Man, this starting problem is driving me crazy! HELP!!
 

Here the deal....
Its a 1973.5T converted to one 12-volt battery. Brand new battery, new ignition switch (electrical), new ground stap on the battery and from the tranny to the engine/frame, and today I installed the "hot start kit". Alternator replaced two years ago and tested fine.

What is happening is that the car was starting just fine and running well. No drain on the battery. Anytime after a string run or down the street to the store the car would not start. Click, click, click.....I hate that sound!!!! However, it started everytime I jumped it with another battery.

I thought the "hot start relay kit" would solve the problem as the kit allows more power to the solenoid. The cars wiring is original and the consensus has always been, "voltage drop" along the circuit with older systems. Funny, after I installed the kit today, the car started up, over and over again in the garage, then after a short run and shut off,.....click, click clcik of the old solenoid started singing those sounds of bummer!

I carried a spare battery in the trunk just for backup, and it jumped started in a flash. It always goes on the jump start. That extra power that is lacking or hampered somewhere.

I have not placed any instruments to measure anything thus far, but I am getting a drop somewhere, and I am thinking voltage regulator this time.

If anyone has suffered from these same syptoms, or has worked with this problem, please let me know where to go next..............

Regards
Bob :confused:

How old is your starter & solenoid?

Sounds like the starter may need a cleaning ( do a search, others have explained it before) or you need a new solenoid. I experienced similar problems, exept it didn't click, just dead. Then if I would let it cool for 40-60 minutes it started right up. A new starter solved the problem, but I could have gotten by with just cleaning & a new solenoid.

The high-torque reduction starters are nice. Less amps, spins faster, and is lighter.

Bob,
When wires heat up their resistance increases. I have had similar problems in the past with a variety of older cars. I always traced the problem to corroded battery cables especially the cable going to the starter motor. The copper oxidizes(green stuff at ends of cable) and when it gets hot ,not enough current goes through to start the car. To check-run a jumper cable from the positive terminal of your battery to the starter when the car doesn't start. If the car starts then repace your cable and it will probably solve your problem. Good Luck

Jim

Small cracks in the battery cables can allow corrosion to sneak in and reduce effectiveness. Replacing both the + and - cables will not hurt.

Have you tried a BFH rap on the solenoid when it does not start? Older solenoids get gummed up and need a little persuasion when warm. Sometimes an R&R on the solenoid with a di-electric grease replacement helps wonders.

I had the same problem. Chased it for months. Two new CarQuest starters, no help. Finally listened to a good Porsche wrench. Replaced with NEW Bosch starter. Never a problem since.

I called numerous mechanics in the area I have used over the years and gave them the symptoms. All of them said, "starter" and all suggested moving up to the higher and lighter H.P. unit. Price ranges were comparable for the Bosch rebuilt units.

I have cleaned the cable connections, installed a new wire post fitting after cutting off an inch of old stuff on the cable to the battery end. With the "Hot Start Kit", the concentration of spark to the solenois is like a jack hammer compared to what it was like before I installed the kit. Its a bang more then a click! That tells me at least that the kit does work as far as concentrating more energy to the solenoid. I have yet to beat the crap out of the starter with a hammer yet, but getting close!

My son's starter went this way as well despite all the tests and some preplacements. When the solenoid is shot, it gives up the ghost in a strange way. Its good to know though it lasted 30 years heh? I show no record from the previous owner of a starter replacement,

Appreciate the feedback fellas.

Regards
Bob
73.5TSmileWavy

Actually it's the soleniod that's the culprit. It's a lot cheaper than a whole new starter and, at least in my case, solved my no start problem that had me going crazy too.

Cheers,

Joe Garcia
Redwood PCA since 1976
86 Carrera

The solenoid cannot be replaced on these starters. I may just have to opt for a new starter.

Bob

Mine was the Bosche 1.5 ps starter that had a removable solenoid. You might double check your starter.

Joe

If the solenoid cannot be replaced, then that starter cannot be rebuilt. I've never heard of that. Disassembly and cleaning nearly always makes a starter work perfectly again. Sure, they wear out, but a good cleaning typically extends the life of the starter immensely.

I am back to square one fellas. I had to jump start the car in my garage to drive it to the shop. It has started up for them on every first try like a well tuned clock for the last two days, while I get the half shaft replaced.
Everything checked out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS NUTS.............alternator okay, voltage regulator okay, main cable to the starter no loss, starter works........................NOW WHAT? One thing they did not do is get the system nice and hot and then re-start..

As anyone ever performed an exercism on a 911 before?

Bob

As I mentioned earlier, I had this exact hot start problem. It is my understanding that heat expands the solenoid shaft and eventually It gets to the point that it just cant move far enough to engage and make the circuit to the windings. A new starter or a rebuilt starter with a NEW bosch solenoid solved the problem. American replacement starters work for a while but develope the same problem fairly quickly. Possibly the HI Torque starters work, but I cant say from experience.

Indeed, when it comes to the clickclickclick starter phenomenon, heat soaking is the key. At minus 500 degrees Kelvin, everything becomes a superconductor. Of course, gasoline is a solid, but that's beside the point.

Hey Superman! No click when this happens, the solenoid binds before it moves far enough to make circuit. All bets are off if we go superconducting ;-)

Sunroof, With the car jacked up, have someone turn the key and hold it. Then tap starter firmly (not too hard) with a hammer, if the starter kicks in, its the solenoid binding.

I thought there was clicking. If anyone experiences the problem of hitting the key and nothing happens, I strongly recommend verifying that the yellow wire is getting voltage to the starter, or at least wiggling the two square plugs in the engine compartment. Three times now, my car has failed to start just because this square plug is not making a good connection. I think it is the plug near the engine compartment fuse box. Perhaps your square plug is where the demon resides.

Superman...where are these plugs a d yellow wires you speak of?

In my engine compartment there are two rectangular, multi-post plugs. One between the engine and the firewall, and one on the side of the engine compartment fuse box, just under the left edge of the decklid. Brown in color. Each has two rows of pins, about a dozen altogether. Unplug and replug these two. Make sure they get replugged correctly (they can be replugged incorrectly). If your starting problem has been simply not making any noise, no clicking, no nuthin', and if you have not verified that the fat yellow wire at the starter is getting voltage when the key is turned, then my guess is that fat yellow wire is not getting voltage, and the rectangular plug very likely is where the bad connection is. I hope this has been your problem, though it will be somewhat aggravating if you have struggled all this time with a problem that was actually this simple.

My mechanic has come in every morning for the last three days now and says the car starts right up! Okay, that did not happen in my garage for awhile..................The drawdown is more of an issue with higher temperatures, but when the system is stone cold?

Perhaps the solenoid did bind up and and with a jump start was jolted into working. All wiring now appears sound, alternator doing its thing, so it must be a tempermental starter.

It all becomes full circle again. By the way, I have no idea what plugs your referring to.

Bob

I still say solenoid.