Stranded in Hayward, CA - Help?

ikarcuaso · 02:02 PM

Hey fellow
Pelicans, my 82 SC won't start here in Hayward, and my son and I are stranded. If anyone is able to help, that would be awesome. My 1st guess is an ignition prob. Thx.

Mike

Edit --
Well, I was able to get it started. So much for cruising around on a sunny, Sunday afternoon.

When the car wouldn't start, when I turned the key, I noticed I didn't hear that buzzing sound I normally would before actually trying to crank the engine. That's what made me think there's an ignition problem.

Anyway, any suggestions? Could I simply need to replace the ground strap? Because it finally started after several failed attempts, does that rule out certain problems (where failure is usually more absolute)? TIA for any help.

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Can't help, but posted this to the BAP email list.

Don

Brother · 08-27-2006, 02:46 PM

It kind of sounds like an overheated starter.

Did you finally start it with the key or by pushing the car?

Could you see any lights dim when you turned the key?

Rockafella · Rockafella's Garage

My guess is the CD box. That is the whine you hear when the ignition is turned to the on position even before the car is started. It is electronic, so intermittent failure is possible.

Get a loaner and try it out. It is easy to swap. Left side of the engine compartment next to the black plastic cover over the relays.

edgemar · 08-27-2006, 03:26 PM

Fuel pump relay...same symptoms replaced CD box and still had the problem. Replaced FP relay and cleaned all connections going to it solved the problem.

Zeke · 03:44 PM

First, you need to source out the "whine" you usually hear. On my old '77, it was the fuel pump under the rock guard by the steering rack. Or, as Rockafella says, a CD box from the rear. One or the other. Then, check all connections before swapping any parts. You might pull off a connection and it may look OK, but that could have been the one giving you the problem. So, go slow so you can see if there's anything unusual about any of the connections. Of course, a broken wire inside the sheathing is hard to see. Before reattaching, use Warren's (Early_S_Man) recipe for a cleaning solution and then apply some of his recommended dielectric silicone to the connections.

Then, you might try getting the car real warm again not too far from home and with a cell phone in case. If no problems, all you can do is go with it until something happens. It and when it does, you will know where to go and what to do. I guess you could carry a spare CD box around with you, a lot of people do.

Edit: Here is Warrne's recipe:
"........and pull apart every connector ... do the Q-tips & 9% vinegar, distilled water, compressed air dry, followed by 91% isopropyl alcohol cleaning treatment, followed by testing (snip)....... to be sure the problem is gone, then coat all of the connector pins with Dow Corning 4, 111, or 112 silicone grease."

ikarcuaso · 08-27-2006, 03:55 PM

Guys, thanks for the input.

OK, I will start w/the fuel pump relay, and then the CD box. I didn't have to push the car, just used the key.

My parents live nearby, so we came here. I've tried w/o success to re-create the problem - driving around, returning to the house, and trying to re-start the car. Haven't had the same trouble again...yet, anyway.

It sucks driving around and being paranoid about shutting the engine off and not being able to start it again. Can't even get gas or stop at 7-11 w/o fear.

Anyway, thx. again.

ikarcuaso · 08-27-2006, 04:31 PM

So I checked out the fuel pump relay on the relay board in the frunk. It was not plugged in completely flush, although the car has has been starting fine after I was temporarily stranded.

I pulled it out, tried to start the car, and the symptoms were exactly like when I had starting trouble earlier. I put the relay back in. All seems OK now, but I ordered a replacement anyway.

Thanks again.