garage queen with intermittent starting problem

tmctguer · tmctguer's Garage

I KNOW, I KNOW............you're supposed to DRIVE your cars !!!! (flame me later)

here is one for the electrical savvy folks:

i have a garage queen ('89 speedster) that i drive VERY infrequently. i have a 2 year old battery in it that i have charged approx. every 4 months due to it draining in between times i drive the vehicle.

in the past, i have been able to put the battery on a charger, and the car will start right up. however this time, the car exhibited unique behavior when i tried to start it.

when the key was turned, i could hear the starter attempting to turn. but it would not turn. i tried it several times with the same result. i assumed the battery had lost its charge and went to start my other P-car. thinking i would give it one more try, i turned the key again, and this time the starter worked as normal and the car started right up. there was no sign of a weak battery-driven starter.

i drove it for about 30 minutes, and when i attempted to re-start the car after sitting for about 15 minutes, it exhibited the same behavior -- turn the key a few times with nothing but a click. after a few more tries, the car starts right up.

when i stopped driving the car for the morning, i tried to immediately start the car after turning it off. it fired right up. however, 8 hours later i tried to start it and the symptoms started again (several key turns before the starter works and the car starts). ditto for the next day when it sat overnight.

the car has very low miles on it, and is not driven often. i'm looking for ideas:

1). could the starter be freezing up due to lack of use?

2). could the connections to the solenoid be corroded?

3). could the soleniod be freezing up due to lack of use?

4). could my battery be dying from being drained/charged over a 2 year period?

any ideas would be appreciated.

GB83SC · 09-20-2003, 05:43 PM

Sounds like a solenoid issue. Make sure the starter contacts are clean.
And you know drive the car please!

Bob's Flat-Six · Bob's Flat-Six's Garage

I would check the battery first. Did it take a full charge?

Allenk · 09-20-2003, 07:10 PM

Sounds like battery. Disconnect if you are letting it sit for a while. There is always something causing a draw(even a wiring fault).

tmctguer · tmctguer's Garage

i was leaning against the battery being the problem since it eventually starts right up with the starter turning very strong.

Allenk · 09-21-2003, 12:03 PM

Timing?

GB83SC · 09-21-2003, 12:14 PM

If you are leaning towards the battery, drive the car to any auto parts they can test it for free right in the parking lot.

mjshira · 09-21-2003, 02:37 PM

solenoid.

Icemaster · Icemaster's Garage

Solenoid going out, or connector corroded.

My $0.02 - I'd try to find out whats causing the drain. I've let my '85 ( and other sleds) go for longer than that without a charge and never had a problem starting them up.

tmctguer · tmctguer's Garage

i am with Icemaster. i'm going to try to check out the soleniod. i've looked at the Bentley manual and it looksl like a real pain in the *ss to get to! in order to change the starter, it recommends that the tranny be dropped 6 inches.

anyone with experience with a starter and/or solenoid change on an '89 911? can you do with it without lowering the engine?