1980 SC does not start :-(

[hpmad]

Hello,

my car is not starting :-( I can distinctly hear the 'clack' of the starter solenoid, but that is all...

here is the story.

I got my tires changed (I do not see why it would have had any effect on the whole thing, but who knows).
I pick up the car, drives to pickup my son at daycare on a freezing day.
then the car does not start :-(... (I walk home, in freezing weather with my 20 month old...)
later on, we tow the car back home and I am able to 'pull start it' (as my wife car is pulling with her car)...

Since the car has 110K on it and the starter has shown the usual signs of failing (does not always start when hot in hot weather...) and since I Can hear the 'clack' of the solenoid when turning the ignition key, I order a new starter and install it. but, the same symptoms persists and the car still does not start...

while looking around, I also notice that an electric cable which is connected toward the front of the transmission (green connector, which I would guess is a transmission oil temp or pressure, or maybe reverse gear sender) has been pulled (broken) loose. I have not fixed this yet (it's hard as I have very little clearance under the car)...


any ideas, pointers, as to what to do next, what to check/test?

thanks, cyrille

[Walter_Middie]

cyrille,

Here's what I would read and follow to troubleshoot:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_starter_diag/mult_starter_diag.htm
It could be just a dead battery or loose ground cable - you'll have to do some investigation work.