yellow. The starter should spin.

[lespaul]

Very helpful. Thanks Pete. One question, when you say "start position", does that mean with the key turned fully as if starting the engine or simply in the "run" position. To be clear, if "start" means turning the key fully then I need a second person to turn the key while I check the voltage -- correct?

[pete3799]

Originally Posted by lespaul

Very helpful. Thanks Pete. One question, when you say "start position", does that mean with the key turned fully as if starting the engine or simply in the "run" position. To be clear, if "start" means turning the key fully then I need a second person to turn the key while I check the voltage -- correct?

Yes you'll need someone to turn the key to the start position while you check for voltage
at the starter.

[lespaul]

Excellent. Thanks again Pete. I will report back once I sort this out.

[lespaul]

Ok. Yes 12.59 V on black wire. No 12 V (no reading) on yellow wire in start position. Jumping black with yellow spun the starter. Where am I? Does it make sense to take off the hot start relay kit? Could that be the problem?

[lespaul]

Thanks to everyone for your help. I deleted the "hot start relay" and my car started right up!

[Superman]

Originally Posted by lespaul

Ok. Yes 12.59 V on black wire. No 12 V (no reading) on yellow wire in start position. Jumping black with yellow spun the starter. Where am I? Does it make sense to take off the hot start relay kit? Could that be the problem?

I am glad the OP identified the problem. Now I have a question for the brain trust: What is this "hot start relay kit?" Are we simply talking about the common upgrade of installing a relay so that current to the solenoid does not have to flow through the ignition switch?